Album Review: Angela Autumn - ‘Believer’

Angela Autumn’s new record Believer is out this Friday, September 11th. Crowned “The Rose of

Appalachia,” Autumn proves her name in this album, borrowing timbres and voices from the

traditional music of her home region. The banjo and fiddle make appearances throughout the

record, and “Millionaire Money” is sung in a form that mimics an old time fiddle tune.

“Dollar signs, dollar signs, every time you see me crying,” Autumn sings in “Millionaire Money,” putting words to my own personal experience of being an emotional shopper. When late stage

capitalism gets you down, just head over to Amazon or your favorite fast food chain to make it all better!

Several of these songs reflect my own experience of being a native Appalachian (West Virginia, to be exact) living in Nashville. Autumn sings, “We both live in the south, baby it’s not my home,” and, “All I need is a mountain stream.” “Mountain Stream” is sung over an alternative rock bluegrass soundscape and perfectly captures the angst of living in a metropolitan city with an Appalachian soul. All I need is a mountain stream, but all I have is this damn traffic!

The key sonic elements of this record are the driving rhythm section, complete with energetic

drums and cheeky bass lines, and the spooky Appalachian timbres, comprised of banjo, fiddle,

lonesome vocals, and the perfect treatment on the reverb of all of these sounds. The lyrical

elements are true to any good Appalachian record. Autumn weaves tales of past love and loss, and she rallies for the waning potential of the collective good of the world. In the album’s title track, she sings,“I’ve got to be a believer,” and after listening to this record, I’m feeling a bit

more inspired to keep believing myself.

Rating - 10/10