Great songwriter alert

Robbie Fulks is fast becoming as important an American songwriter and performer as has come down the pike since Elvis Costello, Nick Lowe and Richard Thompson. Hey, those are all Brits! Their common ancient thread may be old English/Celtic folk music by way of raw country and bluegrass, but with Fulks’ new album, Couples in Trouble (Boondoggle), he joins that lofty triumvirate as a keenly literate, ironic artist with raw energy and art-song sensibilities. He is explosive and fearless onstage; he’s also a terrifically expressive guitar player and singer. This time Fulks brings a show that, he claims, “will be different than usual, longer than usual, and larger than usual—including Joe Terry, the keyboardist from the Skeletons [and] Dave Alvin.” A not-to-be-missed show at the Palms Playhouse, 726 Drummond Ave., Davis. 8 p.m Thursday, September 13. Tickets are $12.