There?s some brand new stuff (recorded with Steve Albini), a demo or two, a couple of live cuts, some soundtrack weirdness, a couple of things left off his first two Bloodshot CDs, and a killer duet with Kelly Willis. All ... more »in all, it?s a Fulk-narian delight full of old school honky-tonk grooves, hum along roots/pop finger-snappers, bluegrass foot stomps, and some genuinely hi-larious novelties.« less
There?s some brand new stuff (recorded with Steve Albini), a demo or two, a couple of live cuts, some soundtrack weirdness, a couple of things left off his first two Bloodshot CDs, and a killer duet with Kelly Willis. All in all, it?s a Fulk-narian delight full of old school honky-tonk grooves, hum along roots/pop finger-snappers, bluegrass foot stomps, and some genuinely hi-larious novelties.
"I would be hard-pressed to disagree with the title. Although certainly not a "greatest hits" album, if that even has meaning with Fulks, this disc seems to feature songs that Robbie just plain enjoys. Although a bit uneven, as any album recorderd with various people over various times would be, the disc contains cuts that rank among his best ever. "That Bangle Girl" and "Jean Arthur" are infectious tunes that I can't hear enough, while "Parallel Bars" is a great old-style country duet with the can't-miss Kelly Willis. I wasn't very impressed with Robbie's previous disc (Let's Kill Saturday Night), but this fine offering from the folks at Bloodshot Records more than makes up for it. I would give it 4 and a half, if they let me split stars."
Old fan? Newcomer? You'll like this
April Stanley | Champaign, IL | 07/04/2000
(4 out of 5 stars)
"For those of you that know of Robbie Fulks, this CD is a must have. In my opinion, it is his second best - after Southmouth. There's a variety of styles on here & plenty of talent. This particular CD showcases more of the goofy Robbie that is lurking behind the lyrics on the other albums. For those of you who have never heard of Robbie Fulks, his music is a fun mix of country and rock (at times hitting both extremes) and is full of intelligent lyrics. He doesn't cater to the "moron market,"(Bryan White fans) as he puts it, and the result is refreshing. As a side note, GO SEE HIM LIVE! He puts on a great show."
Not really Robbie's very best, but still pretty darn good.
Miles D. Moore | Alexandria, VA USA | 06/28/2000
(4 out of 5 stars)
"There are a few throwaway cuts here--inevitable when you have a compilation album of previously unreleased tracks--but there are still plenty of great, smart-alecky songs here, showing that Robbie is still crazy after all these years. No one else in popular music--with the possible exception of Nick Lowe--would dare to follow the Hitchcock-creepy "I Just Want to Meet the Man" with the tomfoolery of "The Wedding of the Bugs," or the nudge-nudge, wink-wink salaciousness of "White Man's Bourbon" with the innocent bounciness of "That Bangle Girl." And who else but Robbie Fulks would dare to begin a country album with a straight-on paean to a '30s movie star? (I fully agree, by the way, with Robbie's high opinion of Jean Arthur, and wish he'd follow up with songs in praise of Audrey Hepburn, Lee Remick, and Judy Holliday!) This isn't, perhaps, the best album with which to begin your acquaintanceship with Robbie Fulks--"Country Love Songs" and "South Mouth" are better starting points--but this one will definitely keep the fans satisfied."
50 Fulks Fans can't be wrong
David W. Jackson | La Mesa, CA USA | 10/07/2003
(4 out of 5 stars)
"I don't think I agree with things said about this. First of all, "The Very Best.." is like Phil Ochs' "Greatest Hits". No, it's not an albumn in it's own right, but it isn't seriously meant to be the ultimate albumn, either. It is merely a collection of songs, that's what he's good at, that don't fit anywhere else. And they are all great songs. In the context, they tend to jar a little. Nothing quite fits together, like, say, a concept albumn. The style is erratic. "Love Ain't Nothin'" is a good example. Better, perhaps, is "That Bangle Girl", a tribute to the Bangles in the style of the Bangles. It is also full of great country songs. "Parallel Bars" is a good example. It is almost a great intro to what Robbie does. There is no comfortable cubicle for "You break it, you pay" or "Roots Rock Weirdos". It is all over the place. It's songs, without thought to style or concept, that he wrote. If you like his writing, you need this, or you already have it."
Why isn't he more famous?
Frances Pelzman | Upper Montclair, New Jersey USA | 09/26/2001
(5 out of 5 stars)
"In a few days I can go see Robbie Fulks at a nightclub in NYC for only $12. This is a bargain. It's like getting a Jaguar XJ12 for 50 cents. Robbie Fulks is a songwriting, guitar playing genius. It's like the first time I heard Elvis Costello in the mid 70's: I thought, it doesn't, it can't, get better than this. And I feel that now about Fulks. He's got a pure sweet, emotional country vocal style. His guitar playing is otherworldy, perfect, descriptive. Listen to his band--there's no better band playing right now. His arrangements, his musicians, his melodies and his lyrics are funny, sexy and complex. Some of them are deliciously psychotic. (I Just Want to meet the man.) Also, get Couples in Trouble, Country Love songs, and my personal favorite, South Mouth. Why deprive yourself?"