Angels fly own course.

Hanson's single, Penny & Me, is released on Monday. The album, Underneath, is out on February 7

Remember Hanson ( the three angelic-looking brothers with long blond hair and beaming smiles who got our toes tapping to MmmBop back in 1997?

Their next songs, Where's The Love and I Will Come To You, got to fourth and fifth spot respectively in the UK singles charts, before they disappeared... until now.

But Isaac, Taylor and Zac Hanson return as grown-up men, not as boys. No longer are they dictated to when it comes to music ( this time, they're writing their own songs and choosing which direction their music is headed. And the brothers from Tulsa, Oklahoma, have chosen indie-rock rather than cheesy pop.

"We're being led by the songs, and writing different music," explains Taylor, 21.

"We started off being inspired by rock'n'roll, and classics, but we always try new things. Music has to evolve and change, otherwise it would be so boring. We're liberated musically more so than we've ever been."

And it seems being free in terms of the music is more than just being adventurous with melodies. Having escaped from the major record companies, the trio now work on their own 3CG Records, completely financing the recording and marketing in the US.

The desire to declare their independence stemmed from the friction the band felt with their former label, Island/Def Jam. After trying to make the relationship work, the threesome decided it was time to move on.

Eldest brother Isaac, 24, explains: "After a certain point, we said `We can't do this anymore. This is not productive and we know where we need to go with this'. We said `Look, the only way that we can have a career in music is to go with our gut, as we always have'."

And the collective gut of Hanson didn't let the brothers down. The same instincts and talent that led them to create MmmBop, winning them Grammy nominations in 1998 for Best New Artist, Record Of The Year and Best Pop Performance, has led the boys to their most accomplished and mature album, Underneath.

"Underneath is inevitably being seen as our comeback album for the UK because we've been away for so long," says Isaac.

"We chose that title because it seemed obvious. It represented our frustrated cry for help. It's a metaphor about not judging a book by its cover, and instead, checking out what's underneath. We encourage our fans to dig a little deeper, and not judge us from our earlier pop music."

"What we've been able to do with this album is affirm the successes that we've had over the years that we've had over the years with the music, and lay a new foundation for this music and records to come," says Zac, 19.

Taylor adds: "We were writing songs with a definite flavour. We wanted that to survive to the final mix. Our goal for this record was to make the best one ever, and that's what we always strive for. With Underneath, we go back to basics of owning our own music, which is a powerful message to our fans."

The band's loyal following has certainly proved to be an inspiration to the boys.

"We have incredible fans, and we believe in their passion for music," says Isaac.

"Going back to the UK last year and playing sold-out shows was good, even after so many years, because we felt their passion, which gives us the fuel when we perform and write songs."

Adds Taylor: "There are so many people for us to re-reach again or re-touch base with, but every fan that we grab is one that we want to value more than we have ever before. Our currency with our fans has always been trust and passion."

There's little wonder that they place their fans on a high pedestal ( after being in the music business for 13 years, the trio have come to realise there's more to success than publicity and profit-making organisations.

"This year is a new phase for the band, and we feel energised," explains Isaac.

"Things are starting to change in the industry, with small independent labels paving the way," says Taylor.

"Every artist has cards that they're dealt, and it's hard to maintain success in such a competitive industry. The real key is building up a strong direct relationship with the fans who care about the artist, not just the single."