This Time Around [ENHANCED]

Hanson

Product Details

• Audio CD (May 9, 2000)
• Original Release Date: May 9, 2000
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Enhanced
• Label: Island
• ASIN: B00004SBNC
• Also Available in: Audio Cassette  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars See all reviews (283 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #72,485 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com
It's tempting to go after Hanson with a full-on snark attack and deconstruct the new haircuts, snicker at the slightly rougher sound, and hoot at such impossibly tortured lyrics as "On the ground crying out, 'Somebody see me please.'" Trouble is, it's hard to trash them when the smile on your face has no trace of malice. That's the sort of smile these songs induce. The mildly spicy, funked-up "You Never Know" has a "Smooth" feel (only it's Jonny Lang, not Carlos Santana, supplying the licks). Hyper-happy harmonica (courtesy of Blues Traveler's John Popper) and thwacky-wacky effects on "If Only" turn yearning into a disease you'd stand in line to catch. "Save Me" is a sweet plea; the title track (and first single) has Southern-rock/gospel textures; "In the City," despite its adultery theme, is like Disneyland Manhattan--more fun than dangerous. Throughout, Taylor Hanson's vocals prove pretty expressive and throaty for an adolescent could-be male supermodel. Yes, teen girls will be penning pining letters to boyfriends at far-flung camps all summer to this stuff. But the Tulsa trio's real triumph is the way they bridge not just the generation gap, but the cynical chasm with clean, perfectly sappy pop. --Nina Malkin

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

94 of 96 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent album..., May 19, 2000

By A Customer

I really enjoy this album. Not one song is the same, yet they all carry the Hanson trademark of excellence. The album is so diverse, I'm sure that someone will at least appreciate one song if not more.

1. You Never Know - Great opener & has a 70s feel to it
2. If Only - Such a fun song w/ excellent harmonica playing
3. This Time Around - Superb anthemic tune. Very triumphant
4. Runaway Run - A destined hit
5. Save Me - A spine tingling ballad. The lead singer displays so much soul in his voice on this track
6. Dying to Be Alive - A gospel-y song that features a full choir. The music and the lyrics are definintely very inspirational
7. Can't Stop - A funky, toe-tapping track, flavored with some Latin vibes
8. Wish That I Was There - Wow, talk about voice change. The youngest one could now be mistaken as one of his brothers.
9. Love Song - Such a heart-felt song.
10. Sure About It - Another funky ditty. Great use of creative imagery in the lyrics.
11. Hand In Hand - One of my favorite songs. The older brother displays a lot of anger and pain when he sings this song. It's amazing.
12. In The City - This is the song that will get the reaction "This is HANSON?" Total rocking tune
13. A Song To Sing - Excellent closer. Piano driven song with a melody and lyrics that make you want to cry. It's funny how a bunch of teenagers are so experienced at evoking one's emotions.

Great Album...listen for yourself

36 of 36 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars I have been converted!, June 23, 2000

By	Amy Thornton (Marysville, OH United States) - See all my reviews

As a former non-Hanson fan, I am proud to write this review to tell you all how AWESOME this album is. These boys have grown up, their music has matured, and their "sound" is infinitely better. Gone are the little boy voices and trite song lyrics. They have been replaced by a real understanding of interesting chord structure, fascinating lyrics, and driving rhythms.

I thought I would highlight some of the "best of" on this album (although there isn't really a weak track).

"This Time Around"--This song starts out so beautifully, but quickly escalates into a driving blues tune. Taylor uses great diminished seventh chords in a chorus you won't soon forget!

"Runaway Run"--Rumor has it that this song was written in separate parts by the trio, and that the bridge was actually written for another song. However, it doesn't sound thrown together. One of the catchier songs, it also has some of the more romantic lyrics on the CD.

"Hand in Hand"--The trio spreads its wings, incorporating the guitar prowess of Jonny Lang with the gorgeous voices of Issac and Taylor to produce perhaps the best track on the album.

"In the City"--The tune is driving...John Popper is amazing...but what I most wanted to know when listening to this track was "How does somebody at 17 know so much about infidelity?" The lyrics are biting, sarcastic, and very deep. This track is best played very loudly on a car stereo! :-)

"Love Song"--when I first heard this on the B-side of the single, I didn't like it. But now that I listen to ir more and more, I realize that is simply gorgeous. The lyrics show a real maturity, because we all "can love right and love wrong."

"Save Me"--This song is great because of one reason--Taylor Hanson's vocal chords. He is quickly becoming a sensational rock singer. His voice is sometimes gritty...but it is always captivating.

"Dying to be Alive"--The Hanson trio hired Rose Stone and her choir to add some kick to this song, and it worked beautifully.

If you have been reluctant to buy a Hanson CD, please don't miss a great opportunity to discover this group all over again. This is not the same Hanson as "MMM-Bop." Not even close. This is a mature, kickin' rock band with a great future.

15 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Real Thing, May 9, 2000

By	Gianmarco Manzione (Tampa, FL USA) - See all my reviews (TOP 1000 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)

Anyone who dismisses Hanson as just another one of those boy groups is ignoring the authentic talent of these three kids. They are not pretty boys in leather pants and gloves lipsinking on some VH1 special, these are accomplished musicians who have created an album that reduces their commercial smash debut to mere playfulness. "This Time Around" has a gritty rock and blues sound that rises above their debut album's somewhat quirky production and teeny-bopper flavor. "This Time Around" is the real thing; it sounds like everyone just let the brothers do their thing without demanding that they create another chart topping pop song like "MMMbop." The album launches with a series of hyper rockers, a couple of which threaten to dethrone rock giants like The Black Crowes or Rolling Stones. The playing is as taut, lively and confident as if they've been recording together for decades. While that in and of itself is a sign of this young trio's maturity, surprisingly soulful ballads like the beautiful "Save Me" or the piano driven "A Song to Sing," destroy any doubts as to this band's intention to create GOOD music, not just the stuff of pop charts and radio hits. Unlike most follow-ups to hugely successful albums, there is no evidence on "This Time Around" of any pressure to force out accessible pop tunes. Instead, the Hanson brothers recorded this album for themselves. That's a much more honest approach than most modern bands, and the advantages of that attitude are proven by the collection of consistently good songs on "This Time Around." Unlike the flood of so-called "boy bands," 'N Synch or Backstreet Boys and all the rest of them, we are likely to find ourselves listening to this album ten or twenty years from now.