In the late 1980s and early 1990s the Vulgar Boatmen received accolades from almost every major music publication in the country. The band's style, a melodic hybrid rhythm and blues/rock—which later defined a subgenre of alt-country and Americana—was compared to everyone from Buddy Holly and Otis Redding to REM and Lou Reed. Songwriter Robert Ray, writes about restlessness, making a big decision, driving a car, thinking, making a small decision, saying goodnight, sorting out relationships, phone calls and avoiding decisions.

The Vulgar Boatmen have performed all over the U.S., Canada and Europe.