Oh I totally understand that feeling. And it's definitely true- some of the songs were a definite hold back from his true talent. I mean, Light On for instance is just plain NOT as good a song as he is capable of writing and singing. And certainly even some of the songs I really LIKE- Declaration, Come Back to Me, I Did it For You, and a few others- are more generic than I think he's capable of. Not that he would EVER let it on if he was a bit dissapointed with some of the songs, because he's extremely diplomatic and careful to never bite the hand that feeds him :P But yeah, I do get what you mean.

I just also feel like that was to be expected. And.. no joke, Bar-ba-sol and Permanent kind of redeem the entire album for me haha. They're SO good, and SO clearly him, that I'm willing to dismiss some of the other songs that are maybe a little too generic. And besides, generic doesn't necessarily mean BAD. I really DO love the vast majority of songs on the album. I think they're extremely catchy and I get them stuck in my head all the time. But, yes, I'm not disagreeing that artistically they are probably a bit below him.

But just watch- th more time passes and he gets more and more freedom, he WILL start creating music that more fully shows just how amazing he is :)

That said, I seriously cannot WAIT until he goes on tour next year, and I hope he pulls out some more entirely kick ass covers :D Because he and his band are actually insane. (in the best of ways, of course)

I'm a David Cook fangirl ALL the way

and I actually think his album is fantastic :) Sure, a couple of the songs are a bit on the generic side, and Light On is a little too screamy for me (not screamy in the sense that he doesn't have the vocal power to DO it, just screamy in the sense that he belts through 99% of the song). But over all I was pretty darn impressed. DEFINITELY the most legitimately good Idol debut album to date. Thhough Daughtry's comes really clase. But Bar-ba-sol and Permanent put Cook's over the edge for me.

("Permanent", for the record, is one of the most emotional, moving songs ever. It's SO unbelievably honest and just.. I love it. It's about his older brother Adam who has had cancer for about 10 years, just in case some people didn't know that)

OH OH and um. He and his *incredible* band do the most insane covers of songs as well. You know that tendency that Hanson has of doing covers better than the actual originals? Yeah, Cook and his band have that tendency too- to the EXTREME ;)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6TZz6velVnE

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ChKGjqIvyLU

For the record, I'm also a huge Jason Castro fan- he's SO adorable, and I love his musical style :) "Travelin' Through" is my absolute favorite studio recording that any of the Idols did last season

hehehe, I LOVE me some TTYMON (it's def from there, I know that video backwards and fowards haha)

I dunno that Tay has changed that much- he can definitely still be silly :P He's ALWAYS been the less wacky/more practical one of the group, he just has his moments of sillyness (probably being around Zac and Ike brings it out in him a bit hehe). So yeah, that's definitely still there :)

Like... here- still silly!

But yeah, anyway, I love that video! (it also makes me happy looking back on it NOW, because the question was "what do you reckon you'll be doing 5 years from now?" and now it's been over ELEVEN years, and they're still doing exactly what they love doing, and what we love them to do! :)

omg I know. It's always amazing to hear how much people FREAK when they pull out those older songs.

And... that's honestly why nothing will EVER compare to the magic of a Hanson concert. Because, there's no other concert you'll go to, really, where the artist can pull out a random song from YEARS ago that they recorded before they were even famous, and literally 95% of the audience will not only RECOGNIZE it right off the bat, but actually know every single lyric of it. That just... doesn't happen anywhere else! <3

found it!

HOLY MOLY that was wonderful <3 I love how they've been randomly bringing back all these older songs :) Cried, Thinking of You, and now Stories! (there may have been a few others too, but I just especially remember hearing they did Cried and being like "seriously? that's so random, but AMAZING!" haha)

^OMG seriously!?! How did I not know about this!? *goes to see if it's on youtube* <3

My favorites off of 3CG are definitely River, Stories, and Pictures (especially stories- it's a gorgeous song)

Oh AND With You In Your Dreams. I don't know why that particular version gets me soooo much, but it's just.. ug. So amazing. There's just something about how incredibly young and innocent Tay's voice was back then, singing such a deep song.. it's really powerful.

But yeah, 3CG is such an adorable album They sounded SO precious back then.

I would REALLY love for them to bring back Stories. I know they did it during the Albertain tour (cause it's on Road to Albertain, but I don't know that I've ever heard of them doing it since then. And I think they would sound sooo amazing doing it now

For some reason I feel like I remember it being mentioned that Taylor came up with the versus. Or at least some of them. (preeetty darn impressive for a 9 year old!)

