Press
Georgia Straight Review
Scenes (Wundertone Recordings)
It might be Stephen Hedley's name on the cover, but the sound of this CD owes a lot to the supporting cast. Really, you can't go too far wrong working with people like Mary Ancheta, Jonathan Anderson, and Vincent Jones, and their involvement gives Scenes a rich, full-spectrum feel that elevates it above other contenders in the singer-songwriter category. Witness the lushly ethereal “Downtown”, which bubbles with synth squiggles that would make a Radiohead fan sit up and take notice, or the closing “Oh Lord”, where soft acoustic picking is underscored by sweeping lap-steel tones.
Mind you, Hedley himself is a gifted tunesmith whose lilting voice has just enough grain to give his delivery a bit of grit. You almost get the feeling he doesn't really need all those other folks—but it sure doesn't hurt having them around.
Indie Music.com
I can sum up Scenes by Stephen Hedley in two words: perfect pop.
First and foremost, there’s Hedley, a Canadian singer-songwriter gifted with a fluid, sonorous tenor and savvy composing skills. He and co-producer/engineer Aaron MacDonald make all the right moves on Scenes, creating dynamic soundscapes and paying homage to diverse musical influences while sounding fresh.
There’s a lot going on here without becoming congested. Sophisticated instrumental and vocal layers ebb and flow organically. Although there isn’t a weak track on the disc, my top pick is "Yellow Dog," with its powerful, ascending chorus. Other favorites include the mesmerizing "Downtown" and the plaintive "Lisa."
Pop is sometimes equated with fluff, but that’s definitely not the case here. Scenes presents talented, sensitive musicians performing well-crafted songs that are given the polish to make them shine by producers Hedley and MacDonald. A winner in every way.
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