Idolator

It’s been 13 years since “MmmBop” took over the airwaves and the collective hearts of America’s teens, and yet when most people hear of Hanson nowadays, that’s all they can think of (if they even know who the flaxen-haired brother trio is). Well, we think we need to retire the “MmmBop” references, because these boys have grown over the years—not only are Taylor, Isaac and Zac all married with kids, they’re about to release their eighth studio album Shout It Out, due June 8. PopEater premiered the band’s new single “Thinking ‘Bout Somethin’,” which you can listen to below.

The soulful track has a 60s and 70s big-band vibe with the addition of a funky guitar solo and a brass section. It’s a bouncy, hand-clapping jam we’re sure will get a decent amount of airplay this Summer, so don’t be surprised if there’s a Hanson revival in 2010, folks. The single will be available for purchase on April 27, and the brothers are also set to perform at Bamboozle, as well as five of their own concerts in New York at the end of the month, performing each one of their albums, in chronological order, in full.

Check out a few behind-the-scenes looks at their video shoot in their hometown of Tulsa for “Thinking ‘Bout Somethin’,” which Taylor explains to PopEater as “full of street dancing and loud cowbell and our friend, the brilliant Weird Al Yankovic.” Color us officially excited for this video to drop!

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fWO1Tzy4_dc&rel=0&color1=0xb1b1b1&color2=0xcfcfcf&hl=en_US&feature=player_embedded&fs=1]

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qDHY8KfhDEE&rel=0&color1=0xb1b1b1&color2=0xcfcfcf&hl=en_US&feature=player_embedded&fs=1]

Popeater

When Hanson were on the road with their last album, 2007’s ‘The Walk,’ their hands were full playing shows while also raising money and awareness to help fight HIV/AIDS and poverty in Africa. Carrying such a weighty message from city to city, they found a breath of fresh air at soundchecks and in hotel rooms, where they began writing new music that was inspired by something a little lighter — the classic ’50s and ’60s rock ‘n’ roll and soul that the brothers grew up on. With the R&B-tinged pop-rock of their upcoming LP, ‘Shout It Out,’ and its infectious first single, ‘Thinking ‘Bout Somethin,” it’s clear that the trio is aiming to take its early influences to heart while having a bit of fun.

“The ‘Shout It Out’ album is an invitation to turn up the music and hopefully ignite a feeling of musical nostalgia and optimism,” Taylor Hanson tells PopEater of the record, which drew in guest spots from Funk Brothers bassist Bob Babbitt and horn arranger Jerry Hey, who’s worked with Michael Jackson, Quincy Jones and more. “The song Thinking ‘Bout Somethin’ and the music video — full of street dancing and loud cowbell and our friend, the brilliant Weird Al Yankovic — are the first lines of that invitation.”

Taylor takes lead vocals on the funky kiss-off tune, and the soulful inflection of his voice is accompanied by melodic brass, Wurlitzer and a big, catchy chorus made up of Hanson’s signature three-part harmony.

The single can be downloaded via iTunes on April 27. Its as-yet-unreleased video, directed by Todd Edwards (‘Hoodwinked’), recreates a scene from ‘The Blues Brothers’ in which music spurs a crowd to dance in the streets. The band’s interpretation of the scene brings them to the streets of their hometown of Tulsa, Okla., and includes more than 300 extras: Yankovic, two of Taylor’s children, 60 local dancers and hundreds of fans who were invited to the set.

‘Shout It Out,’ featuring ‘Thinking ‘Bout Somethin’ and the track ‘Give a Little’ as single No. 2, will be available on June 8. At the end of April, Hanson are set to perform a sold out, five-night run of live shows in New York, N.Y., where they’ll play each of their albums in chronological order. Following those concerts are a handful of Bamboozle appearances and a US tour in support of the upcoming release, which kicks off on July 21. The dates for the tour will be revealed soon.

Tulsa World

New River Parks eatery open for business
Elwood’s Cafe is a satellite of the upcoming Blue Rose Restaurant.

Pat Quinn is served a beer Tuesday by Susan Allen at Elwood’s Cafe near 19th Street and Riverside Drive. Elwood’s is open daily from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. TOM GILBERT/Tulsa World

By P.J. LASSEK World Staff Writer
Published: 3/10/2010 2:23 AM
Last Modified: 3/10/2010 8:56 AM

Elwood’s is open for business with customer turnout in its first few days proving that River Parks remains an ideal spot for an outdoor cafe experience.

“The crowd has been unbelievable,” co-owner Tom Dittus said Tuesday.

Elwood’s Cafe, 1924 S. Riverside Drive, is in the popular former Rivers Edge Bistro and Cafe site.

It is a satellite cafe of the soon-to-be-built Blue Rose Restaurant, which will be just to the south and closer to the east bank.

Dittus, the owner of the former Blue Rose Cafe, is part of Swamphouse Partners LLC, which is resurrecting the Brookside restaurant on piers over the river.

Construction of the full-service restaurant is set to begin before the end of the month, with an opening planned in late August, Dittus said.

Meanwhile, Elwood’s, named after the Blue Rose’s penguin mascot, is serving park users with cold drinks, sandwiches and weekend entertainment.

