I bought the first new Hanson track in nearly two years today: Great Divide, written to benefit AIDS awareness. I hadn't even known it was coming out until about a week ago, but then eagerly awaited its release today, and even downloaded ITunes at work in preparation to purchase it.

It's a funk rock choral piece, very classic Hanson in the deep piano chords and tight harmonies in the chorus, but also a step forward from their previous work - more layers, less production, more soul. I listened to it and felt chills, and have been playing it intermittently with the rest of my music all day.

Their music makes me want to close my eyes and let it resonate through my heart, literally move me, so I can feel my throat itch to sing their words back to them, and sing my own words to people I wish to touch. They've been my inspiration for almost a decade, pushing me to vocalize my thoughts and ideas and fight for what I truly believe. They're such a model of strength for me, and it's difficult for me to articulate that to people without sounding melodramatic, or naive and immature.

But just as they do... I continue the fight, and I know what I believe to be true. They're the most genuine role models I've seen in my life, and I'm so proud to love them.

[EDIT] Watch video here. I hope that some of my readers can keep an open mind about the band and watch their faces as they sing - there's something so real there. It's unbelievable how much they still affect me. Allison, are you watching? [/EDIT]