When I first started hearing that Hanson was coming back with yet another album, I was pretty stoked because there last album had pretty much amazed me with how versatile there style had become. The first samples I heard from the album had me thinking that they made this album for the fans that had followed them throughout the years. The first evidence is seen in the fact that instead of using a more pop based musical style, they went back and added more guitar riffs and more piano melodies as well. The fact that they also said in many interviews that they made the album with the fans in mind got me thinking they topped themselves and that they did. Every Hanson album has had a different message and with this one they set out to bring out songs that you can sing the lyrics and relate to them a bit. With this one in mind, they send the listener the message that life brings about challenges, dreams, messes in love and life, and also our willingness to be strong in life. So, without further ado here is my take on each song and some interpretation of each song.
1. Fired Up
Starting off the album is Fired Up, which for some odd reason, had me thinking of the motivational speaker Sam Crowley and his podcast “Every Day is Saturday”. This song does the same but in a different way. It starts off with a rock and roll tone and it keeps going off until it really pumps you up. The whole message of the song is that it acts as a tool to get people and maybe the individual to get themselves in gear and literally get fired up. It could be that we have to do something important and we are doubting ourselves a bit but this song fires up us up a bit. On the other hand, maybe we are already fired up and this gets us thinking in an even more positive tone. It gets you thinking that nothing will stop you and only you can really stop you from turning around in life. This song has also become my tool for waking up in the morning as I set out to accomplish something new everyday, no matter how small or big the task may be. Overall a perfect song to set the tone of the day.
2. I’ve Got Soul
A great song that kind of reminds me of some Michael Jackson songs from back in his early days. The basic idea and theme behind the song is that you see a girl and you’re not afraid to go out and ask her for a dance. It shows us that showing a little charisma and not being afraid can propel the person to show a little soul. I know when they are talking about putting petty feelings aside makes me think that going up to girls and not being shy is something I should take head on. The keyboard and the drums on the song make this a great song to drive on the road as it keeps you awake and alert as it keeps you pumped up. Great song in my opinion.
3. You Can’t Stop Us
Fuck, I love this song only because it reminds me of the times that I’ve been told I couldn’t do something I wanted to do. I remember when I first heard the sample of the song and thinking this is what has happened in some instances in my life. The song is split into three parts, with each brother taking a verse, and my favorite line of the song is “Your fancy words try to cut me down to size/ Hey Mr Mr /You’re in in for a big surprise/”. Words and actions from other people can only take you so far that it is up to the individual to take action in their life. When I think of the song, I hear the words “You don’t know crap and you don’t know anything” and I tell myself You can’t stop us. I believe that is what their message was in this song as people may try to tell you that this is a bad idea but only you can tell yourself that you can’t do it. For example, one person told me two years ago that I couldn’t advance beyond a certain class just because I had read a few books. However, that served as motivation for me to get to that class and eventually I finished it with that thought in the back of my head. Favorite song off the album because of the message it sends.
4. Get the Girl Back
The lead single off the album and even though it may not be my favorite song off the album, it is so damn catchy. Have you ever been in a situation where you’ve pissed off a girl and you just wanted to get her back? Well this song kind of describes that situation as the story behind the song is that the girl is walking away and you have to tell her how wonderful and beautiful she is. If that doesn’t happen then some guy may sneak in and grab her before you even have the chance. I like the song more so for the lyrics because they describe some situations I have seen some of my friends in life go through as they have to show rather than tell how they are going to get the girl back. Saying things right from the heart can also mean a whole lot more when it comes about in a situation where a crisis is abound. Overall, not my favorite. but it struck me as a decent song to kick off there campaign for the album.
5. Juliet
I always wondered why tragic plays such as Othello and Romeo and Juliet were made. In this case, this may be why as it is a story about a guy pouring his heart out for a girl he loves. In the play Romeo and Juliet it is almost like it is about chasing the girl for her love and here it is no different. He doesn’t know how to express his feelings so he decides to do it with a song as he describes how fine and pretty she is. In life, we all have a Juliet that we wish to sing about and here it is done with emotion. Relationships have ups and downs as described in the song as when girls and guys have been around each other for so long it is hard to tell when love is blooming or failing. But, in the end every guy knows that when they are in love they need that love because without that other person they feel just a little incomplete. Probably one of my favorite Hanson love songs.
6. Already Home
We all know what Home is but here the story is about someone who is lost and can’t seem to find where home is. The thing that made me listen to this song a few times over is that I really didn’t get the message of the song at first. At first, maybe it was about a guy that was telling a girl that she belongs with him but after looking at the lyrics it makes a little bit more sense. After reaing it, it seems to me like a song about a person that keeps trying to find the right fit for where they want to be but they can always go back home. Their identity is that of one that is always looking to keep moving but they don’t know how they keep ending up in the same place. The person keeps asking for help from a friend or a loved one but it may be a sticky situation where that person keeps standing there ground. It is almost a song that reminds me of when someone leaves their home where they were raised there whole life and they keep bouncing from town to town. However, they never seem to settle down and they somehow end up asking where home may be. Overall, an amazing song that just keeps going till the climax where the lyrics grab you and enthrall you till the end.