Dittus said the weather over the weekend provided for a “great happy hour” crowd Friday.

“I think some people even took off work a little early to come down and see us,” he said.

Elwood’s is open daily from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. During warmer weather, the hours will be extended until midnight on the weekends, Dittus said.

The cafe will have live entertainment during the day on the weekends. Starting the first Thursday in April, local musician Mark Bruner will play every Thursday from 7 to 10 p.m.

Dittus said he is booking additional performers
for the rest of the summer.

The cafe caters to park users — walkers, joggers and cyclists — with items such as bottled water, sports drinks and energy bars.

In addition to soft drinks, it will offer a variety of beer and a deli menu with sandwiches made to order from fresh ingredients, he said.

The cafe also has Blue Rose T-shirts and hats for sale.

Dittus said the cafe’s sound system “created quite an attraction for our opening with the music playing to the park.”

He said most patron comments were about the renovated facility.

The small building has been opened up with drop-down awnings and a few propane heaters “so we can feed people when it’s chilly outside,” and a newly built “casual, funky” bar, Dittus said.

The cafe has about 15 tables that seat four each.

“The opening has just been wonderful,” he said. “I’ve seen a lot of old friends and I’m meeting a lot of new ones.”

Dittus said he is lucky to have partners who have “such a great vision.”

“It’s my job just to not screw it up,” he quipped.
A sample of the menu from Elwood’s Cafe

* The “Hanson,” named for the Tulsa singing trio: a fourcheese panini.

* The “Tractors,” named after the Tulsa-based band fronted by Steve Ripley: a beef, ham and cheddar sandwich topped with the works and creamy Italian dressing.

* The “Detox”: all-vegetable sandwich with balsamic dressing.

* The “Mazeppa,” named after Gailard Sartain’s character in the popular local 1970s late-night weekend show “The Uncanny Film Festival and Camp Meeting”: a spicy Italian sausage sandwich smothered with melted mozzarella.

Covering project costs
Infrastructure improvements: $250,000 in 2006 third-penny sales-tax money

Blue Rose Cafe restaurant: $350,000 in private funds

Elwood’s: $85,000 in private funds

Total: $685,000

Read more from this Tulsa World article at http://www.tulsaworld.com/news/article.aspx?subjectid=11&articleid=20100310_11_A8_PatQui291238&archive=yes

http://www.celebuzz.com/90s-teen-idols-where-they-g180801i34088541/

The Hanson Brothers. Zac, Tyler, and Isaac. Ahh, our memories of “Mmmbop” will never ever go away (and we have to admit, we still rock out to it). So where is this adorable trio these days???

Zac, Taylor, and Isaac have all met their dream girls and are happily married. Isaac has one girl, Taylor has 3 kids, and Zac is yet to become a daddy (but soon, he says!!). And after taking some time off but never officially ever calling it quits, the boys have announced a co-headlining tour with Hello Goodbye and a new album out called “Shout it Out,” which will be released on June 1, 2010!! We can’t wait!

Note: Someone needs to work on their fact checking… But its nice to see them get some positive mentions and promotion for the new album (due out June 8!)

The Daily Campus

There has always been teenybopper pop. Growing up in the days of Dreamstreet, it makes sense that I have a special spot in my heart for the tunes of the newest pre-teen dream, Justin Bieber. But that spot is small – and is decreasing in size after checking out his newest album, “My World 2.0.”
The thing that separates Bieber from the competition of years past, is that generally there are at least three tracks on a teenybopper pop CD that have extreme playability. For instance, take Hanson’s “Mmm Bop.” A pure classic. Compare “Mmm Bop” to Bieber’s current single “Baby,” and the average person would think that perhaps the rest of the album had some potential.
Well, it doesn’t.
Granted, Bieber is writing for his target audience of pre-teens, but the lyrics have little to no weight. Bieber kicks off the album with “Baby,” which has a sort of doo-wop blend that is admittingly catchy. Probably the strongest track on the album, he takes this older feel and combines it with contemporary hip-hop with the addition of Ludacris rap.
In terms of other strengths on the album, and there aren’t many – I’m prone to “Stuck In The Moment,” because of its unique beat and catchy hook.
But take a look at the lyrical downfall exemplified by “Eenie Meenie,” and it’s easy to see why the album has more shortcomings then successes. Bieber sings: “Can’t make up your mind/ Please don’t waste my time/ Not tryin’ to rewind/ I wish our hearts could come together as one/ Cause shorty is a eenie meenie miney mo lova.” Really? But don’t worry, it only gets worse. On “U Smile,” Bieber continuously sings “You smile/ I smile,” so many times I lost track.
Bieber takes his album to the disco with “Somebody to Love,” but it becomes apparent rather quickly that he’s simply repeating the same words – over, and over, and over again.
On “Overboard” teenyboppers unite. Bieber teams up with 14-year-old Jessica Jarrell. A valiant effort, but the duo fails. At his young age, it’s hard to tell Bieber apart from Jarrell and the slower track doesn’t contribute anything to the album besides a female touch.
Kudos to Bieber, at least you tried. For a young Canadian who was discovered via YouTube, you’ve done alright for yourself. Three stars for effort, better luck next time.