Music review: Autumn Leaves
3rd June 2010 by Nathaniel Brown
I get real excited when young people are prepared to put their talent in God's hands and let him use it how he wants! At 16, Thelma Stace has a whole lot of talent as a singer/songwriter but instead of just sitting on it and being all shy about it, she's had the vision and drive to record her songs and is letting God get the glory ... how mint is that?!
Released in late 2009 Autumn Leaves is Thelma's first album and it's made up of 10 tracks written over the last few years. It was recorded and mixed by fellow Salvo James Cox and whilst there hasn't been a big budget to throw behind the project, the product is definitely worth a listen.
Musically it falls within the acoustic folk/light rock genre. Most of the tracks are driven by Thelma's acoustic guitar skills but there's also a nice little piano interlude mid-album on Autumn Leaves and I Am Home. It's a bit Missy Higgins and a bit Kasey Chambers (without the country twang), with Thelma's rich vocals being my highlight for the album.
She has a gift for thoughtful melodies that are vocally accessible without being predictable. Personal faves on the album are the title track Autumn Leaves (simple, fragile, strong) and the wistful tune The Sea of Bitterness (not sure why I like this one, it just connected).
Lyrically, Autumn Leaves tells Thelma's story. It's not specifically a worship album, but it's clearly the story of a Christ follower singing out her spiritual journey.
It's also not specifically a teenage diary album but it clearly expresses the thoughts, hopes and challenges of growing up. Knowing the maturity of most people at 16 (well, particularly me back in the day) I was pretty surprised by the depth of maturity expressed through this album.
Big ups to Thelma for this project. It's not always technically perfect or musically precise but the sense of raw honesty you get when listening to it is attractive; and I hope that Autumn Leaves gets you inspired to invest the gift that's inside you.
Nate Brown
Autumn Leaves is available from The Greater West Divisional Headquarters, or by writing to Thelma at PO BOX 312 Broken Hill NSW 2880 or Thelma.Stace@hotmail.com
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Comments
Well done Thelly! Your commitment to God is an inspiration to others.
I love you Thel,
You are so gifted.
Congratulations Thelma , I love your album . What an inspiring and caring young women you are.I am waiting for the next album.
Should have got your autograph before you became famous.
You rock girl !!!!!!!!!!
LOTS OF LOVE FROM JACKA STREET.
Good job Thelly. (:
Wooo go Thelly you are an inspiration to me and I hope that one day I might just be as spiritual and as confident in myself as a christia as you yourself are... Kudos on the music though...
@Erin: i mean christian
thelma rocks my socks off