Album Notes

wallscenery demos is an indie-pop music project fronted by james hicken that was realized in the mid 2000s in Toronto. The self-titled independent release (april 08) was praised as a concept album that played seamlessly from beginning to end. Aside from a supporting show for Jay Sad and Ex-Po and a few acoustic appearances by james with northwest division after its release, the debut album was largely promoted by word of mouth as well as reviews and features in music publications/blogs.


Currently splitting time between Toronto and New York City, wsd are set to release the 2nd album entitled check this! in September of 2009. The album includes pop hooks, atmospheric sounds, samples from city life in Toronto and New York, as well as complex sonic textures. check this! uses thematic interludes to tie songs together to create an atmosphere heavy album meant for listening to as a whole.


check this! features the following musical guests:

michael rosenthal [sun parlour players and many others]

sheldon kelly [northwest division, jetset motel]

peter forbes [northwest division]

mike daley [northwest division]

nichol s robertson [the lollipop people, fred spek and many others]

jay sad [chemical sound, jay sad, the novels]
hugh oliver [hugh and rosie]

PRESS

"The album is dotted with short snippets of everyday life sounds. Whether it be car commercials ("[car = guns]") or the weather ("[brooklyn rain]") these tracks are used well to deftly segue from one mood to another.

check this! may be a little intimidating with it's size, but it's a sonic voyage that's well worth the investment. Let's hope it makes it out in time to get due consideration for year end lists."
--- www.snobsmusic.net


"wallscenery demos cite Guided By Voices as an influence and the scattershot, quick hitting approach of something like Bee Thousand is clearly evident."
--- www.citizendick.org