(Image from Shadow Mountain Records)

If you're wondering why the "book" cover above looks kind of odd, it's because it's not a book cover at all.  It's a CD.  Don't worry, you're not on the wrong blog!  I just decided to change things up a little today.  Even though I don't talk about music much here at BBB, I listen to a lot of it.  And guess what?  My taste in music is just as eclectic as my taste in books.  Give me an upbeat Owl City song or a soulful Goo Goo Dolls ballad or a classic Simon and Garfunkel ditty—I love it all.  So, when Kathy of I Am A Reader Not A Writer offered me the opportunity to review a CD from a new singing group, I decided why not?  

Hudson Lights is made up of four men from the Rocky Mountains, three of whom are former Vocal Point members.  The quartet, whose sound has been described as "a fresh fusion of contemporary pop and jazz music" has given several notable performances in Utah.  Their self-titled debut album, which releases today, features covers of popular songs made famous by performers like The Beatles, U2 and Frank Sinatra.  It also includes two original tunes, Good to Me and Hold on To Me.  

So, what did I think of their first CD?  I liked it, overall.  Hudson Lights has a nice, mellow sound that's upbeat, but still soothing to the ears.  Their album offers a wide variety of songs, ranging in style from the catchy Hold On to Me to the lullaby-like Love Never Fails to a Big Band-ish Eleanor Rigby to a Groban-esque rendition of Brave.  The mix is a little strange, but I think it works, making the listener wonder what's coming up next.  Is the group's sound unique enough to make it stand out?  I'm not sure it is.  I'll have to see what they do with their next album.  In the meantime, I'm enjoying their debut.  A screaming, slobbering, die-hard fan I'm not, but I'll definitely be keeping my ear out for more from Hudson Lights.  

How about you?  Take a listen for yourself and let me know what do you think of this new singing group:

To the FTC, with love:  I received a complimentary Hudson Lights CD from the generous folks at Shadow Mountain Records in exchange for an honest review (via a blog tour coordinated by Kathy at I Am A Reader Not A Writer)