Couples in Trouble

Robbie Fulks

Product Details

• Audio CD (August 21, 2001)
• Original Release Date: August 21, 2001
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Bloodshot Records
• ASIN: B00005NBWQ
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars See all reviews (10 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #172,363 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com
None of Robbie Fulks's previous releases anticipated the range of moods, melodies, approaches, and arrangements on display here, from the traditional balladry of the album-opening "In Bristol Town One Bright Day" through the supper-club elegance of "She Needs You Now." His first CD for his own Boondoggle label defies categorization, though you could plot its ambitions on an axis that extends from the sophistication of Paul Simon ("My Tormentor") and the bite of Elvis Costello ("Mad at a Girl," "I've Got to Tell Myself the Truth") through the Southern soul of Lucinda Williams ("Real Money") and the industrial clang of Tom Waits ("Brenda's New Stepfather"). As the title suggests, love's darker side provides the connecting conceptual thread, with most of the material striking a note of bittersweet maturity rather than the sardonic streak so prevalent in Fulks's earlier work. --Don McLeese

Product Description
"Couples in Trouble" is a collection of 12 songs, each of which presents, well, couples in trouble. The stories vary and as the stories and characters come from all over, so does the music, jumping from pop, rock, bluegrass, country and back again. Nevertheless these styles are effortlessly crafted together to clarify and color each scenario.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Now THIS is the very best of Robbie Fulks!, February 2, 2002

By	Miles D. Moore (Alexandria, VA USA) - See all my reviews (TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)

"Couples in Trouble" represents a quantum leap in the development of Robbie Fulks, placing him squarely among the greatest living American songwriters in any genre. This album is a long way from the smart-alecky humor of "Country Love Songs" or "South Mouth," but it's hard to see how any listener could fail to be impressed with "Couples in Trouble." All of the songs are sensational, and they come in a bewildering range of styles--from the traditional Appalachian sound of "In Bristol Town One Fine Day" to the mordant jazz of "Anything for Love," from the dark cabaret of "My Tormentor" to the sweet bounciness of "Mad at a Girl." Fulks' wit is still there, but far more mixed with tenderness and worldly wisdom than in his previous work. I don't know about you, but personally, I will buy any CD Robbie Fulks puts his name on from this day forward. I will be delighted to hear anything--and everything--he does next.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent songwriter continues to find his musical identity., December 19, 2001

By	Carlton W. Herbert (Longview, TX United States) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Much like the majority of 90's young "no depression" acts, Robbie Fulks has dropped much of his country aesthetic in favor of cleaner pop production. But unlike Wilco and Whiskeytown, Fulks' switch truly feels like a logical transition. The addition of power pop, lounge jazz, and string quartets to his updated honky-tonk only strenghtens his songwriting, making the music even more his own. The songs themselves are intriguing tales of lost loves and bad situations. Not really new ground for a honky-tonk singer, but Fulks' excellent lyrical craftsmanship avoids treading thematic water. One initial complaint is that without his usual country twang, Robbie's airy voice can wear thin. Over time however, this reveals itself as a useful tool. His waifish croon keeps utterly bleak songs like "Brenda's New Stepfather" from seeming downright repulsive, subtley covering ground that would seem far too disturbingly real if tackled by a voice like Tom Waits or Johnny Cash. The end product is a song-essay piece every bit as powerful and timeless as Randy Newman's "Good Old Boys" or Frank Sinatra's "In the Wee Small Hours".

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Another Great One from Robbie, August 31, 2001

By	"gopherus" (Missouri) - See all my reviews

I think that Robbie really hit the nail on the head with this one. Although his previous albums are all good - this one is the best. I don't normally find theme records appealing, but Robbie wrote some very well crafted songs here and the album flows real well. Although the lyrics do fit a theme, the music (which is some of the best Fulks has created) covers a wide variety of genres. From the Appalachian folk sound of "In Bristol Town" to the shimmering pop sound of "Mad at a Girl" Fulks generates beautiful tunes to accompany well written lyrics. While some might want to bathe after listening to "Brenda's New Stepfather" one cannot deny the emotion of the lyrics and the percussive melody. Each song will take you on a journey of some sort and that is what great music is all about.