Robbie Fulks
South Mouth (Bloodshot) (star) (star) (star)
There’s less of the twisted humor that characterized Fulks’ debut, “Country Love Songs,” although “I Told Her Lies” is an engaging account of deceit, and the anti-Nashville rant “F— This Town” will thrill alternative country partisans. Instead, Fulks’ sophomore effort emphasizes his skill at writing songs of cheating and heartache in the tradition of classic country. There’s gorgeous bluegrass (the country death song “South Richmond Girl”), frisky shuffles (“Busy Not Crying”), and tear-in-beer ballads (“Forgotten But Not Gone”), all splendidly accompanied by the Skeletons and former Buck Owens steel guitarist Tom Brumley. At times Fulks resorts to vocal mugging, but he sure can sell a heartbroken ballad.