Hanson - The Best of Hanson Live and Electric (CD & DVD)
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Free Music Notes for The Best of Hanson Live and Electric (CD & DVD)
Free Music Review: An unfortunately bland live release from a great tour
Hit: 2 Stars
I am puzzled by this album on so many levels. I honestly believe that Hanson and I were on different "Underneath" tours, sometimes. The recordings of many tracks on this record are top notch, however some seem as if they were just slapped on there as a fan service, not necessarily as a show of quality (See: "Every Word I Say" - one of Hanson's best songs, but a disappointingly bad and unspirited recording/performance). Oddly, the best tracks on this CD are the covers - "Optimistic" is the best I've ever heard it, and "In a Little While" is just an enjoyable song - as played by U2, as played by Hanson, as played by a box of spoons. As for the rest of it? I have bootlegs that are better than this CD, and that really disappoints me.
I don't really know what this "Greatest Hits" / "Live Album" is really supposed to accomplish, but since it fails to cover the only two Hanson singles worth raving about ("Lost Without Each Other" and "Weird") while simultaneously abbreviating the "Underneath" tour show to songs that, surprise, are not on "Underneath," I believe it has failed on both accounts. I enjoyed it, but the replay value is fairly small, as this is exactly their third repackaging of an album we've been listening to for two years.
All in all, I was fairly disappointed with this release.
Free Music Review: Just doesn't translate well in a live setting
Hit: 2 Stars
The Good
You get to hear fifteen of Hanson's biggest and most popular songs all on one disc. If you listen carefully, you'll discover that they are great songwriters. The Hanson brothers also pull of some great vocal melodies on songs like " Strong Enough to Break", "Underneath", and "Rock and Roll Razorblade". But...
The Bad
They sound a lot different now that they're older. Hey I'll admit it, I was a secret Hanson fan. You almost had to be if you're a guy. I had the "MmmBop", "Where's the Love", and "This Time Around" singles. I loved the brightness, high production, and musicianship of all of them. After having heard those songs live (and after the group's voices changed), I realized it's just not the same. The mix seems uneven at times, especially when the band harmonizes. On a few of the tracks (Hanson's cover of Radiohead's "Optimistic" in particular), the band is drowned out by the thunderous crowd reaction. Although, I understand how hard it must be to silence a mass a screaming girls.
The Verdict
Hanson's signature brand of well-produced, upbeat, pop rock just doesn't translate well in a live setting, plain and simple. Give me the studio versions of this material and I will eat it up for sure.