Early Hanson Shows Surprising Maturity

*** HANSON

“Three Car Garage: The Independent Recordings ‘95-’96” Mercury

Sure, it’s a little early for a “Hanson Anthology” trip through the archives, but this collection from the Tulsa trio’s pre-fame (and largely preteen) home recordings is surprisingly rewarding. If nothing else, it proves that Isaac, Taylor and Zachary could really write and play, well before such pros as the Dust Brothers helped craft the 1997 mega-hit “Middle of Nowhere” album.

Allowing for the relatively crude garage facilities, this is pretty solid-sounding. Allowing for their age--they were 14, 12 and 9, respectively, in ‘95--it’s at times astounding. It’s no less accomplished and entertaining in performance and songwriting--a now-familiar mix of ‘50s rock and ‘60s pop influences--than it is youthfully exuberant. Their best-known song, “MMMBop,” one of three that were redone for “Nowhere,” is a little slower and lacks the Dusts’ polish, but is otherwise identical to the smash version.

And the nine non-”Nowhere” songs--from the hopeful, upbeat opener “Day Has Come” to the confident prayer “Surely as the Sun”--are hardly dregs, often carrying a sophistication well beyond the brothers’ years. But even not allowing for age, this tops the efforts of many so-called adults--though what adult could get away with “Soldier,” the ballad of a lonely toy, without sounding either twee or cynical?

Albums are rated on a scale of one star (poor), two stars (fair), three stars (good) and four stars (excellent).