Couples in Trouble

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.

Tracks:

In Bristol Town One Day
Anything for Love
Dancing on the Ashes
She Needs You Now
My Tormentor
Real Money
Mad at a Girl
Brenda's New Stepfather
I've Got To Tell Myself The Truth
Banks of the Marianne
The Grip of Our Love
Never Could

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

Album 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:

Not what I expected.......2003-12-19

This record was not what I expected. I was a little disappointed at first as it seemed to lack the high-flying alt-country stuff I appreciated about his music. Also, Fulks' sense of humor is not nearly as up front as in his earlier disks. However, having re-listened to the disk and read the lyrics, I can honestly say it has become my favorite Fulks disk! He continues to grow, and this work embodies that journey in a very satisfying way! Just listen to "She Needs You Now"....

Blurb review: Robbie Fulks - Couples in Trouble (4.5 stars).......2003-06-05

Chicago resident, known for his sardonic sense of humor in alternative country music, Robbie Fulks aims for the stars on 2001's Couples in Trouble, an album that departs from his normal style. Fulks' high tenor cries out on the opening troubadour ballad "In Bristol Town One Bright Day" plays like an old country vinyl record from the depression era. The arrangements wander from track to track but like the album's title suggests, the overall theme of misery in relationships prevails. Completely written and produced by Fulks, Couples in Trouble is a fine achievement in songwriting.

Now THIS is the very best of Robbie Fulks!.......2002-02-02

"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.

Excellent songwriter continues to find his musical identity........2001-12-20

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".

His best yet!.......2001-09-04

"Couples in Trouble" is breathtaking. By far his best and most consistent effort. All 12 of the songs are very listenable; it only takes a few trips through the cd for your ears to be hooked. But then, take a little time to really *listen* to the stories he's telling--and you will be blown away by the raw, naked, vulnerable, self-exposed lyrics. Check this one out folks, you won't be disappointed.

Music Album:

Music Album