Send "Mr Hudson " Ringtones to your Cell 
| Nme |
 One of the more befuddling cultural micro-phenomena of recent times has been the US hip-hop community’s sudden fascination with not-very-interesting British white-boy music. You can probably rationalise Jay-Z, Kanye West and Coldplay’s love-in as simply three globally massive artists comparing their respective vastnesses, but quite how perennial mattress-protector-requirers Keane persuaded on-the-rise Somali-Canadian rapper that it would be a good idea to work with them is a mystery indeed. Equally mysterious is how Mr Hudson, formerly eclecto-indie dullards Mr Hudson & The Library, has (we’ll say ‘has’ rather than ‘have’, given that members of The Library are now credited as guest performers) enraptured the aforementioned Messrs West and Z, unless they have been waiting all their life for a man who sounds like the mutant offspring of Sting and a bassoon being constantly fed through Auto-Tune....full text |
| Bbc |
| Londoner Ben Hudson, now shorn of his Library, follows the intrinsic English ska/pop charm of his 2007 debut album, A Tale of Two Cities, with this slick, Kanye West-produced collection. The rapper’s involvement is initially unsettling, but West’s championing of talents beside his own is far more successful here than at awards ceremonies. It’s testament to his creative strength that Hudson’s own style prevails over any other contributions. His debut’s characterful junk-shop anomalies have been ironed out, with electronic elements brought to the forefront, making way for a more expensive-of-feel affair. Despite the occasional ‘what does this button do?’ moment, it works with effortless grace. The songs, driven by modern RnB beats, are refreshingly unfussy, scattered piano motifs complementing a very un-American doubtfulness in Hudson’s lyrics. Association with big names is not for shrinking violets, but Hudson’s unflappable self-belief serves him well. London and LA have seldom chimed so effectively. Fears of Auto-Tune overkill are allayed following its effective use on the opening, arena-conquering Supernova and subsequent single White Lies. Thereafter studio tricks are tempered, with the album dropping a gear, as wistful romance and talk of the ‘hood collide. It does grow harder to love as it progresses, but as on his debut, Hudson’s songwriting rewards repeated listening. ...full text |
| Musicomh |
| This is a puzzle, make no mistake. Mr Hudson, he of the Library and their intimate, cross-cultural chamber pop, has been seduced by the bright lights of an even bigger city than his beloved London. His music always hinted at an element of hip hop in his upbringing, but Straight No Chaser takes that and shoves it unceremoniously in your face, with wide screen magnification. With the singer's buddy Kanye West guesting on Supernova, and his own appearance on Jay-Z's The Blueprint 3 album, such a move was perhaps inevitable for Hudson - but comes at a price. The big beats and rich, synthetic arrangements are programmed to uplift, yet the songs themselves carry the opposite message, their troubled author picking over the remnants of a faded relationship. Knew We Were Trouble gets to the heart of the matter, looking across at his sleeping partner and wondering "how did I get here?". Learning To Live is even more explicit, the distressed singer asking "where in the world will I go, I don't know, anywhere but here!" By Instant Messenger he has to step out from the club, retreating from the big beats for a reassuring cigarette....full text |
Mr Hudson lyrics
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