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30 of 31 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Surprisingly Good, July 23, 2007
I bought the actual album while in the UK...
OK, I'll be the first to admit that I was not a fan of Hanson in their "mmmbopp stage". However, they have now matured to a band that writes and plays not what other people want, but what they feel is right for them. I didn't know they were around any more until I saw their Great Divide music video on the tv. As I watched that video I had no idea who the band was, but I certainly had to find out. Much to my great surprise it was Hanson. I went back and bought their previous album Underneath and it was good, I liked most of the tracks.
Then when this album came out I had to check it out. Up to the release I downloaded the podcast from iTunes and watched their Underneath podcast which exposes the American Music Industry and the corruption that money has done. Then they had a podcast for The Walk which featured the making of just about every track. I kid you not, by watching this podcast I had a greater appreciation for all bands that wrote and played their own music.
Now about The Walk. This is an absolutely great album that I think a lot of people would like if they didn't know it was by Hanson. As a band they have such a negative stigma in America and if you liked them as a kid, well, you just didn't let anyone know. This album is completely different. I played some of the tracks for friends without telling them the artist and they loved it. When I told them it was Hanson they were blown away. I can listen to this album without skipping over any tracks.
**Great Divide** - Has a gospel feel to it without going too far. They incorporate the rock nicely with the guitar and drum beats that really pull everything together.
**Been There Before** - This is honestly my favorite track, it has an infectious beat that gets everyone moving their heads. Really great melodies and interesting lyrics.
**Georgia** - A typical track of sorts, but has an upbeat tempo that keeps you entertained.
**Watch Over Me** - This is just a great track lyrically. "She waits and takes her place in line, never bothers asking why. The mirror sheds no light at all. The days turn into lesser days until there's only night and light wouldn't help... she's too far gone." It is a song that everyone can relate to, everyone knows someone like that. A person that is stuck in a rut and daily seems to be going in the same direction. It would be a sad song, but Isaac has that gruff voice that strains in the high notes and makes into a bit of an alternative track.
**Running Man** - A "party track" as it says in the first couple seconds. Totally upbeat, not totally rock, but the vocals are excellent.
**Go** - Ok, there is a music video out about this one so I'll let you form your own opinion... YouTube it.
**Fire On the Mountain** - Powerful message and it isn't hidden, they put it out there and if you have any background in the subject you'll get it.... "We sit secure in time-honored traditions made. Never wondering where or when the Sickle may come. If we don't seek our knowledge to be greater men. When the rain Starts falling gonna drown before we get our feet wet."
**One More** - The piano ties holds this track together. A bit slower than most of the other tracks, except Go. However, it isn't that horribly slow mushy track. This one also has a great message.
**Blue Sky** - Comes in nicely after a slower track and is upbeat with a bit of the African choir that can be heard in Great Divide.
**Tearing It Down** - While Blue Sky had almost a painful note in the vocals this track is a bit more smooth. However, the track doesn't stop - you can always hear the drums and the guitar through everything.
**Something Goin' Round** -"Are you falling asleep at the wheel? Maybe there's a feeling you've been pushing off." ... "I've got this something that's been going round, you don't know it, but you need it now" I've said this about a few other tracks, but when you listen to this album in it's entirety you either get the underlying message 'cause you know it or "you don't know it, but you need it"... Great track, definitely upbeat.
**Your Illusion** - A slower track that somewhat tugs at the heart strings if you or someone you've known has been in the situation. It's about someone "wasting life" and wanting to commit suicide and "placing their blame on everyone else."
**The Walk** - The lyrics sum up the entire album. A bit slower track, mostly just vocals and a piano.
Great album altogether. I didn't put the lyrics to all the tracks because you can look them up. If you own the album already or are thinking about getting it look up the lyrics so you know what you're listening to. There is an underlying religious theme to this album. It doesn't come out and beat it over your head. As a matter of fact, you won't notice it unless you have a background in the church and to take it a step further - a deep background in Biblical passages. They don't come out and say anything or try to convert anyone, they're just writing about life, a life that everyone knows and lives. Does this take away from the album? Not at all, secular and non-secular alike are going to love this album...
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11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Returning to form, December 28, 2007
I have been a fan of Hanson for as long as I can remember, even back in 1997 during the "MMMBop" days (but I didn't mention it to anyone; sorry, but there are certain things that a sixteen-year-old black guy has to keep from his friends to avoid getting beaten up). And the brothers are unfortunately another one of those bands that want to take their career in a different direction than their original label does, which results in going the indie route. I didn't like their first independent album Underneath very much, but thankfully things work out much better on The Walk.
Now that Isaac, Taylor and Zac are all over twenty and married with children, that might account for why their songs have more of an adult contemporary vibe than what was found on previous efforts. But one thing that's surprising about this album is that Zac actually does much of the lead singing on here, like on the title track as well as the three-in-a-row of "Running Man", "Go" and "Fire on the Mountain", and even though I heard him singing on "Misery" off their previous album, he sounds even better here. Isaac also impresses when he handles lead vocals on "Watch Over Me".
But Taylor still helps with his usual vocals, as evidenced by highlights like "Georgia", "Been There Before" and "Something Going Round". There are also some acoustic bonus tracks that suit me well, like "I've Been Down" and "Got a Hold on Me" (although the second acoustic version of "Something Going Round" is a little unnecessary). While Hanson might not be enjoying the record-breaking sales they used to enjoy, you should still consider walking over to pick up this album.
Anthony Rupert
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12 of 13 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Hanson's best to date; an amazing indie release, July 30, 2007
Having been a Hanson fan since the beginning, I have anticipated every new album anxiously. Not one has disappointed me, but The Walk blew me out of the water. Now that Hanson has put aside the whole Island/Def Jam fiasco, they've really begun to live up to their potential, especially as an indie band. To me, this is leaps and bounds from Underneath. While I loved Underneath, this album takes all the good from Underneath and expands on it with a completely fresh sound.
The Walk is bluesy pop rock at its best. On my first listen, I was surprised to hear Zac sing lead on so many songs, but his voice has matured and fits perfectly with the album. Running Man is not only fun and catchy, but it has a bit of an Electric Light Orchestra feel to it. Although In a Way is only available as a bonus track on the CD released in Japan, it quickly became one of my favorite Hanson songs; the beat, the vocals, the lyrics, it all came together perfectly and I'm surprised it didn't make the actual album.
Taylor graces us with Georgia, a sweeping, beautiful piano laced song that caught me on the first chord and still hasn't let me go. I would have picked it as a first single, but perhaps its better that way. Another highlight is Blue Sky, which sounds terrific with Taylor's somewhat raspy vocals. While Isaac only takes the lead on one song, Watch Over Me, he also shares the lead with Taylor on Something Going Round, which has a bit more of a rock edge and would be a great song to jam along to live.
The Walk really showcases Hanson's new found maturity. This album hasn't left my CD player since I put it in. There are songs like Tearin It Down and Georgia that are so catchy that I can't help but to roll all my windows down and sing my heart out. Then there are songs like The Walk, The Great Divide and Fire on the Mountain that really let the band show us just how far they have evolved.
I hope that this album finally gives Hanson the respect that they deserve. Mmmbop is long in the past and we've begun a new Hanson era. I will always look forward to new Hanson releases - they've developed into a truly amazing band.
This album is truly what independent music is all about.
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