Upland Stories
by Robbie Fulks
User Score
4.2

Mixed or average reviews- based on 66 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 29 out of 66
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 66
  3. Negative: 36 out of 66
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  1. wilcojunkie
    Jun 4, 2016
    10
    I've been a fan of Robbie's since the late 1990s, and I have to say this is probably his best album he's ever released. He is in peak form. It's a mature work that still shows his sly sense of humor (see: "Aunt Peg's New Old Man") and yet delves into deep themes like mortality and redemption. Excellent playing by top notch musicians throughout. Do yourself a favor and see Robbie live ifI've been a fan of Robbie's since the late 1990s, and I have to say this is probably his best album he's ever released. He is in peak form. It's a mature work that still shows his sly sense of humor (see: "Aunt Peg's New Old Man") and yet delves into deep themes like mortality and redemption. Excellent playing by top notch musicians throughout. Do yourself a favor and see Robbie live if you can, but this record is the closest thing to that experience. A real beauty.… Expand
  2. Coal
    May 23, 2016
    8
    Well-crafted and well-written, this album is neither brash nor boring. Taking inspiration from a variety of literary influences, this is truly an intelligent country album.
  3. sgyh0521
    Dec 4, 2016
    9
    This is truly one masterpiece in traditional, or Americana country music. Consisting of twelve different life stories, Robbie Fulks sings them aloud with simple but not superficial words. I feel the true heart of one father in "Need", smell the taste of country life in "Alabama at Night", try to grasp a sense of family relationships in "Aunt Peg's New Old Man"... The keyword here is truth,This is truly one masterpiece in traditional, or Americana country music. Consisting of twelve different life stories, Robbie Fulks sings them aloud with simple but not superficial words. I feel the true heart of one father in "Need", smell the taste of country life in "Alabama at Night", try to grasp a sense of family relationships in "Aunt Peg's New Old Man"... The keyword here is truth, the truth of life. Bittersweet, complex, passing by within a blink of the eyes. It seems like lacking some kind of aggregate concept at the first ear, but the emotions flowing underneath the rhythm are so touching and impressive that you might forget the surface thing.… Expand
  4. JollyRae16
    Jun 13, 2019
    10
    In a perfect world, Robbie Fulks would be crowned the king of country music. He’s the pure product of America gone crazy. His writes marvelous story songs that mine traditional styles and show a keen understanding of the changes in our personal, social, and historical lives. He’s a virtuoso acoustic guitar player and a terrific singer who knows how to hit an emotional note withoutIn a perfect world, Robbie Fulks would be crowned the king of country music. He’s the pure product of America gone crazy. His writes marvelous story songs that mine traditional styles and show a keen understanding of the changes in our personal, social, and historical lives. He’s a virtuoso acoustic guitar player and a terrific singer who knows how to hit an emotional note without affectation. He lets the strings and the lyrics speak for themselves...… Expand

Awards & Rankings

11
#11 Best Album of 2016

Critic Reviews

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Metascore
87

Universal acclaim - based on 12 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 11 out of 12
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 12
  3. Negative: 0 out of 12
  1. Spin
    Jun 10, 2016
    80
    Twenty years later, he returns with Upland Stories, and the prolific singer-songwriter has never sounded better.
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  2. Paste Magazine
    May 19, 2016
    91
    With his old-timey Upland Stories, Fulks matures into an important voice.
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  3. Blurt Magazine
    May 13, 2016
    100
    He may not be looking to “kill Saturday night” anymore but, with Upland Stories, Fulks has composed songs that are richer and more rewarding.
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