But yeah, I think the chorus was more of a collective thing :)

See, it's funny because Tay's always gotten the wrap as the "serious one", while Zac's the wacky/silly/funny one and Ike can be pretty silly too.

But actually, I've always thought that they're ALL equally funny- just in different ways. Zac and Ike are, as I said, the wacky/silly ones. So they're going to seem more outwardly funny because they just have a very flamboyant kind of humore.

But Tay actually has this fantastic dry wit that people seem to overlook alot. But I've always highly enjoyed it. He's just very witty and clever in his sense of humor :) It's just that that kind of dry wit, when compared with more flamboyant sillyness, can come across as more serious. In reality, it's just a different KIND of humor.

NOT to imply that that Zac and Ike aren't smart (of course I'm sure they absolutely are), but just in terms of humor, Tay has the "smarter" sense of humor- one based in cleverness rather than just being silly. haha

So yeah, that's how I feel- I think they're ALL hysterical, and I've always loved the dynamic between them since Zac and Ike are so funny and silly, and Tay being his clever witty self just stands there like "ohhh my god how am I related to these goofs?" (though Tay definitely has his moments of sillyness too ;))

So I just read up on the TWLOHA site about what the organization is all about, and now I REALLY want to get one of those shirts.

I'm a big, big supporter of programs advocating for help with depression and other mental illnesses. I've kind of been struggling with depression a lot myself in the last few years, so... yeah. I think it's one of those things that goes frightningly untalked about most of the time, so it makes me really happy to hear about that organization. And it also makes me happy that Tay has a t-shirt from it :)

Awww- how sweet of him to make a blog! Lord knows he and Nat have probably got their hands full

and,

Thank YOU Tay! You guys inspire US!! <3 

It's SUCH an incredibly powerful song. Especially live, when Tay introduces it and stuff. They played it at the NYC show I went to, and there was one particular point while he was explaining what the song was about that his voice actually cracked- very noticabley. Now, whether that was from emotion or just from his throat being dry I'm really not sure, but I know it certainly made it more emotional hearing about the song for ME. haha

Actually.. I'm not sure if it's legit or not to post concert videos, so I'm just going to type out the intro from that night, because it was THAT powerful:

"When we do the walks, we talk about how we can take simple actions to make a difference. And sometimes you can get confused about what the difference you're really trying to make is. We sat down this summer to try and write some songs we felt like were reflective of what we experienced and the things we'd seen, and... the thing I can't get out of my mind as we do these walks is what the next generation could be given by us deciding to do something. When you visit these communities in Africa, one of the things you see is graveyards where... whole sections, where the graves are *this* big [indicating a very small size], because the next generation of kids is already saying goodbye. And they're born with a disease that gives them 3 years to live. So when we do these walks [this is where his voice cracked] and we talk about these 1 walk miles, this $1 that we're giving for everybody that came today, and for the thousands of people that bought shoes last year with Tom's, and the people that came and walked today, and yesterday in Boston when it was really friggin cold... what we're doing is we're looking at what we're going to do for that ONE person, for that ONE child, for that one grave that will not be dug because we decided to take the walk.

[crowd cheers] you can cheer for that!

So... as we stand here, we don't need to feel overwhelmed, we need to feel... like we can help make a difference and change that whole cycle by deciding to take action. Thank you guys today that took the walk with us, and made it a part of the walk around the world.

This is a song... this is a song about the one thing that a parent never wants to do, which is to say goodbye to their child before their time. This is a song called Lay Me Down"

.. oy. I'm getting all shivery just typing that out. But yeah. REALLY super emotional moment of the show. You can absolutely tell that that song in particular... means a whole lot to them. If you want to see that video, it IS on the Tube, just search for it- it was the NYC Nokia Theater show ;) I just don't want to post it directly in case it's not allowed.

^LOL at the end of that clip, where Zac was being his usual self and saying something whacky, and Tay just standing there with a grin like "I don't know himmm" 

and yeah, the skit DEFINITELY used to be on myspace, and now it seems to not be. Arggg

The comments on that jibjab page p*ss me off

Get over it losers, they were ADORABLE (and still are).

Whateva, their loss for not knowing that Hanson is amazing :P

Haha, so.. I guess I agree with the new album idea (I had originally said I'd rather just continuing to release music, but along with the Walk theme).

