Hanson

"Underneath"

3CG Records

Grade: B

RIYL: Johnny Lang, John Mayer

The bubblegum pop days seem to be long behind the Hanson brothers.

Their third album, "Underneath," is the final step toward maturity for the trio.

The disc goes in a completely different direction from their debut album "Middle of Nowhere."

The record is produced and written by the boys, not to mention it's on their own record label. Since their second album "This Time Around" did not receive as much support as their debut album did, Hanson decided to go the indie route.

The vocals are the same -- maybe a little deeper since hitting puberty, but the overall feel of "Underneath" is pop-rock.

Although some of the songs do have a strong pop influence and the song titles may be a little unoriginal, the sound of the disc has everything from electric guitar solos to horns.

"Strong Enough to Break" opens the album with a fun start, and the record gets even better with each track ahead.

The first single off the record, "Penny and Me," shows off Taylor's vocals as well as the band's talent in piano, drums and guitar. Be looking out for this song on the top 40 charts.

"Underneath" and "Misery," two slower-paced songs, prove Hanson can take it down a notch from the happy-go-lucky songs its audiences are use to.

On the other hand, songs such as "Broken Angel" and "Deeper" show that Zac should just stick to the drums and back-up vocals. The songs are not horrible, but the listener can definitely feel like something is missing. And that something is Taylor.

The highlight of the disc is "Lost Without Each Other" and "Get Up and Go."

The song has amazing vocals from Taylor, a good, strong beat on drums care of Zac, and Isaac's guitar riffs are catchy and show how far the band has come.

With the long hair gone and zit-free faces, Hanson shows that although they may not have swarms of teenagers following their every move, they surely are not one hit wonders and are here to stay.

-- By Jordan Marshall

Staff Writer