Customer Reviews

South Mouth

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

Robbie Fulks' "South Mouth" is one of the best three country CDs released in the past ten years (along with Brad Paisley's "Who Needs Pictures" and Hilljack's debut album, "Stand Up").

That is, if you like a traditional honky-tonk sound and aren't looking for the country equivalent of a cross dresser (such as pop or rock trying to pass itself off as country).

I believe this to be one of Fulks best efforts -- if not the best. There's not a bad cut on this CD. There's quite a variety of tunes, from snappy tunes like "Goodbye, Good Looking", to traditional tunes about killing the man you caught with your wife, "South Richmond Girl", to belly-rubbers like "Heart I Wish You Were Here" (For those of you born after 1960, a "Belly-Rubber" is a slow dance tune).

For the record, I loved "Dirty-Mouthed Flo", which is as honky-tonk as they come -- although the lyrics are a tad on the ribald side. You may want to play that one when the kids aren't around.

If you like your country hailing back to the days when every high school boy's dream was to have a red GTO, with Four on the Floor and a fifth under the front seat, this CD is for you.

Buy this, put it on, then open up a six pack of Blue Ribbon and try to keep from dancing. Or better yet, get a teetotaler to drive you down some lonely gravel roads, slip the disc in the car stereo, and swill the suds to some of the best sounds since Buck Owens and Don Rich were tearing it up -- just don't toss the empties out the window.

Robbie has it nailed down. Like Tom Waits you have to see Fulks live and in the flesh to appreciate his boney delivery of his right on music. He's a funny dude to watch, and a gentleman to talk to.

If there were any justice, country singers would be clammering to record songs such as "Heart, I Wish You Were Here," "Busy Not Crying," and "Goodbye Good Lookin'." Of course, there is no justice, and it's probably for the best, because even a good song when put through the Nashville Machine, usually ends up as pap. Robbie Fulks is the King of clever hooks, but also has the songwriting chops to get an actual story in a song as well. I only wish that he would leave the novelty tunes, such as "Dirty Mouthed Flo" and the previous album's "Scrapple" off the recordings. He is one alt.country.crap artist who actually seems to enjoy performing instead of appearing tortured by the task. What a relief. I would give my eye teeth to hear "South Richmond Girl" performed by the Del McCoury Band!

Robbie Fulks' second album is a fine example of the quality that is missing from so much contemporary country music. The lyrics have the cutting edge and humour that used to be a trademark of the greats, in the days when content was more important than image. This album is a refreshing change in a world full of rock guitar and sugar sweet sentimentality. If only the major labels had the guts to apply their marketing muscle to music rather than "product".

I was introduced to Robbie Fulks about 1yr ago. His 1st CD "Country Love Songs" is awesome. But "South Mouth is just as good if not better. His style is Tradional Country with Folk. His song writing is some of the best I have ever heard, and his singing has true emotion and feeling, not to mention his guitar playing. If you get the chance, don't pass up seeing this guy live, he is one of the best in my opinion! Pick up this CD, you won't be disappointed. A HUGE FAN!!!!!

Fulks' album embodies real country music that hasn't been lost to the allure of pop culture. His lyrics are original and genuine. Unlike most country artists today, he is not trying to remake pop songs into country music. This album deserves airplay. It is a much better effort than his new Geffen release which seems to have copped a little too much to record exec's who have no inkling as to his true talents and what real country music is all about. The record giants should let artists create thier own art, as that is what first attracted them to these fine talents in the beginning.

very few people have a mastery of the true country style anymore, robbie fulks is one of them. if there is any justice in this world, he will go down with the greats (johnny cash, hank williams, steve earle...) what more needs to be said.

Last time I'll buy this guy's stuff based on a good review.