Customer Reviews

Middle of Nowhere

5 star:		(220)
4 star:		(33)
3 star:		(9)
2 star:		(10)
1 star:		(58)

 

 

first of all, i would like to say that i am not biased about this cd because of the people in the group. i heard mmmbop on the radio, liked, it, & bought the album. at this time i had never even seen the guys & i didn't know anything about them. i started liking the people of hanson after i had already fallen in love with the music. to a close-minded person, songs like the poppy "mmmbop"(by which the group is most widely known) might sound like a meaningless repetition of a meaningless word, but had they actually listened to the verses they would have seen how deceiving a catchy chorus of little meaning can be. these 11, 14, & 16 year old boys tell us to "hold on to the ones who really care cuz in the end they'll be the only ones there." in "where's the love" they solve the problem of war(see title of song). ballads like "i will come to you" don't have to relate just to a boyfriend or girlfriend like most songs these days, but can mean anyone close to you. also, many ppl see a title like "weird" & probably think it's something about aliens or something.(sorry, the alien song is in the bonus track.) "weird talks about trying to fit in in a "cookie-cutter world" & "reaching for a hand that'll understand - someone who feels the same." of course i'd like totalk about every song on this album, but i won't. i'm just hoping that you'll be open minded about people, no matter how old they are, what they look like, or how long their hair is. i personally love hanson's music & know that it doesn't matter whether or not you're accepted by the world, because even if people don't like you or them, God does. BTW, they write their own songs, play their own instrments, & make up the harmonies themselves. (sorry this review is so long)

I don't care about the looks, I'm just a fan of the music... And I'm not 12 years old, mind you, and neither are many of the other people who found "Middle of Nowhere" likable -- many adults like Hanson, too. I don't care how many CDs you have, and I don't care about your life story, either. You've got to relize something about Hanson and "Middle of Nowhere". This was written/co-written and co-produced by the band Hanson themselves, when Ike was 16, Tay was 14, and when Zac was 11. You have got to be crazy not to think that these boys (yes, they are boys) are talented. You have to admit it, even if you don't like their music. What's more, they play their own instruments. Why don't you go bother BSB or *N SYNC or something because, unlike the hard working Hanson bros., they don't write their music, they don't write their lyrics, they don't play instruments for their music, and their music isn't good anyway. But take "M.O.N.": It's not my favorite, but I really like it a lot. The songs were written from the band's personal expriences ("With You In Your Dreams" and "MMMBop"- you just have to listen to the words) and what teens really feel and think ("Weird", "Thinking of You", ect., ect.). All *N SYNC ever sings about is breaking up with some girl, still loving that girl, and wanting her back. One theme. On one of Hanson's very mature songs, "Weird" (which happens to be my favorite Hanson song), they sing about feeling left out and wishing someone was there who understood them. I don't care how old you are, everyone has felt that why or will feel that way or do feel that way. "Thinking of You" is about a boy with a crush on some girl, but can't be with her (I guess because he can't tell her how he feels about her). Everyone feels like that. "With You In Your Dreams" was written by Hanson alone for their dieing grandmother. I don't care what you say, these boys DO have talent, even if you think this CD is bad or good!

My favorits: "Weird" (my most fave), "MMMBop", "Madeline", "Yearbook", and "Look at You, Baby".

I really don't like "Thinking of You" and "Lucy", but they're okay.

The rest of the songs are really good, too.

They don't really sound like the Jackson 5, but some of Hanson's songs have a 60's and 70's sound to them. Also, "Weird", "Yearbook", "I Will Come To You", and "With You In Your Dreams" are very mature and are NOT (I repeat; NOT) "teeny-bopper"!

Middle of Nowhere has talent, young yes, but talent, energy, power and an optimism that translates through every song. This is a fun "upper" cd that doesn't deserve the snide remarks of elitest music critics. Hey, they were just getting started! My favorite songs are "Thinking of You" (this is an incredible song, I love it); "MMMBop"(of course!); "Where's the Love" (Taylor gives his all on this one!); "I Will Come to You" (everybody likes this one); "A Minute Without You" (Isaac sings lead! One of my absolute favorite Hanson songs!!) "Man From Milwaukee" (you just have to hear for yourself.)
Remember they wrote a lot (all?) of the music and played and sang it all. And they're only better with a little age. Check out their other cds, especially Underneath.

