RGB Listening Party!❤️💚💙

LET'S GOOOOOO!!! ❤️💚💙🙌👊😝

HAPPY RELEASE DAY!! ❤️💚💙 I'm about to listen to Hanson's Red Green Blue album for the very first time! I'm so excited I can hardly stand it! We're getting this par-TAY started with....

TAYLOR'S RED

🔴 Child At Heart - I've heard this song at least hundred times since it's release back in February, but I have to start at the very beginning with the very first song! This song is wonderful so it's not really a problem for me 😁 "You can just breathe, you are no mistake." 💓😭👊

🔴 Child At Heart (Demo) - That was so adorable! 😍 It's basically Taylor playing the guitar and making up the lyrics as he goes (so they're not exactly the lyrics that ended up on the final product). It was such a sweet nod to the inspiration of this song, his little boy. “This song was born on a day where I was pondering the many challenges of coming of age and growing up (I have kids from 19- to one-year-old). I was sitting with my youngest two children and felt an overwhelming sense of peace hearing my two-year-old son, Indiana, telling me all the things he hoped to do that day. The message is ultimately about staying hopeful and pure, in spite of the challenges life can bring, and as a songwriter, I love that you hear that message crystal clear from the very first word.” - Taylor Hanson. You can hear a little kid (I'm assuming his son, Indiana that he referred to in that quote) trying to talk to him as he's playing. My heart! 💓 You're so great Taylor! 

🔴 Rambling Heart - So, I've actually heard this song before too! They played it during the Storytellers Concert during Hanson Day. I loved the live performance so honestly, I was a little thrown hearing the album version. The pacing of the song threw me off a little; the way the verses are sung. It's not a bad thing just different from what I'm used to from a "Hanson" song. It has a bit of a folksy, bluegrass sound. I love the chorus! And the ending is really, really good (not to take away from the rest of the song but something about the ending just hits right 👌). I think it's going to take me a couple of listens to really form an "official" opinion. But I didn't NOT like it! It's just going to take some getting used to for me. That's all. The chorus is phenomenal though! Road trip, travel vibes for sure. Makes me want to go explore new horizons. *I just went and compared the live Storytellers version to the album version and they sound almost identical because that's how freaking cool Hanson is! They thrive live! I think it's already growing on me!! The passion and pure bliss in Taylor's voice is incredible! He's totally vibing and connecting with what he's singing! Love you Taylor 💖 Forever my inspiration!

🔴 Truth - I heard this song earlier today during Hanson's "Listening Party" 😂 So I still, as of yet, been able to hear something completely brand new! But, I don't feel like I was totally able to "hear"/focus/absorb this song earlier because I was distracted with the live chat and watching Hanson as they listened to their own songs, haha. So, here goes my first "serious"-reading-each-lyric-as-I-go-official-listen....SANG BOY! That note in the last chorus on the word "humble!" 🔥🔥 Taylor is the definition of PASSION! No one can touch him! Second only to MJ himself! This song is so thoughtful and I remember Taylor mentioned during the Listening Party that this was recorded in one take with just him and David Garza (who plays the guitar on this song and helped produce the album) sitting around a single microphone. You can hear how raw it is and it adds so much "realness" to the song. It has a bit of a laid back feel; very singer songwriter. Reminds me of Jack Johnson in that sense. Jack's songs also contain deeper thoughts and messages but from such a chill and relaxed vibe. The lyrics are inspiring as always. "Maybe we could be reminded that a little bit of humble, goes a long way to bring a little peace, at the end of the day. So don’t hold on to bitter, it’ll come home to roost and nothing can set you free like, a little bit of truth." Preach! 🙌 "Humble" perfectly describes Taylor Hanson.❤️ Wow...his section is one that speaks directly to the heart and soul! It's very reflective and honest and raw. Just living in the moment and taking it all in, one step at a time, one day at a time. 😌 OK, on to the next!

