String Theory is a clever name for an ambitious project by
Hanson. Reaching their quarter-century anniversary, the trio decided to revisit highlights from their previous albums with the assistance of symphonic arranger
David Campbell, who won Oscars for his work on Brokeback Mountain and Tarzan but is better known to pop fans as the father of
Beck.
Campbell assists
Hanson in freshening up their catalog, managing to give their early bubblegum hits a dose of maturity without turning them stuffy. For the curious, these handsome new versions of "Where's the Love" and "MmmBop" will be the gateway to the rest of
String Theory, which serves as ample proof that
Hanson built a rich catalog of savvy, melodic pop tunes over the course of their first 25 years. Sure, the original records might be a little snappier, but hearing these 23 songs as a distinct piece of work, it becomes clear that they've written an enduring songbook that is open to reinterpretations. ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine