HANSON play the Danforth Music Hall on November 9. See listing. Rating: NN
Because they reached household-name status at the height of boy-bandom, Hanson often get unfairly lumped in with harmonizing singing groups like the BSB and 98 Degrees. As much as you know that Taylor played the keys, Zac the drums and Isaac the guitar (well, at least if you’re an 80s-born female), you kinda forget they always performed all their songs with actual instruments, and wrote them to boot.
Unfortunately, their sixth studio album, Anthem, has neither the undeniably sweet earworms of their first effort nor much of the catchy soul-rock they’ve produced since. The first three songs are gritless, face-planting rock with ne’er a melody to cling to. Get The Girl Back hints at something you might want to secretly put on repeat, but ultimately Anthem doesn’t really have any. Also, Taylor – with a voice that could span pop to Motown to rock ‘n’ roll – should always sing and let his brothers chime in on backup.
Top track: Get The Girl Back