🔴 We Belong Together - My first 100%  true-new-through-and-though song!! I have absolutely NO expectations... LETS GOOO!! I...have...no words! 😍 STOP! That was...that was...something else! I'm OBSESSED! Wow! The lyrics! The melody! The harmonizing! Just everything about that was so special! Wow wow wow wow!! I mean, what!? Wow! What a beautiful, healing, connecting song to give the world!! Thank you for sharing your gift of love and music Taylor! You are so wonderful! That was so, so, so, so good! 💓

🔴 Semi Hollow - The last song on Red! 😢 I'm gonna miss hearing Taylor's soulful voice!! Excited to hear this last track! .... I'm...so confused!! 😂 I can't tell what the style of this song is or how I feel about it in general. Wow, that was...different. Taylor's vocals were fabulous but whoa. What a departure from EVERYTHING we heard before!! That was just kinda... weird ngl. I'mma need some time with this one, lol. It feels old school...which I'm sure it is probably influenced by some older style since that's Hanson's jam but...I hope I like this better live...if it does get played live...I feel it would be hard to sing along with...I'm so confused! That was just weird! 😝 I kinda wish I could swap this one out for Trembling from the White Rabbit EP. The world NEEDS that song!!

Red was 😍💓😮😅 but now it's time for...

ISAAC'S GREEN

🟢 Greener Pastures - So apparently this is a song originally by Isaac, Taylor and Zac's younger brother (yes people, there is another Hanson out there!) that Isaac decided to cover! How weird is that!? 🤯 I'm excited to hear this. I just gave their brother Mac's a listen (talent runs in this family that's for sure!) and now on to see what Isaac's done with it...WHAAAAAAAT!? That was AMAZING!! I'm so impressed! It sounded similar to Mac's but it still had some very "Hanson" qualities to it that the original lacked (the "oooo's" in the background for example). And Isaac's voice is INCREDIBLE!! 😍 It sounds like Isaac but it's almost different in a way...I don't know how to explain it! So good! There's a sense of new found CONFIDENCE in Isaac's voice that just SHINES THROUGH! That makes me so, so happy!! 😄💚 This is a strong, STRONG start for Green! What a cool, unique vibe! Is it country? Is it folk? A little blues? Soul? I don't know but whatever it is, it was COOL! 😎

🟢 Write You A Song - The cutest, sweetest, purest daddy love song to his daughter! 😍💓💚 Is Isaac's section the first official Hanson country album?? This song is very "Americana" (as I've heard Hanson refer to it as) and it's just pure, simple happiness! 😊🌻🌈 The way Isaac sounds/sings on the verses is my favorite part!! 💚💚 The best I've ever heard from him! It's just SO GOOD! And his baby girl - his inspiration for the song - joining in at the end is the sweetest thing!! 😭💚 What a special song for her to grow up listening to and for them both to look back on years from now! A treasured gift this will be for her throughout her life! He is on his A-game on this album so far! I'm so impressed by and proud of him! Isaac finally getting the attention he deserves! 👏👏👏

🟢 No Matter the Reason - This one was also featured during the Storyteller Concert! I remember liking it then...let's see how the album version compares to the live! .... "But what am I gonna do, what am I gonna do with all this pain" 💓 That melody is incredible! Ugh! It's just so freaking good!! This song in general is a very, very "Isaac" song but it's also just different enough that it feels new and fresh and wow! It's so lovely! What a great message! Beautiful! It's a ballad but a little more upbeat than his typical ballads. Love it Isaac! You are so sweet and tender and thoughtful! I also noticed he appeared to have written this song with his brother Mac!

🟢 The Gift of Tears - If I had to guess, this is going to be another emotional ballad 😉 Let's see if I'm right... this sounds very similar to No Matter the Reason...at least the opening chords. The lyrics are beautiful but...it's not my favorite song. 😬 I'm so sorry Ike!! 😔 I love the lyrics and the message but...I don't know why it's not doing much for me at this moment. It was a little too slow. I'm sure it will continue to grow on me the more I listen to it. "It’s a beautiful time for new beginnings, moving on, breaking free and letting go" 😢💚 Why does that make me think of where my life is heading right now...? 😓😳
🟢 Cold as Ice - OH. YEAAAHHH! They played this at the Hanson Day Concert and let me tell you it.is.COOL...if you catch my drift 😎 It's a funky groove that is so unique and different from anything I've ever heard from Isaac before and I'm 👏 here 👏 for 👏 it! Oh man, this song is going to be LIT live (I know that for a fact since I technically already heard it "live" during the concert stream last week and it blew me away - I think it's actually better live)!! Isaac is on 🔥!! It's like one big jam session with a little Stevie Wonder influence thrown in! This song is smooooth! 