But again, I really just don't SEE them stopping the activism any time soon. It might take another form besides the walks, but I can't see them just up and leaving the AIDS in Africa issue now that the Walk tours are over. I think they care too much about it to make a new album and just forget about it.

All I ask is that, if they DO change what they do in terms of how they go about activism, that they keep doing something we can all really get physically involved in :) Not just like.. raising money over the internet or something. I mean, that kind of thing is AWESOME as a suppliment, but what made the Walks so special is that it was them coming out and actually physically getting us to take action! And it was just SOOOO inspiring and amazing. So I want them continue with something along those lines.

I mean, I'd be lying if I said that part of it wasn't that it was incredible to have such an easy opportunity to meet them and speak with them for a significant period of time, about something important, one on one haha. But honestly, it was so much more than that too. It was just about the fact that... they actually made the time to come out and GET everyone moving, and talk to everyone about something they really cared about. And that inspired US to get out there and take action as well. The one on one contact was special not mostly because it gave us a chance to meet the guys, but becuase it was one on one contact about something important.

So yeah, I reeeally do not want them to loose that in whatever they do next. I want them to continue inspiring us on the most personal level possible :)

I think it's a tie between Save Me and Crazy Beautiful :)

Oh and yes, Oh!Darling too!!

Yeah, he DEFINITELY really plays.

And yes, just like typing, I'm sure that when you play the piano enough you just start to memorize it :) My guess is that he could probably even just sit down and improvise a tune right off the top of his head.

Again, it's very much like a computer keyboard: once you learn it well enough, you know what note each key plays, and what notes can be played in a pattern that will form a coherent and pleasing musical phrase.

So yeah, although I'm SURE he messes up from time to time, he's been playing so long it's probably like second nature to him! So I doubt he messes up all that often haha- especially on the songs that they play alll the time

But yeah, for SURE he doesn't fake playing ever unless they're doing a performance where the people in charge specifically say they're not allowed to play live, and that they must use a track.

Ah, see, in theory I might agree (in terms of the fact that it's been almost 2 years now that they've been doing The Walk stuff, so in theory it would make sense for them to move on), but the thing is that this isn't really something that you just start and then up and leave it to make a new album, you know?

MAYBE once they complete the 24, 902 recorded miles that they have set as a goal. But even after that, I would kind of expect that they'd continue with activism.

Actually, what might be a cool idea is to continue touring for The Walk Around The World until that goal is reached (or even just continuing to host walking events- even if not doing full shows afterwards), and then take some time off and make a new album. From there, they could either continue doing the walks even with the new album, or they could think of some other fun way to get people involved with activism for AIDS/Africa. I can't personally think of anything else that would be as cool as the walks, but then again I never would have thought of hosting 1 mile barefoot walks either! haha.

OR they could focus their efforts on another cause. Maybe, since the times are so hard in THIS country, somehow finding a way to help people here. Although, again, as cool as that would be, I have a feeling they're going to want to continue their work for AIDS in Africa. Because I feel like, since they DID do this all for the right reasons, they're not looking to just "be charitable for the sake of seeming nice". They're doing it because they discovered a problem in another country that really conserned them, and that they want to help cure. So I don't think they'd just up and switch their cause now. I think they probably intend to stick with this Africa stuff until they've made some real, significant contribution to solving the problem. They could always broaden their horizens and do a more general fight against HIV/AIDS around the world or something like that, but I think they'll probably stick with that theme until they really feel that it's not something that needs their help anymore :)

You know what annoyed me more than anything? That INTERVIEWER lady who just couldn't stop saying how annoyed she was after only 3 minutes. That was ONE time through the song, lady, ONE time! It's NOT a bad song. Get over it. haha

But no, I can understand why they'd choose mmmbop. As much as I love the song itself, the MON version, though infinitely catchy, IS by far the most bubblegum, especially since Tay's voice was just so high back then. Again, don't get me wrong, I ADORE the song, but I feel like that might partially be because I've heard it arranged so many different ways, many with a much more acoustic sound :) So yeah, I personally adore the song, but I'm not gonna lie and say I don't get why they would have chosen it for something like that haha.

My goal is to actually TALK to them on the walk next time!! haha. In NYC, I walked RIGHT next to Zac for most of the walk, and then right next to Ike for a few minutes, and I never even said anything haha. I just... walked and listen to them talk to other poeple about Africa things :)

That was perfectly nice, but I REALLY need to get up the guts to actually converse with them myself lol

And yes, I too need to meet Tay. Boy walks to dang fast for me though!

