Customer Reviews

This Time Around

5 star:		(246)
4 star:		(23)
3 star:		(6)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(5)

 

 

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

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 They have been replaced by a real understanding of interesting chord structure, fascinating lyrics, and driving rhythms.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.

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.

This Time Around is an excellent album of 13 original songs all written and performed by the popular American musical brothers Isaac, Taylor and Zac Hanson and released in May 2000. I bought the Australian version of TTA (which has 2 bonus tracks :Lonely Again and Smile) in June 2000 and I love it. What is so good about Hanson is that they are talented songwriters who have always worked together as a team since they were very young, and they display impressive growth in their abilities with each new recording. This teamwork results in beautiful harmony singing, and now that they are young adults they can also sing authentic heartache songs with more soul than most other current bands. Taylor performs most lead vocals - he has a charismatic and distinctive soulful voice making him one of the best rock singers I have heard in recent years. And he was only sixteen when this record was made! Particularly good is his performance on the rousing title song This Time Around, and the wonderful gospel-styled Dying To Be Alive. Isaac shines on the beautiful ballad Love Song and provides strong lead guitar on the rather-heavier-than-anything-they've-done-before track In The City , while the melancholy album closer A Song To Sing is one of their best slow songs. Drummer Zac sings a great song of his called Wish That I Was There. For pop fans eager to hear more 1997-era Hanson, there is a reprise of fashionable "scratch" sounds on the album's catchy hit single If Only, which reached the Australian Top 10 in April 2000. Despite this chart action, TTA was not a huge commercial success, probably because Hanson's sound had matured such a lot since their mega-successful 1997 album Middle Of Nowhere. DO NOT LET THIS DETER YOU!! This is a superior and very-listenable pop/rock record with a more organic feel than their previous discs. It can be enjoyed by music fans of all ages - adults as well as teenagers. Highly Recommended.

Have you ever bought a CD because you liked one or two songs that you heard, then got it home and were disappointed because you still only liked two songs? It's happened to me many times. That's why I was so VERY excited when I listened to the entire TTA CD and found myself enjoying it from start to finish! I can honestly say there is not a weak song on the album. Each song has it's own distinct sound. On this album, you'll get some rock, pop, blues, even a taste of gospel. I of course have my favorites, "If Only", "This Time Around", "Save Me", and "Sure About It" are my top picks. I feel compelled to also mention that I am not the "typical" age of a Hanson fan. I am 27 years old, and I'm proof that Hanson has broadened their appeal to an older audience. I know many people my age who also like their new, mature sound. If you are looking for a rock/pop album, "This Time Around" is a great place to start.

I suppose I'll add my voice to the chorus of "older" Hanson fans. I'm a 29-year-old woman who's not really interested in a lot of what's on the radio today (my favorite musician is Ani Difranco, for God's sake), but do I love this CD.

I didn't think much about Hanson one way or the other until I saw them on the Grammys back in . . . it must have been 1998. That performance made it clear how talented they are. Other live performances on talk shows and MTV's Live at the 10 Spot further converted me. However, I didn't buy "This Time Around" until I started hearing "If Only" on the radio. I loved its lyrics and irresistible catchiness, and I wasn't hearing it often enough to suit me, so I bought the CD.

I haven't been disappointed. My favorite song is "Sure About It," another catchy one with lyrics I wish I had written (and I don't say that often). The vocals are just amazing throughout, particularly on "Save Me" and "Song to Sing." The harmonies are great, and the musicianship and lyrics, always pretty good, are better than ever.

I noticed a few people lamenting the fact that this album hasn't sold as well as those of 'N Sync, Britney Spears, etc. Maybe a fruitful comparison is with all the bands of the '50s and '60s that drove teenagers crazy. Most of those faded into oblivion, but a couple went on to make albums like "Pet Sounds" and "Sgt. Pepper's." Hanson gets my vote as being most likely to fall into this latter category.

Unlike some previous reviewers, I was mixed on Hanson's previous effort "Middle of Nowhere." It had some good songs but some filler too - especially on the second half. Not this one. It starts strong with "You Never Know" and continues with two very catchy but under played singles "If Only" and the title track. But it doesn't stop there - "Save Me" is a lovely ballad while "In The City" and the gospel tinged "Dying to be Alive" are stong efforts. There really isn't a weak song on the whole CD.

The "problem" is that there really is nothing here like "MMMbop" to play on the radio. But as Hanson matures they seem to be moving away from teeny bopper style pop to a more traditional rock sound. That's good because while some similar groups will soon fade away I think Hanson will be around for quite some time. Not only is this a good CD, it shows Hanson has staying power.

Well, I'm you typical 19 year old, likes hard rock, and heavy metal. Hates boy bands, and all things pop, yet after hearing the single TTA, I wore a hat, ducked my head, and bought this album. I'll admit I was all to eager to say what a crap attempt at a grown up cd this was, untill I heard it. Its Great! yes Great. I love all the songs, and the cd is one of my all time favs. The cd is grown up, and they don't sound like they're trying to hard to get that point across. They write all their own songs, and play their instruments, so before anyone puts them in the category of BSB, or Nsync, listen to the album, and I bet you'll be putting them in the category of Aerosmith, or Bon Jovi before long. Can't wait for their next one.

Well, this CD rocks. It is the best one I've heard in a while, probabbly even my favorite CD ever. Let me just say, that if you are interested enought in this album to even be reading this review, buy it now! Its so worth it! These guys have got an incredibly large amount of talent. I really like every single track. I wasn't a Hanson fan really before, I actually didn't buy "Middle of Nowhere" until after I fell in love with "This Time Around". I listen to this CD everyday. The lyrics are very inspirational and the music rocks! I mean, sure there are the love songs just like everyother album but Hanson even manage to put true meaning in those songs! Songs like "Dying to be alive" and "This Time Around" are just amazing. Those are two of my favs. My ultimate favorite on this album is probabbly "Runaway Run" though, I don't see how anyone could possibly not like that song! If you don't buy this album for any other reason, buy it to hear "Wish That I was There". Zac sings that song and his voice has actually gotten LOWER than his two older brothers! I don't know why this album isn't topping the charts, but it certainly should be. Trust me, take a chance on this album, you wont regret it! Hanson is now my favorite band. These three brothers should be around for a long long time! Go Hanson!

When I first heard the song This Time Around on the radio, I was absolutely blown away. There was no question that I was going to buy the CD the day it came out. When I listened to it for the first time, I was amazed by the change in sound. This is no longer MMMBop -- that was three years ago. This is rock, with catchy, fast-paced songs, meaningful love ballads, and lyrics that no one could have expected. Hanson is no longer another BSB or NSync; they have a unique style all their own, and the TTA album will keep you spinning their music. My friends, self-proclaimed and hardcore Hanson haters, grudgingly admitted that the music was "okay", but two have gone out and bought the CD, and absolutely love it. I really think everyone should give This Time Around an honest listen and completely forget what you thought you knew about Hanson. I truly believe you will be thoroughly and pleasantly surprised.