Green was all the feels 😍🎸😭💃 Now on to our final section....

ZAC'S BLUE

🔵 Bad - Oh boy am I excited for this!! I've heard the least amount of "new" songs from Zac since he played The World Goes Around at the Storytellers Concert AND during the Listening Party this morning but he actually originally played this song last January during the Islands & A Stream Concert! So that song waited a bit to finally find it's home 😊 And then obviously, I heard his single Don't Let Me Down when it was released last month. But those are the only 2. I'm very intrigued with the title of this song (obviously) and am very curious to see what it's all about! I don't think it's going to be an MJ cover, lol (though I'd LOVE to hear them cover that some day! 🤞). Let's see how Bad Zac can be shall we? .... LADIES & GENTLEMEN ZAC HAS ARRIVED!! 🙌 MIND=BLOWN! 🤯 That. Was. 🔥🔥🔥!!!! THAT WAS SO SICK! Zac...you are INSANE! You sir are a POWERHOUSE!  UNBELIEVABLE SONG! From the lyrics to the overall tone, that. was. BAD! 😎😏 And you know it!! WHOO!! I am PUMPED for the rest of BLUE!!! 👊🙌 Also, I noticed a few influences from other "Zac songs" in some of the lyrics "What you believe is what you become" is very similar to this line from Fearless "You could be bold breaking the mold you are what you let yourself be told." 🔥 And this nod to The Walk "The tight rope is frayed and it’s wearing me thin" → "The tight rope is thin, I could possibly win on the walk." The fact that this song is like, a diss to virtue signalers and people who think they're superior to others and live by the motto "It's my way or the highway!" Like, they can't get off their high horse to have a civilized conversation and try to see things from another point of view. YOU TELL 'EM ZAC!! 👊😝 Honestly, this song makes me think of the lyrics to MJ's Bad! Because if you really listen to what Michael is saying in that song it's "You're doin' wrong, I don't want to fight. It's cool to NOT fight! Now that's what's BAD!" hahaha!! It's cheesy the way I explained it so let me show you a few examples: "I'm telling you on how I feel, gonna hurt your mind don't shoot to kill...I'm giving you on count of three, to show your stuff or let it be. I'm telling you just watch your mouth I know your game what you're about...The word is out you're doin' wrong. Gonna lock you up, before too long. Your lyin' eyes, gonna tell you right. So listen up, don't make a fight...We can change the world tomorrow, this could be a better place" I'm geeking out so hard right now! But seriously! Compare those lyrics to these: "We all retreat to our sides and give into our lies. Cause it’s easier than seeing my reasons in what you believe...For every act there is a reaction...Look in my eyes, don’t misunderstand. Before there’s blood on your hands...I know what I see so many things you can’t tell, from just the scars on my skin. Here on the edge if we don’t make a change you can see where it ends." GO OFF ZAC!! 🔥👊 Thems fightin' words!

🔵 The World Goes Around - As I mentioned, I am quite familiar with this one. GREAT message! Great song! I like how much energy the beginning of this song has...not in the same way as Bad or Don't Let Me Down but there's still this excitement to how it begins. Zac is killing it! I LOVE the last 40 seconds of this song... of course I love the whole thing but there's something super cool about that last bit, it's so big and moving and ugh! I love it! 💙 "Maybe your troubles got the best of you, God know the punishment don’t always fit the crime. Sometimes you know even your best won’t do. Does the end of the rope mean hell or hope? That’s up to you." 😭🙌 Those words resonate to my core! Zac taking a page out of Taylor's book with thems deep, self-reflective lyrics! I mean, Zac really has always had strong lyrics too but still. 