I *almost* kind of don't want them to stop with this Walk theme. And by that I absolutely don't mean no new music- I just mean that this whole Walk Around The World project has been sooooo amazing to be a part of, and I really do not want it to end.

The good thing is, I don't SEE them ending the project anytime soon :)

So I guess... ideally I'd love for them to do the exact thing they did with this latest leg of the tour, and the new EP. Continue making new music (and obviously not all of it has to revolve around the Walk project like the EP did), and releasing it in small chunks, and then tour with it.

Basically I want them to keep touring!! hehe. Before the Walk Tour began, I hadn't been to a Hanson concert since 1998, and now I've got the bug again. I need more live shows :) I'd rather them NOT retreat for a year or two and work on a completely new project. And again, the good thing I don't quite feel like they ARE planning to do that. This Walk thing is different than previous records in that.. there's this whole activism thing that goes along with it, and I highly doubt they'd ever just quit that to start something totally new. So I can really SEE them making new music, but continuing to introduce it not as a new project, but as an extension of the Take the Walk initiative.

Sorry this turned into a huge ramble haha.. but yeah :)

I actually haven't gotten one yet (I know, I know, I'm a terrible Hanson fan- I AM ordering one though!! Just.. money issues right now haha)

But, just going off of the preview of the introduction alone, I'm going to say it's ABSOLUTELY worth it

Tay's intro is soo beautiful <3 He's so gosh darn good with words, it's crazy!

haha, well, assuming it's the same way Viggo Mortenson pronounces it, it's "vee-go" :)

(yeah, I wouldn't know the name EXCEPT that I know of Viggo Mortenson, the actor ;))

YAYYY congrats to Tay and Nat!!

and they always pick the cutest names <3

Follow Your Lead, absolutely :)

It's so FREKKEN addicting for me it's not even funny

hehe, it's soo true You can tell that they genuinely crack each other up, and enjoy being around each other. It's so refreshing to see!

And also I've always really loved the way, whether it be while they're being silly or while they're talking about something serious, they always give each other their full attention. Tay is especially good about it, but Zac and Ike are good about it too. They just seem to have a real, genuine respect for each other and I love it

LOL at the end! I love how Tay's just like "ok cutting Ike off now"

*le sigh* whyyy are they so awesome? <33

He does indeed have a GLORIOUS smile

I just discovered this video last night, and could NOT stop grinning throughout the whole thing because he's just so gosh darn ADORABLE!

"Zac: Do you think she'd be interested in moving to Oklahoma? It's kinda flat there."

I've totally been meaning to bump this thread!! So YAY for it already being bumped :D

And yeah, the album is AMAZING. For real, THE most legitimately great Idol debut album by a MILE.

EVERYONE GO BUY IT IF YOU HAVEN'T ALREADY!!! (preferably on itunes, just cause.. it was at #1 on there most of today, and it just fell to #2 under Nickelback :( It deserves to be 1!!

and if it gives you any MORE insentive to try and keep it at #1 on itunes- or anywhere else for that matter: Cook totally got teary eyed and hugged his mommy when he heard the news this morning <33)

Oh and just in terms of the 95% of the black vote-

I really believe that makes sense. Sure, like I said, there WILL always be those ignorant few who really did vote for him just because of his race. But for the vast MAJORITY of black voters, I think it was because a more progressive government is highly in their favor. Under the Bush administration, the gap between the average income among black families and the average income among white families has grown like CRAZY. Although it's become much less obviously apparant, there's still massive racial inequality in this country, and a progressive government which cuts taxes for the lower class is going to lend itself to remidying that.

So really, I think the MAIN reason for such strong black support for Obama was not ignorance of the issues, but rather just that he gave people who have never felt it was worth it to vote before, a reason to vote. Gore and Kerry, though Democrats, were both very very moderate- practicaly in the MIDDLE as opposed to truly on the left. So, with their barely-more-progressive-than-Republican policies, they naturally weren't going to activate large numbers of new minority voters. But Obama ran a much more progressive campaign policy wise, so it DID end up activating all these lower income minorities, like blacks, to get out there and vote. :)

Again, I'm certainly NOT denying there were some ignorant people who were like "oh! a black candidate! totally voting for him!", but I just don't think that was ANY more prevelant than the number of whites who bought into the "Obama is Arab and a terrorist thing", and so voted for McCain on that basis.