The only reason people are slagging Hanson is because they can't stand three adorable kids... who happen to have all the musical talent and skill that whiny pop-punk bands don't have an ounce of. They're just jealous of Hanson. Whomever can like Kut U Up, Blink-182, Green Day, AFI, annd Smile Empty Soul over a genuine band like Hanson just hates everyone around them because they can't get a ride to the mall. If I was like those fake, plastic goth wannabes, I'd tell them they need to lighten up before someone puts their lights out, but since I believe in tolerance and kindness, I'll just say to they should lighten up their life with Hanson. Anyway, looking at Middle of Nowhere from a fresh perspective after hearing it for the first time in '97, it's still as good as it ever was, and I'm happy to admit it stands the test of time. I hope the young generation of today can appreciate this album without getting all the "teenie bopper" flak that original Hanson fans got back when MON was first released. From all both standpoints, lyrically and especially musically, MON rocks in a very genuine way, and that's one of the highest praises I could day about a record. Sure, the Hanson boys were weren't even old enough to drive when they released it, but that shouldn't be a determining factor in whether you like what you hear on MON. I found it quite funny and spot-on when a previous reviewer likened Green Day to Clay Aiken because they're both fixated on modelng their public image and allow it sell their albums. Due to each one's lack of talent and skill, the media image they've created quite a while ago is all they can rely on for their present popularity. Billie Joe uses his dyed hair and arsehole attitude to get preteens to buy his albums and Clay Aiken uses his safe, prettyboy looks. And yeah, Hanson were adorable kids when MON swept the nation, but at least they showcased their talent and well-crafted melodies instead of trying to come up with some false image to feed audiences. If you're not familiar with Hanson, pick up Middle of Nowhere and take a listen. I'm sure you'll love it, especially now that their popularity has died out and you can listen to it with an unbiased ear.

I never liked Hanson before. I Will Come to you annoyed me for some reason and I thought their long hair look was weird. I was very into Backstreet boys and all those typical pop music. Now every song that is put out is crap. I hate R 'n B but I like pop rock. When I found out that Hanson was back I thought I should give them a chance. Some of you people might think that I'm strange because I have never heard of MmmBop in my life! When I listened to the song from a friend's album I thought "Wow! This is really good and catchy!" I listened to the rest of the album and that is when my obsession for Hanson started. Now I love their music!
My Favourites will have to be "Yearbook", "MmmBop", and "I Will Come to You." I love the rest all the same. Those other songs were of course really really good, but come on, you must have your favourites. The songs that I didn't like were "Look At You." That's it. There is only one song that I hate unlike other artist's album who have plenty of terrible songs on their albums.
This Album is a must have if you want to listen to some real music. Definitely for a music fan.

I think these young men are very accomplished musisians and can play a instument not like other boy bands who just stand there and sing sugary love ballads. And they write thier own material and I love man from milwakee off this album because it makes me laugh.

I'm writing this review as one of the few people in the world to actually buy "Middle Of Nowhere" after buying "This Time Around" (which is amazing if you ask me). MON is nowhere near as good as "This Time Around" but it is a lot better than I thought. Heres a break down of the album

1. "Thinking Of You"--- good song, catchy but perhaps a bit too Jackson 5-esque (not that J5 aren't good). Taylors voice sounds really high on this one.

2. "MMMBop"---I think we all know this one! This is actually a really good song. Its terribly catchy and bouncy, but if you listen to the lyrics they're very meaningful, even kind of depressing. Its not my fav song, but I'd describe this as a perfect song b/c it has an upbeat happy sound, but the lyrics balance it out.

3. "Weird"--- Far and away my favorite song on the album. The lyrics are really great b/c they're relatable, it has a really nice tune, and you can hear Tays voice developing, but the innocence in the vocals makes it perfect.