🔵 Wake Up - Could this be a new and re-imagined version of their song of the same name from 2001?? Finally getting a chance to shine front and center?? Tbh, I'd be a little sad if it were. The other Hanson Wake Up song is perfect just as it is...this probably isn't going to be a re-make but that's where my mind jumped to the second I read the title, lol. OK, let's continue! ... Oh. NO! 😰 I guess they each had to have a song that will have to grow on me...or maybe just never really get there. I can't lie, this was a bit of a let down after the first two songs (and what's coming up next). It reminds me too much of the song Reading Your Mind from the 2019 members EP and that song is one of my least favorite Hanson songs of all time! It also has this weird 70's soft-rock love ballad sound to me in the verses... I don't know how to explain it. It makes me think of my dad's "old" music love songs...but the boring ones... like something from Chicago (don't get me wrong I really like a lot of Chicago's music...but some of it is kinda slow and boring...like this song...😳).*Well, I'm not alone in this thought! I was just reading some of the comments on YouTube for this song and someone - who liked the song mind you - wrote: "it’s like a David gates song from the 70s that never got made til you sang it now!" I knew I recognized a 70's vibe! I looked up who David Gates is and he was the lead singer in the band Bread...a group my dad likes! 😂 I should show this song to him, maybe it'd take him back to his favorite era of music and he'd be a fan!* I'm so sorry Zac but this one's gonna take some time for me! Also, what the Lion King/Circle of Life background parts!? lol. It happens during the: "When I wake up" part. I think this song would have been better suited for an EP. I would gladly trade this one with Happy from White Rabbit. 

🔵 Don't Let Me Down - This song ROCKS SO HARD! 🙌🎸💪👊 Especially that breakdown in the middle...right before the guitar solo (at minute 2:35) ... I'm not a musician and don't know what to call that OK!? Leave me alone! 😅 It's so ELECTRIC! 🗲 This is my ultimate pump up song/anthem for myself in life right now. Like, I'm literally having to remind myself every day to NOT let me down!! To stop putting things off, that my moment is NOW! "It's not a question of whether you're ready only of what you'll allow." This line has been going through my mind a lot, it's another new mantra in life for me. This song is my JAM!! "No one can stop you until you decide that you're done." 😭💙🙌BARZ!!! 

🔵 Where I Belong - NOOOOO!!! It's the last song 😭 I only get one chance to hear these for the first time and I'm sad that after this that will be over. That might sound weird but I love experiencing something new for the first time. It's magical. And exciting. Oh well, here we go! ... Um, OK. Whoa. That...was unexpected. It reminded me instantly of Strange World mixed with Queen vibes and Michael Jackson's Childhood. It has a "fantasy" quality ✨ It sounds like it should be in a movie. To be specific, like an old cheesy, 90's cartoon 😂 Hey, I'm not hatin'! I love songs from cheesy, 90's cartoons! Somewhere Out There anyone? Whatever You Imagine?? Those songs slap! Honestly, it wasn't horrible. But it will take a few more listens for me to come up with my final opinion. I honestly would have swapped this one with Strange World (from the White Rabbit EP). I just love Strange World sooooo, so much and I think it would have been a great song to share with the world and not just us hardcore Fansons ✨💙 It's a total missed opportunity. 😔 And while we're keeping things 100 around here...I don't love when Zac sings in his falsetto for a lot of the song...I guess he wasn't singing in it for the entire song (like he does in Nothing Like A Love Song) but still. I think his voice is gorgeous and amazing but sometimes I think he overdoes the use of his falsetto.😶 I still love you Zac!!! 💙💙 You do you bro! 

Blue had me like 👊💙😕🎸😕 I was all over the place with this section! 😵

I can't believe I just listened to a brand new album by Hanson! This has been the first "real" album release for me. I "discovered" Hanson back in October of 2013. By November 2014 I had listened to most of their albums and liked them so much I decided to join their fan club. Anthem came out in June of 2013. Since being a fan-club member they have released multiple Fan Club EP's, Roots & Rock n' Roll EP, Play EP, Finally It's Christmas, I Was Born (single), String Theory, Perennial (including the single Nothing Like A Love Song) and then Against the World last year (which is still up for debate if that constitutes as an "album" per se as there were only 7 songs....don't get me wrong I LOVE it and I loved the way they released it...one song every month, but it still feels more "EPish" than album). So anyway, Red Green Blue felt like a legit, legit album and they've done such a great job promoting it and hyping it up and it's all been so exciting!! I can't lie, I'm sad that it's over. 😔 That I listened to it and now it's not "new" anymore. It's not like I'm not going to listen to it over and over again until I become super familiar with all of the songs just like I've done with all their other albums. It doesn't mean I won't get excited to hear my favorite song or it loses it's magic it's just...I don't know. I'm weird. I overthink things. I don't like endings. This line from their song Dying to be Alive perfectly explains the way I feel right now (just change the "sees" with "hears"): "The things you see hear the way you see hear them will never be seen heard again." Hanson understands! 😉💖💚💙

