tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7893028946956085668.post4572041964182719676..comments2023-03-31T02:38:50.275-07:00Comments on Tour Memories (and occasional musings): Two Months Later, It's Still Loud - a review of Hanson's 2016 Members EPasphodeliahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17316052330459955707noreply@blogger.comBlogger9125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7893028946956085668.post-11764982297044783962016-08-07T06:42:28.002-07:002016-08-07T06:42:28.002-07:00Springsteen rip-offs are super en vogue these days...Springsteen rip-offs are super en vogue these days. Ryan Adams and Butch Walker did that recently too. So at least they're on-trend ;)Kellyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02619528225936418162noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7893028946956085668.post-63164553457386646332016-08-07T06:14:42.521-07:002016-08-07T06:14:42.521-07:00Penny and Me works - it's really made by that ...Penny and Me works - it's really made by that rapid-fire of imagery which, as you said, make you think for a few seconds. <br />I think 'Stop me in my Tracks' is meant to be rough...some kind of derivative work 'inspired' (*cough* ripped off) from The Great ("Just wrap your legs 'round these velvet rims/And strap your hands 'cross my engines" - Springsteen). <br /><br />At least that's what I want to believe (oh, I want to believe....)<br /><br />Stop Me In My Tracks is most definitely *not* sophisticated, but it works on that level of 'fist in the air, OH-OH, fist in the air, OH-OH' kinda way.asphodeliahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17316052330459955707noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7893028946956085668.post-79753109455682461412016-08-07T06:05:36.354-07:002016-08-07T06:05:36.354-07:00YES. The Walk album is some of their most lyricall...YES. The Walk album is some of their most lyrically inspired stuff for sure. And WoF. Always WoF <3<br /><br />Even a song like Penny and Me isn't super deep, but the words are fresh: "Cigars in the summertime" "got my bean in my coffee cup," "making it by in the pink moonlight" all make your brain go "ooh what's this? What does that look like?" Whereas phrases like "you really get my motor running" and "I've paid my dues/I've done my time" have all been said before. Like, many many times.Kellyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02619528225936418162noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7893028946956085668.post-20703329148526427962016-08-07T05:51:10.526-07:002016-08-07T05:51:10.526-07:00For me, Oh La La La was borderline at first. It...For me, Oh La La La was borderline at first. It's not quite 'cat anus' singing (as previously discussed) like some lines in 'Heartbreaker'. I think the fact that you can hear Zac and Isaac in the 'La La La' helps a lot (they don't cat anus-sing). <br /><br />Good point about River of Dreams. I wonder if it's a case of a sub-conscious homage. They're such fans of Billy Joel that it's probably something they wouldn't even think about. Either way, it's cliched, and as you say, they could do with really cut down on cliches overall. We know they can - look at songs like 'Fire on the Mountain', 'The Walk', dare I say 'World's on Fire'. This EP is not quite fridge magnet poetry material but hardly innovative either (lyrics-wise). Overall it's not SOL or FTBP but it's definitely a YAY rather than a NAY.<br /><br />Thank you for reading! (and commenting) asphodeliahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17316052330459955707noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7893028946956085668.post-51594284453548031132016-08-07T05:32:54.218-07:002016-08-07T05:32:54.218-07:00Overall, I agree with you that Loud is a huge impr...Overall, I agree with you that Loud is a huge improvement over Inside the Box. <br /><br />I love CRTM and GAL but Ooh La La La doesn't do it for me. I stand by my previous statement that Taylor *trying* to be "sexy" (growl-y vocal style, "damn good looking") has the opposite effect on me. Less is more, sugarplum.<br /><br />I love the idea of SMIMT being fan-inspired! Never thought of it that way. <br /><br />No Rest for the Weary = favorite. Hands down. A+ vocals here, T. Catchy, but not mind-numbingly so, and the build at the end is great.<br /><br />Something Loud - I agree that this one is made for live performances. Isaac is clearly in love with that guitar riff. When I listen closely to the lyrics they do feel a little hollow. The "river of life" sends my brain to Billy Joel's River of Dreams, and I'm sure it's not a knockoff but that makes it feel a little like one. Totally solid song, though.<br /><br />Siren Call - I don't skip it, but I don't listen to it unless I'm playing the EP straight through (vs. the middle 3 tracks which I'll put on by themselves, listen to commuting or running, etc.)<br /><br />In conclusion, I like the EP a lot, but it's not a contender for best-ever in my book (SOL and FTBP are pretty untouchable in that category). <br /><br />The one challenge I'd issue the band going forward is to cut down on the number of cliches in their lyrics. They are RAMPANT. Sometimes it works--No Rest for the Weary is a string of familiar expressions and platitudes. But I want to see them step up their songwriting game and use their words in combinations we haven't all heard before. (I'm sure since Hanson take me very seriously, their next release will reflect this criticism ;) ;)<br /><br />Great review, Paola!!Kellyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02619528225936418162noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7893028946956085668.post-17830711868952202016-08-06T15:34:27.495-07:002016-08-06T15:34:27.495-07:00I love FTBP. I wasn't even a fan back then so ...I love FTBP. I wasn't even a fan back then so I got to know it retrospectively, but it's up there with NSFB and SOL. I guess for me NSFB has an emotional attachment as that's the first Hanson CD I ever owned, as I joined the fan club just a it was coming out.<br /><br />I think Play will be awesome :)asphodeliahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17316052330459955707noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7893028946956085668.post-84068372906362696812016-08-06T13:21:41.964-07:002016-08-06T13:21:41.964-07:00they were taking the French reference and using th...they were taking the French reference and using the lyrics to make cheesy merch. I mean, some people were into it. not me, but it takes all kinds. I quit listening to the ep after 2 weeks so it isn't that great imo. my favorite ep has always been ftbp but im sure it has a lot to do with being the first moe I attended as well. its a great thing that different people can like different songs and aspects of the band, its what makes them great. I have high hopes for play :)Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06149922969064207640noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7893028946956085668.post-77724762011882483792016-08-06T11:42:00.358-07:002016-08-06T11:42:00.358-07:00I think 'Power Pop' is the best definition...I think 'Power Pop' is the best definition of songs like SMIMT - and even 'Oh La La La'. It's pop at its very best, and I got suckered in too ;)<br />asphodeliahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17316052330459955707noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7893028946956085668.post-69847319209795991452016-08-06T11:21:36.671-07:002016-08-06T11:21:36.671-07:00Insightful , honest and brilliantly executed. I wo...Insightful , honest and brilliantly executed. I would like to add that I personally am a sucker for power pop which is probably why I adore SMIMT so much .Thanks for pointing out the French reference even though I took French in college I am pretty rusty and tend to over look little details like that . Suzehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15903044623655535185noreply@blogger.com