Gone Away Backward (Bloodshot Red Vinyl)

At a time when modern country feels like bloated spandex-and-Aquanetted pop-metal, Fulks defiantly embraces an unflinching traditionalism. Pastes words, not ours, but we're not gonna argue the point they made when Gone Away Backward hit their doorstep 11 years back. They also called this a tour de force of bluegrass-derived spare country, which well also let stand. Magnet said it was the best album Fulks has ever made, period, and out of respect for the wonderful work Robbie has done in the past decade, we'll simply point out that this too is an 11-year-old review.

With Steve Albini at the board, Robbie was able to break his songs down to their core and fire his characters, his chops, his band, and his amazing voice directly at listener's souls."We recorded it pretty fast, in a couple of days. People are always bragging that they did it without overdubs, but thats the way we did it. The results are everything we ever wanted from Robbie and a high-water mark of folk or bluegrass or alt-country or whatever genre bucket youwant to pour his gifts into."