My overall thoughts on RGB: It's a vibe for sure! Each section is quite different from the other and they each stand out in their own way. I'm surprised by some of the song choices, they feel like they would be better suited as Member EP songs then public releases (I'm lookin' at you Zac!) but on the other hand, it's cool that they're opening up and (hopefully!) shedding some of that pre-conceived "boy band" stereotype people still label them with by doing something totally different and out of the box like this. I think it will surprise many people to hear just how diverse their musical abilities truly are. First, there was Against the World which was very classic "Hanson" with the overall pop/rock sound and now there's RGB that contains a mix of sounds and genres from roots, bluegrass, country twang, rock, funk, etc. It's cool! 

I admit, some of the songs still need to grow on me but some have already become new life mantras and anthems for my current season of life after only one listen and one quick perusal through the lyrics! You definitely get the sense that these guys are at a completely different place in their lives then they were in 1997 (obviously!) or even during the 2000's/2010's. They've always had thoughtful music with deeper messages and meanings then you would expect or grasp upon the first listen; but I feel like in this album you sense that more than ever. You can really hear it in the tones and moods of the songs. It makes sense, they're much older than they were when they started and they are different people now (while somehow still staying true to who they've always been). They've grown and changed and experienced new things and have gained new perspectives about life and everything that comes with it; love, joy, pain, etc. I hear that growth in their music and after White Rabbit (since I'm pretty sure those songs were all written after this album was finished) I sense a new freshness, like we're entering into a new "era" of Hanson music! It's super exciting!! I would love if they did an in-depth review and explained their creative process behind each of these songs. A lot of times it helps me understand and appreciate their work more and see where they're coming from. 

I've been reading other fans first impressions/thoughts (since listening to the album all the way through myself. I avoided any type of comments or "reviews" until I had a chance to hear for myself) and I think it's pretty split. Some fans are loving it, while others really don't get it. It's understandable, this is a pretty big departure from anything they've done before (aside from fan club EP's). I feel I'm sorta in the middle. I would say ultimately I prefer their more up-tempo "pop/rock" albums but at the same time I'm a sucker for a good acoustic, singer-songwriter and mellower, more relaxed vibe too. They've always excelled at that. I think a lot of these songs that are a little harder to really get into right now will improve upon hearing them live since Hanson seems to have this incredible ability to breathe new life and almost transform a song you think you know front and back into something spectacular live! 🤩 They THRIVE on stage! Makes sense, they've been working hard on it these past 30 years! 🤯❤️💚💙 

All-in-all, Hanson are great on their own but, as cliché' as it is, they really are better together! I see now how each brother contributes to the song writing process when they work together to craft their iconic "sound." At the same time, I'm glad they did this solo project experiment to allow them each to spread their wings and share their different perspectives and so each brother was given the chance to truly shine! 🌟 And prove they really can hold their own!

I hope Hanson has a lot of success with this newest release! That they start getting a little more attention and a whole lot more respect then they've had before! I really hope they gain a bunch of new, excited music fans who appreciate their work. That this tour blows everyone away!! 🙌🎸🤩 I can not WAIT to see them LIVE!!! It's going to be EPIC!! 🙌🎸😭🤩😍❤️💚💙

Hanson posted this to their blog today and .... ❤️💚💙😭👊👏🙌💓

"Just wanted to say a big thank you to everyone for helping us celebrate HANSON Day and for get the hype going for RGB these past few weeks.

Today marks the release of the Red Green Blue album. We had the privileg of seeing so many faces while signing records at Rough Trade in NYC, and it was yet another reminder of how many of you have joined us on this musical journey these past three decades. In so many ways the story of RGB is just beginning to be written but today we pass the torch, handing this music over to all of you. Whether it makes you smile, or cry, or just helps you pass the time, it is not only our anymore.

Thank you for helping support us all these years, for coming out to show after show, and tuning in to rock out from places across the globe. Over the next few months we will get to see many of your faces in person, and start to write a new chapter. We can't wait!"

I love you Hanson! ❤️💚💙 Thank you for all you do! For sharing your incredible gifts and talents with us, because you guys are on another level! The album is beautiful and I love how creative you all are, together and individually. Never stop being who you are! I can’t wait to begin this next chapter with you guys and continue to be amazed and inspired by your music ✨ Excited to see you in September! 🎉🙌❤️💚💙