7. For your love
When I get married, I think I may use this song because it is so damn romantic. Your basic love song about a guy that is looking to defend his love’s honor and he just may even fight for it as well. I think the message of the song is that in a way love has to be unselfish on both sides because we are looking to satisfy both sides. What I enjoyed about the song is that it almost acts as a power ballad that stops and keeps going in the chorus. I believe I’ll keep this in mind as I journey forward in life.
8. Lost Without You
I said earlier that Track Number 3 “You Can’t Stop Us” was my favorite off the album but this is a close second because of how awesome the melodies sound off the song. I believe the song may be about a guy that has found that love and he doesn’t want to let her go after he has found her. I like the song for the slow keyboards that are brought in the middle of the song which make it seem like a slow build for the listener. Sometimes, it seems to me that love is difficult to find and this instance that may be what is happening here. The guy is willing to do anything for that girl and that is the message he conveys here. He essentially is lost without her because he wouldn’t know where else to go after he has found her in his journey. This song is perfect for going to sleep to as well because it is slow and almost dream like in the setting that they build it up as. Hanson outdoes themselves here due to the premise and the way the instruments connect well with the harmonies. A great song for all longing for love!
9. Cut Right through me
I like this song because it describes a situation where the guy gives into the girl’s temptation and beauty. Guys sometimes think they have all the answers but in essence the girl that is in our life can just make us go crazy. It is like the other day when I was hearing a podcast where they pointed out that a guy was talking smack about his girl but later he was talking about missing her already. Girls have this mystery to them that makes us guys give into them and I admit it is almost impossible not to journey into the unknown. But, we are always looking to go with what is familiar in life and routine is sometimes essential in life. I truly believe this song is just about how girls (and guys) can manipulate a situation into their favor and we really just do not know how they do it. It may be with their words, facial expressions, and/or just little subtle comments directed towards the individual. Such a great song and one that is great to sing along to as well.
10. Scream and Be Free
Wow, what a song and it is about what the title says scream and be free. The song is about living out our dreams and making them happen. It is also about the journey and story that we go through. The little steps that we take towards bettering ourselves in the long run scream out in the song. I enjoyed the song due due to the simple guitar riff and the fact that it is once again about not letting anything stand in your way of living out your dreams. Living life from day to day is much more important than thinking about doing something tomorrow. Raising your voice and making yourself be heard is something that is brought about in this song. I love the fact that this song encourages growth and development without being overly preachy. Overall, a great song that serves as motivation as I march forward in life. For what it says a wonderful melody and a great way to bring the final three tracks.
11. Tragic Symphony
As opposed to track 9 Cut Right Through Me, this song imposes that the guy is not that dumb and he sets out to expose the girl as being a manipulative person. It may be that the relationship is not healthy for the guy and he is starting to see the consequences whether it is through lies, deception, tragedy, or manipulation. The guy is pouring himself out there because he is giving it one last whirl in order for the girl to hear him out. The curtain has been raised and in this instance he sees right through what she is doing to him. Sometimes relationships act like that because we want to seem that everything is going well but in fact there may be some petty things which we aren’t aware of. I must say that the song surprised me at first because the title was misleading as I thought it would be slow and not as fast as I thought it would be. But, overall a decent song and one that brings together everything about some relationships.
12. Tonight
Technically, the last song on the album (not counting the encore) and I think of my life when I hear this song. This song is just fun and it gets you geared up for any situation where the day is ending and you got something going on. You may feel down and/or doubting yourself for that day is almost over. I personally feel the song is about taking a chance for that one night at an event or what have you. You may be too shy to ask for that dance from that pretty girl across the hall and you are scared shitless to ask her for that dance. In situations like that you may not be waiting for tomorrow but rather Tonight. Or you may be with a group of friends and you are just shooting the shit but there is that one person in the group that wants to start something that night. In essence, the song sends the message that we just have to be ourselves when we are out and if we wait till tomorrow to say something or do something then we may just be regretting it for a long time. I believe Hanson made this song with the intention of sending out the positive message of being in the moment and giving it all we got when we are in a win or lose situation. The song really speaks truths and it gives the group a perfect fit because the lyrics and the buildup of the end of the song really do it justice. Great song to end the album.
Encore: Save me from myself
Kind of a downer of a song since I believe the singer is trying to commit suicide because of the love that has left him. The singer speaks about being trapped in the deepest of his trenches because he has nowhere else to go and he needs help. He just doesn’t know where to find it in this instance. The weirdest part of the song is that there is no chorus and it speaks as a letter or a poem to the listener. I feel this song is kind of the sad ending that are fit for albums and overall that is what it does here. Overall, Anthem was worth the wait and I recommend giving it a listen even for those that think Hanson is not relevant anymore.
Overall
9/10
Some samples from the album:
![IMG_0183[1]](https://falsefinish.net/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/img_01831.jpg)
![DSCN6627[1]](https://falsefinish.net/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/dscn66271.jpg)
Just Another Day... 