4. "Speechless"--- A funky song. I like it a lot, theres a lot of scratching in it and the some of the lyrics are very, I guess, teen.

5. "Wheres The Love"--- I love this song! Upbeat and catchy.

6. "Yearbook"--- Great! Its about a boy who dissapears from a yearbook. This might be an overstatement, but the music reminds me of "Dream On" by Aerosmith.

7. "Look At You"--- Its not that good. Its catchy, but overall, its kind of like "Speechelss" except even more produced (in a bad way), kind of stupid, and well, bad.

8. "Lucy"--- At first I didn't like this one, but its actually cool. Its a slower one, but not really a ballad. I don't know how to describe it except for the word "breezy". (note: Zac sings this one, if you listen to this one and "Wish that I was there" on the new album, you won't believe its him!)

9. "I will Come To You"--- Corny but nice. I like it.

10. "A Minute Without You"--- This song is hyper. Its cool!

11. "Madeline"--- I like this one a lot. Its really funky, the musics really cool!

12. "With You In Your Dreams"-- a very sweet song that the Hansons wrote about their grandmother who had passed away. Very impressive lyrics.

13-er-21. "Man From Milualkee"--- The lyrics are really childish but I like this song a lot. The music is really rock-ish and not too-produced. Also I like this track because I think it shows Hansons originality.

Well, people have really mis-understood Hanson since they came out. Tay summed it up perfectly in a recent interview saying "In the beginning we were young and blond and we seemed like a cheesy pop band. When you think Hanson, you think of "MmmBop", right? There were deeper things going on, but people tended to focus on the young, pop side of things." Exactly. This album may be pop, but its intellegent and original. Rock on Hanson!

First of all, I have to say, I am not a "teenie bopper." My favorite artists are Rage Against the Machine, TLC,Christina Aguilera,Jonny Lang, and of course, Hanson. I have to admit, this album could have sounded a lot better if it was recorded after Taylor's voice had changed, but come on, give them a break! What the hell were you doing when you were 14 years old? Not only do they really sing (not lip-sync, unlike most other teen acts out there) but amazingly they also write, produce their own songs, and they also play they're own instruments. One thing for all of you anti-Hanson people out there: If you did not like Mmmbop, you might still like their other songs! Mmmbop is definatly not one of their better songs and it is a shame that people only think of that one song when they hear about them. The songs "Weird", "Yearbook," "I will come to you," and "With you in your dreams," are some of the best songs I have EVER heard in my life. Yearbook is definatly the most original. I have never heard anything like it before, especially the lyrics. It actually has a plot besides the stupid "I want to spend the rest of my life with you even though we're only 12, I'll always love you," stuff that you hear from Nsync and Britney Spears.

I really look forward to their "This time around" album which I'm sure will prove to all of you out there that they are one of the only teen acts out there that WILL make it and not just die out once they've lost their song writers. Hanson forever! Love you guys.

Middle of Nowhere is still the best pop album even though it's about four years old. It's unique and anyone can see that Hanson has talent. To rock fans they are a "guilty pleasure." You hate everything pop, but can't help but admit Hanson has talent. The Hanson c.d.'s are the only pop c.d.'s I own since I am fan of rock, but I just think it's cool I can like both. Anyway if you haven't given this c.d. a try you should. The songs are full of meaning even if you aren't twelve. I'm 17 and they still hold meaning for me. They talk about life situations that aren't so dark and depressing. Some rock is rather depressing and it's nice to get a breath of fresh air and listen to Hanson. They just make you feel good. This c.d. is definitly worth being remembered.

OKay I'm 11 years old MMMbop's been my favortie sing since I was 5 (I'll be 12 next month) So of course I like thier other 2 albums, but this album alone is my favorite record of a all time . They harminize well, play well and their not a fake group now days you have to sing rock or rap to even have a hit. But I want every-one to know that you mignt have thought they disspeared but they're slowly rising to the top again so don't be a hater and buy this record.