"We thought we'd be playing to like ten people," said Ben Hudson, bandleader and songwriter of Mr. Hudson, between songs last night. Instead, hundreds crowded into the Canal Room in New York for Mr. Hudson's second U.S. showcase. The two showcase performances--the first was in L.A.--introduced the band to its U.S. audience, which is sure to grow with the release of their upcoming album Straight No Chaser, produced by Kanye West. Kanye himself has set the bar high for Ben Hudson, telling MTV that Hudson "has the potential to be bigger than me, to be one of the most important artists of his generation."

Mr. Hudson tried to live up to that, playing six lush songs from their next album with a sound big enough to fill stadiums. Sadly Kanye wasn't there but Hudson was supported by six bandmates and showed some Jumbotron-ready rock-star moves while commanding the stage and played a pretty mean guitar on the rocking "Lift Your Head." The closer was the first single from Straight No Chaser, "Supernova," and the live performance shed some of the sheen from the studio version to good effect. Compared to Mr. Hudson's first album, titled A Tale of Two Cities and released under the name Mr. Hudson and the Library, the new songs are turned up and sped up. The library has been ejected from more than just the name. Still, Hudson has retained some British stiff upper lip and decorum, battling the flu to perform and at one point thanking all of America.

The brief set didn't leave room for any down-tempo songs, but the audience certainly didn't mind as they sang along. Mr. Hudson fused hip-hop's attention to beats, textured melodies, and rock vocals into a powerful sort of pop music. The crossover potential is immense. Kanye's recommendation gives Mr. Hudson the imprimatur of cool, but unfashionable parents might enjoy the stuff, too, even if last night would have been too loud.