Album Review: Mr. Hudson - Straight No Chaser

Posted by Mack of Sound-Savvy On 11:48 AM



Artist: Mr. Hudson
Album: Straight No Chaser
Release Date: 10.19.09 (UK) 12.1.09 (U.S. Release Date)


Straight No Chaser is the type of album you can flip on when you're ready for a change of pace from the monotony of hip-hop and R&B. In fact, it’d be considered pretty far left by the avid hip-hop fan and that’s one of the admirable qualities about this project. Mr. Hudson is a UK alternative rock band with heavy pop and R&B influences picked up by Kanye West’s G.O.O.D. Music imprint. Kanye West’s serves as executive producer and his influence on this project is undeniable, especially in the lead single Supernova on which he appears. Other highlights include the brazenly honest Anyone But Him (ft. Kid Cudi), the telltale White Lies, and Learning To Live. Also notable is Time, a raw, reflective track examining life and choices. I like the fact that this album is not made to sound like a hip-hop project, Mr. Hudson stays true to their craft under the direction of West. There are points in the album where the vocals seem a bit forced, as if the lead singer is trying to imitate someone of much grander stature but then there are mellow cuts like There Will Be Tears that really bring out his true nature as a vocalist. Some of the cuts take some time to adjust to but overall, it’s a decent project and well worth the listen.

Sound-Savvy rates Straight No Chaser with 4 out of 5 platinum headphones.

1 Comment

  1. I LOVE THIS ALBUM! I was rocking the sampler album before this dropped...this joint is SICK...even his album with "The Library" was equally as SICK. Can't wait to hear more from this dude.

    Posted on October 23, 2009 at 6:41 PM

     

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