Robbie Fulks is the reason a Songs:Illinois got started in the first place. A talent of immense proportions who everyone knows has what it takes to be anything or do anything in music that he wants. Who nonetheless you won’t hear on country or rock radio. Originally signed to Bloodshot; Robbie got what I ‘m sure he thought was his big break when Geffen signed him up to a major label deal. At the time I was worried; very worried. While Robbie Fulks is immensely talented he didn’t necessarily have what it took to be a commercial success at the time. This was before it was proven that acts like Wilco and Ryan Adams could actually make a dent on radio charts and in retail.
Sadly his Geffen debut was also his last for the label. From what I heard that record (Let’s Kill Saturday Night) was a genre busting release not content to mine the alt-country backwater. Robbie up’d the anti and added pop and rock to the mixture. Robbie Fulks has since been releasing great records on his own label (Boondoggle Records) with distribution from his old friends at Bloodshot. These records were critic and fan successes but didn’t necessarily break the bank. Now given a second (or third chance) at national fame by Yep Roc it appear Robbie has gone back to his roots by crafting a country classic (cover art, album title and all).
There’s a lot more to say about Robbie Fulks (his tussle with Ryan Adams, his work on the Paycheck tribute etc etc) but for now let’s hear the single from Georgia Hard (Yep Roc) – “Georgia Hard”. Preorder now from YepRoc.
Right click and replace what comes up with song title and .mp3
Georgia Hard
As a bonus and mind you nothing to sneeze at here are two classics from his 1996 release Country Love Songs.
Every Kind Of Music But Country
She Took A Lot Of Pills (And Died)
Also two from the critically acclaimed Couples In Trouble (Boondoggle Records) produced by Steve Albini