Middle of Nowhere (CD - 1997)

Additional personnel: Stephen Lironi (guitar, keyboards, bass, percussion, programming); B.J. Cole (pedal steel); Endre Granat, John Wittenberg, Peter Kent, Murray Adler (violin); Carole Mukogawa (viola); Larry Corbett, Steve Richards (cello); Mark Hudson (harmonica); Ron McCarley (saxophone); Doug "Flava" Trantow (trumpet); Sandy Stein, William South (keyboards); David Stone (acoustic bass); Neil Stubenhaus (bass); Abe Laboriel Jr. (bass, drums); Ged Lynch (drums, percussion); Pandit Dinish (tabla); Michael Fisher, Michito Sanchez (percussion); The Dust Brothers (programming).

"MMMBop" was nominated for 1998 Grammy Awards for Record Of The Year and Best Pop Performance By A Duo Or Group With Vocal. Hanson was nominated for the 1998 Grammy Award for Best New Artist.

The three teen-aged Hanson brothers continue a fine tradition of youth and bubblegumminess that has continued in one form or another since Frankie Lymon first got together with The Teenagers. Like similar groups of the past, brothers Isaac (16), Taylor (13) and Zac (11) compose and play with the help of an army of studio musicians and co-writers ranging from Brill Building legends Barry Mann and Cynthia Weil to current hit-doctors Mark Hudson and Desmond Child. Harmonies, hooks and typical teen fare (puppy love and the like) abound. "Thinking Of You" displays Osmond-like yearnings; on "A Minute Without You," eldest bro Isaac gives a vocal reading worthy of David Cassidy. This unerring pop sensibility manifests itself best on the Dust Brothers-produced debut single "MMMBop." Based on a nonsensical word, the song emulates the irresistibility of classic Jackson 5 sides and uses hip turntable scratching to update it into the perfect slice of disposable pop. minimize