Music Notes: Great Divide

I find hope and it gives me rest

I find hope in a beating chest

I find hope in what eyes don't see

I find hope in your hate for me

One of my favourite things about the philosophy behind Hanson's music is that they are extremely candid about the process they need to go through to make a record. The three brothers, well-known for their Mmmbop single from the era of bubblegum pop, produce their albums with their independent label. It seems that with each new record comes a new documentary that explores the struggles that go hand-in-hand with trying to remain independent in a large business.

The video posted below -- "Great Divide" -- is from the album The Walk, a time in Hanson's career when they partnered up with TOMS to establish "walks" in various cities in order to promote awareness. They have a series of videos on YouTube -- entitled "Taking The Walk" -- that chronicle the events surrounding this album. Prior to this, Hanson created a documentary called "Strong Enough to Break" that tells the story of creating their Underneath album.

Understanding the stories behind the albums makes Hanson's music just that little bit more personal. While the music can certainly speak for itself, it's also nice to hear about the struggles and successes that the band needs to go through. Too often the concept of "fame" disguises the work that goes into being successful - in any sort of business - and the stories that Hanson shares with fans does provide an honest glimpse into the business of music.