"If there is such a thing as a "date album," this is one, and it's hard to imagine anyone not instantly falling for this gorgeous batch of gently smoldering, country-jazz torch songs.
Waves of watery, tremolo and Latin-leaning guitar give these 11 songs their melting flow and are superbly supported by sedate yet steady rhythms and tasty touches of piano and other key-based instruments. There are, as well, splashes of accordion, autoharp, melodica, glockenspiel and several other elsewhere-underemployed instruments.
Then there's Helgerson's voice-sophisticated and seductive, aged and weary yet fresh and filled with hope, clear as a bell and evocative while sounding eternally elusive.
Placing such talents together, Amelia demonstrates a seamless union of identity, sound and purpose, and the first-rate production allows the band's beauty and brilliance to bloom in full."
The Oregonian 1/27/03
The Oregonian included Somewhere Left to Fall on the top ten best Portland releases of 2002 and said,
"Somewhere Left to Fall," Amelia (self-released):
The breakup a few years ago of alt-country favorites the Flatirons was a shame, a shining promise squandered. But one of that band's songwriters, guitarist Scott Weddle, regrouped with the old rhythm section and a new singer, Teisha Helgerson, whose alluring voice holds center stage in these dusky, soulful treks to the shadow realms of the heart. A new promise is bearing fruit."
1/03/02
"This band is all aboutmood and melancholy. Fueled by singer Teisha Helgerson's jazz-inflected despondency, Amelia steers clear of prairie thunder and heads straight for the gypsy camp, replete with near-tango tempos and Scott Weddle's simmering guitar pluck."
The Portland Tribune
11/22/2002
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Enough of that! Thank you for the encouraging reviews, e-mail, and for making a place for Amelia in your music collection. We very much appreciate your continued support!
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