Review - Hanson - Anthem

Hanson just put out their NINTH album?!? Who knew?

The trio of brothers recently released ‘Anthem’, which closely follows their 2010 album ‘Shout It Out’. Sure, it’s pop, but you can feel the band drifting further and further from their typical roots. The boys have always been very instrumental in their composition, and recently they’ve been adding full horn sections.

Lead single “Get The Girl Back” (the obvious high point on the album) is a serious jam, in the same vein as “Thinkin’ Bout Something”, the lead single from their last CD. A full-fledged, entire-band affair that kicks you out of your chair and makes you dance.

There are several other songs that follow and sound similar, but then the album falls into adult contemporary territory, and the fun seems to melt away. Towards the end, there are a few tracks that could even fit on a present-day Backstreet Boys LP…and that ain’t saying anything good.

So, ‘Anthem’ is a mixed bag. The thousands of dedicated Hanson fans will probably be on board, but I am a bit disappointed.

Listen to: "Get The Girl Back"