'90s Pop Sensation Hanson Is Still Going Strong After More Than 25 Years

Two decades since “MMMBop,” ’90s pop sensation Hanson is still going strong, with orchestral versions of their greatest hits. The Hanson brothers Isaac, Taylor and Zac join us.

The Hanson brothers have sold more than 16 million albums to date. Their album “String Theory” is out now. (@hansonmusic)

The inescapable ‘MMMBop’ sold millions back in 1997. When that record came out, brothers Isaac, Taylor and Zac Hanson were 16, 14 and 11, respectively — and, as a result, were widely viewed outside their fan base as a prefab boy band.

But even then, they were accomplished players and songwriters, capable of airtight arrangements and impeccable sibling harmonies. Now that they’re in their 30s (and still writing new records, selling out theaters and even brewing their own line of beer), they’re better positioned to demonstrate what’s long been obvious: These guys write hooks sturdy enough to hold up any kind of arrangement you can name.

The Hanson boys have done everything in their power to get you to listen beyond ‘MMMBop,' says the Associated Press.

"They’ve put out solid new music, live CDs, Christmas albums — OK, lots of Christmas albums — greatest hits collections, and even covers of songs by U2 and Radiohead. Now they’ve gone uptown — they’ve gone orchestral.

“The 23-track double album, ‘String Theory,’ finds Isaac, Taylor and Zac Hanson reworking past songs and unreleased ones for swaths of strings, woodwinds, brass and percussion. One new song, “Siren Call,” uses a full 46-piece orchestra.”

[Copyright 2018 NPR]