Robbie_Fulks

Alt-Country troubadour Robbie Fulks is back again with a new release that deals with the dark side of human nature. With recent recordings such as “The Very Best Of Robbie Fulks” and “South Mouth,” Fulks displayed a biting wit and a vicious sense of humor. In fact, in the liner notes of Robbie’s last record he wrote that “the theme is fun.” There is none of that on “Couples In Trouble” however. This is a very serious disc with absolutely no humor at all. It took several listens before I finally started to connect with this record. Now the more I hear it the more I like it.

The disc is made up of twelve original compositions. On some songs Robbie employs a full band whereas on others it’s just him alone with an acoustic guitar. The stark opening song called “In Bristol Town One Bright Day” is a case in point. It is a mysterious song filled with vivid imagery. Like many of the songs it can be interpreted in different ways. The next tune called “Anything For Love” is bleak and unforgiving. “Dancing On The Ashes” is set to a driving beat with a relentless lead guitar.

A couple of the tracks such as “Real Money” and “Brenda’s New Stepfather” can only be described as disturbing. “My Tormentor” stands out because of its violin intro leading to a simple after hours piano accompaniment. It is an achingly haunting ballad, rich in texture and very poetic. Still another tune called “Banks Of The Marianne” has an old-timey folk sound to it and is actually a song you can easily sing along to. Fulks jumps from one musical genre to another with these songs but for this project it works as the wide range of sounds is intended to clarify and color each scenario presented to the listener.

If there is a certain style I’ve come to appreciate in the music of Robbie Fulks it is best captured on the songs “Mad At A Girl” and “Never Could.” These are the only two cuts on “Couples In Trouble” that could have appeared on his previous work. Everything else has Robbie expanding in whole new directions.

It was wise of Fulks to include the lyrics with this disc. They are absolutely necessary for the listener to fully appreciate “Couples In Trouble” and to also appreciate what a gifted songwriter Robbie Fulks is. Later this year Robbie will be releasing a recording of some of his favorite country songwriters called “13 Hillbilly Giants.” For more information, check out the websites www.RobbieFulks.com or www.pressnetwork.com.