Gone Away Backward
by Robbie Fulks
Metascore
87

Universal acclaim - based on 11 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 11 out of 11
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 11
  3. Negative: 0 out of 11
Buy Now
Buy on
  1. Magnet
    Sep 19, 2013
    90
    It's the best album Fulks has ever made, period, and even if you can't quite make out the twister that swept away all that old anger, it's easy to hear the sweet, sad emptiness it left behind. [No. 102, p.56]
    All this publication's reviews
  2. Austin Chronicle
    Mar 12, 2014
    89
    A pair of trad-style instrumentals, "Snake Chapman's Tune" and "Pacific Slope," underlines Fulks' sublime stylistic mastery.
  3. Paste Magazine
    Aug 27, 2013
    84
    At a time when modern country feels like bloated spandex-and-Aquanetted pop-metal, Fulks defiantly embraces an unflinching traditionalism.
  5. The A.V. Club
    Aug 27, 2013
    83
    Recorded in three days and stripped down to folky fundamentals, Gone Away Backward may be Fulks’ most cohesive, best-realized album yet.
  6. Uncut
    Oct 10, 2013
    80
    It's all subtly regal, abetted by banjo, fiddle and mandolin textures. [Nov 2013, p.71]
    All this publication's reviews
  7. Mojo
    Sep 19, 2013
    80
    There's all kinds of going back on Robbie Fulks' eleventh and maybe finest collection. [Oct 2013, p.95]
    All this publication's reviews
  8. AllMusic
    Aug 29, 2013
    80
    This is a finely realized album, with a wonderful, you-can-hear-a-pin-drop sound to it, and Fulks' songs are some of the best he's written, showing once again that he has no intention of being anybody's fool.
  9. Under The Radar
    Aug 28, 2013
    80
    From start to finish, Fulks' pickin' and sly grinnin' helps this set face anywhere but Backward. [Aug-Sep 2013, p.97]
    All this publication's reviews
  10. Blurt Magazine
    Aug 27, 2013
    80
    These slow-rolling, Southern-bred sentiments serve him well, and indeed Gone Away Backward appears to be a fine step forward.
  11. Exclaim
    Aug 27, 2013
    80
    This is the 11th album from the now 50-year-old, and may just be his best.
  12. PopMatters
    Aug 27, 2013
    80
    The result: an album where he sounds more like himself than ever before. For a guy with nothing left to prove, Fulks sure seems determined to show off.

Awards & Rankings

17
#17 Best Album of 2013

User Reviews

All reviews »
User Score
4.4

Mixed or average reviews- based on 13 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 6 out of 13
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 13
  3. Negative: 7 out of 13
  1. logic
    Sep 7, 2013
    10
    I'm shocked and embarrassed that I have never heard of Robbie Fulks. I pay attention and listen to a lot of music. Where have I been.I'm shocked and embarrassed that I have never heard of Robbie Fulks. I pay attention and listen to a lot of music. Where have I been. Realistically, I'm sure there are others out there thinking the same thing. If you are, give this record a spin. It's full of rock solid songwriting and insightful wit. Wonderful playing too. I can't stop listening to this and you can bet i'll be searching out his back catalog. Great album.… Full Review »
See all user reviews »