Hanson had all the makings of a one-hit wonder in 1997: a self-titled album that sold more than 8 million copies and a breakthrough single of fresh-faced pop called Mmm Bop.

So how does a sibling trio, which was then still in its teens, top such monster success? For Zac, Taylor and Isaac Hanson, it meant taking the low road. They jumped ship from the record industry conglomerate (Island/Def Jam) that helped forge their hits and released the new Underneath album on their own label.

In town Thursday as part of the Bling Bling Summer Ding concert at the Kentucky Theatre with 2003 American Idol semifinalist Kimberly Locke and rapper Cassidy (of Hotel fame), the newly independent Hanson is determined to find life in the post Mmm Bop pop world.

"I don't know if it was timing, destiny, or whatever, but Mmm Bop was one of those songs that just hit at a point where it left an indelible image on that time period," said Taylor Hanson, 20. "Whenever you make that strong of an impact, creating the next story is a challenge. But at the same time, there is this incredible upside. You've already initiated yourself into so many hearts and minds. That's something most bands never, ever reach."

Underneath is triggering a Hanson revival. It hit No. 1 on Billboard's independent sales chart and made its debut at No. 25 on the magazine's more widely referenced Top 200 albums chart.

The leadoff single, Penny & Me, is a similarly hot item on MTV's TRL program and scores of commercial radio play lists around the country. An extensive concert tour begins in July.

"With every album, you have to grow and change," Hanson said. "We've now established a powerful base for the albums to come. If Underneath was a jump, at all, the next one will be a leap."