I totally disagree with Joe P. (June 6 Backtalk) about how Hanson should turn heavy metal and how they’re the worst boy band ever. First, Hanson is NOT a boy band! A boy band is ‘N Sync, BSB, 98 3/8… Hanson is a band! Unless you’ve actually heard Hanson’s new album and not just one song, you can’t go around saying they are the worst. The song you heard may not be the best of their songs. Hanson went from bubble-gum pop to blues rock. I think their new sound is the best change they ever made. Read the lyrics; they are extremely deep and extraordinary. And as for them cutting their hair and turning punk – they DID cut their hair. Turning punk would just be a mistake on their part, because punk isn’t in their blood and punk bands don’t last a long time. Hanson will.
— Jenna M., 14
First of all, Joe P., Hanson is not a boy band. If you heard their new CD, “This Time Around,” you would be able to figure that out. Unlike boy bands, Hanson wrote every song on the CD and plays instruments. Just because Hanson has been out of the public eye for a while doesn’t mean that they were gone! Over that time, they were working extremely hard on their CD, did make some appearances and still sent out their fan magazine, MOE. Plus how do you know how the world of Hollywood and music works? Many people have come back in movies and music after not being in the public eye for a while. Also the Hansons did get their hair cut. And why do you want Hanson or anyone to change their style or music for anyone! They are fine the way they are.
— Lindsey C., 14
In response to Joe P., I totally disagree. Nobody makes you listen to them. They’re gearing toward an audience that likes rock. You, obviously, are not their biggest fan. Do you think they’re gonna change their sound just for you? And as for saying no one makes a comeback, that’s the most ridiculous thing I’ve ever heard! What about No Doubt (“Tragic Kingdom,” 1995, and “Return of Saturn,” 2000), Weird Al, Tom Jones and Jordan Knight? People make comebacks every day in the music biz. Why should Hanson change just so you like them? That’s like me saying, “Well, I don’t like Korn, so they should wash their hair, get some clothes and learn to sing.” There are people out there who actually LIKE their music, so why should they change for you?
— Mallory, 13
I just want to say a couple things. First off, Ike and Tay did cut their hair, but they didn’t need to, and Zac hasn’t, and I’m glad he didn’t. Secondly, why would they go heavy metal? Get this straight: They don’t have to cut their hair or go heavy metal just because YOU want them to and say they can’t come back. They never left.
— Lea K., 13
Joe P., you are caught in your own little world. HANSON turning METAL?! Ha! Anyway, musicians can “die out” and come back. Take Cher and Aerosmith. And about “once you go punk, you can never turn back” or whatever, sure, because all the people who were punk in the ’80s and have engineering jobs now are STILL punk. Rock on, dude.
To Sarah K. (June 6 Backtalk), I’m sorry, Christina Aguilera isn’t a role model. She’s a complete ditz and she dresses really… well, bluntly, slutty. She’s just as bad as Mandy Moore, except she passes herself off as a helpless little girl trying to be strong and represent “girl power,” which won’t ever happen. I find her to be pretty pitiful. But in reality, you can show skin and be beautiful beforehand, like, say, Pink. And she gives off a stronger image than Christina Aguilera, Mandy Moore or all the other little ditzy girls.
— Rebecca B.
Oooo-kay, I hate to be the one jumping to the defense of my fave trio, Hanson, but it has to be done. Joe P., let me just say that before you go judging any talented musical act, you should take the time to listen to and understand their lives and music. This is not aimed only at you, but is aimed at everyone who defends or attacks musical groups. Any musicians who are out in the spotlight working their butts off deserve an extreme amount of respect, even if you don’t like the music they produce. The Hanson brothers entered pop culture and became multiplatinum artists at the ages of 10, 13, and 16. I would love to see any old band do this. Personally I think of Hanson as one of the REAL boy bands because they are a BAND. They write, sing and play their own music and don’t need dance moves to sell a record. They really have true talent; their lyrics are beyond their years and have touched fans in many ways. Oh, and Joe, before you make comments, check your sources: Two members of Hanson cut their hair.
— Liz K., 13
The reason the Hanson brothers aren’t turning in their leather for jeans that show their underwear is because it isn’t their style. They’d rather be singing pop than making guitars scream and wail. Taylor has shortened his hair, and Isaac has cut it all the way. Also, who says they can’t come back? What about John Travolta? He was popular in the ’70s, died in the ’80s and came back in the ’90s. You can’t just force Hanson to turn heavy metal if they don’t want to. And personally, I don’t think they could ever do heavy metal as well as they sing pop.
— Bridget G., 11
Backtalk letters received last week:
About Hanson: 98 percent
About Britney: 1 percent
About anything else: 1 percent
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