By By Elyssa A. Goldstein

After eight-plus years in the mainstream music industry, the trio of Hanson brothers has finally released a “greatest hits” album of sorts on their self-founded record label, 3CG. Live and Electric is the band’s second live commercial release, along with 1998’s Live From Albertane. The concert was recorded at the Palais Theatre in Melbourne, Australia. Isaac, Taylor and Zac showcase their ever-growing musical abilities on a record that truly captures the band at their best-on stage.

The album begins with a cover of Radiohead’s “Optimistic,” serving as a theme song for the band’s current attitude and transition from pop to rock, major-label artists to indie-label artists and musicians to entrepreneurs. “Every Word I Say” (the B-side from the “Penny & Me” single) follows with Taylor’s driving lead vocals that have truly come to define the band’s sound throughout the years.

A newly-arranged “Where’s The Love” draws in the listener, as does “I Will Come to You” and “Look At You” from the band’s 1997 debut album, Middle of Nowhere. The smash single, “MMMBop,” arrives well into the set, still eliciting one of the biggest responses from the crowd many years (and hits) later.

The band rocks out on “Hand In Hand” and “If Only,” from 2000’s This Time Around and closes the record with the moving piano ballad, “A Song To Sing.” Recent hits from 2004’s Underneath, “Strong Enough to Break,” “Penny & Me” and the title track, are further testaments to the pure talent of the brothers. Two previously unreleased tracks, “Rock & Roll Razorblade” and “Being Me” (DVD version only) are reason enough to buy the record, and brilliantly showcase the constant evolution in the brothers’ songwriting.

This album is a refreshing disc for Hanson fans and genuine fans of music worldwide.

The Chronicle gives “The Best of