OTTAWA -- Hanson? Are they still around? Do they still play, like, MMMBop and stuff?

They are. They do.

And why not? In today's retro-obsessed world, we can be no more than a year or two away from the day when some station calling itself Phil or Ted or Shemp will have the irresistible little tune in heavy rotation again.

Moreover, the Tulsa trio still has something to say. Maybe even a lot. Granted, it's nothing profound -- or no more profound than MMMBop, anyway -- but it's still married to a catchy tune or three.

And, it appears, Hanson still matters to a modest, predominantly-female fan base.

Last night at the Civic Centre, Hanson hit the stage (a mere 20 minutes after being announced) to a loyal, screaming crowd not unlike the one that no doubt would have greeted them had they included Ottawa on their touring schedule some seven years ago, when the then-teenaged band first scaled the charts with their neo-Jackson 5 blue-eyed soul.

(Not that they're exactly ancient now; the oldest, Isaac, is only 23.)

Hanson treated fans to a healthy mix of songs from each CD, with a couple of new ones thrown in to keep things fresh. But it was the evening's surprises that suggested Hanson should not be taken too lightly.

PERPLEXED FANS

The first, following a fine power-pop set from Atlanta-based opening act Michael Tolcher, came from Tom Waits, whose music echoed through the Civic Centre Theatre while perplexed fans awaited their idols.

"Is this Hanson?" one curious teen asked a staffer.

Hardly, thought this reviewer.

Ah, but then came the second surprise, in the form of Radiohead's Optimistic, the noisy set opener from Isaac, Taylor, Zac Hanson and their two very-much-in-the-background hired hands.

Hanson sing Radiohead? Hang on a minute.

But the world revolved as it should for the remainder of the set, which included a more predictable cover of Gimmie Some Lovin'.

But little surprises kept coming. Like little Zac, who is all grown up and who, according to his song dedication, even has a girlfriend. Has it really been that long since those adorable little kids took over MuchMusic?

Throughout the band's lengthy set, one had to marvel at the musical skills of these young men. Each is adept at more than one instrument. Each can sing -- though the show essentially belonged to the golden voice of middle-brother Taylor.

They know their way around a song better than most. If the Hansons can teach other songwriters one thing (and they've recently been approached for collaborations by the likes of Matthew Sweet and New Radical Gregg Alexander), it is the enduring value of a solid middle-eight. They may not find their way back to the charts on their own, but their songs will.

And so, as things built toward the inevitable MMMBop finale, one could not help but admire this band that has grown up battling the one-hit-wonder label.

Take a quick run through the radio dial. You won't find music much better than what we heard at the Civic Centre last night.

Truth be told, though, Hanson could benefit from a few more rough edges. The slick production hardly does the live show justice.

But then, radio hates surprises.

JAM! Rating: 3 out of 5