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| From | Bill Silvers <wsilvers@earthlink.net> |
| Subject | Re: Robbie Fulks |
| Date | Thu, 10 Nov 2005 00:45:02 -0600 |
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Drew McDonald asked
>I love FOW but know nothing about Robbie Fulks. Any Fulks fans (or
>detractors, for that matter) want to bring me up to speed?
>
>Drew
>np: Robbie Fulks - "Fountains Of Wayne Hotline" (duh)
>
Robbie's one of my favorite artists, and I've lost track of the number
of times I've seen him play live.
I'll try to keep "bringing you up to speed" brief, rather than say way
too much. <g>
Robbie is a tremendously smart and talented singer-songwriter, the bulk
of whose work falls into the realm of alt-country. He began his career
playing bluegrass guitar in Special Consensus, then tried his hand as a
contract songwriter in Nashville (the results of which are summarized in
one of his most notorious songs, "Fuck This Town," from his best record,
SOUTH MOUTH). After that ended in frustrating failure, Robbie moved to
Chicago, where he's been based since the mid-90's. Robbie's put out
five full-length records, plus an odds and sods comp misleadingly called
The BEST OF ROBBIE FULKS. The bulk of Robbie's material has been
alt-country in the truest sense, that is material that is unquestionably
country in style but in forms either more hard-core honky-tonk and
roots-rock or too lyrically and/or musically edgy to gain any traction
with contemporary country radio. Robbie's worked in other styles though,
and typically has done a variety of material on his records. As far as
pop-driven Audities folks are concerned, the most likely places to start
would be with his third (and only major label) record, LET'S KILL
SATURDAY NIGHT. It's not his best overall, but is the most "pop" in the
sense that most folks here would use. Adventurous listeners might
appreciate the broad reach of COUPLES IN TROUBLE, which isn't
guitar-driven melodic pop, but is also his least twangy record overall ,
and a hardcore of fans think it's Robbie's best work. Overall, I'd
direct interested parties who aren't afraid of pedal steel guitars and
country twang to his first two records, COUNTRY LOVE SONGS and
particularly, SOUTH MOUTH. THE BEST OF isn't, but contains a few gems
(most notably the riotous duet with Kelly Willis, "Parallel Bars."). 13
COUNTRY GIANTS is an excellent batch of covers of country songwriters
both well and lesser-known, and features an outstanding duet with his
wife Donna (a commercial singer) on Bill Anderson's "Cocktails."
Robbie's most recent record is this year's GEORGIA HARD, which strays
a bit from the honky-tonk and roots-rock of Robbie's standard and works
in a bit smoother, 70's country homage. GEORGIA is my front-runner for
record of the year, FWIW. Regardless of what you listen to or where you
start, all of Robbie's material is worthwhile and marked by a rare
intelligence, intellectually and musically, and the devastating wit of a
guy who's usually the smartest as well as the tallest guy in the room. I
can't recommend Robbie Fulks too highly, and I'll gladly drone on about
him at more length to any interested parties.
b.s.
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