The reunion tour of North Carolina noise rockers Archers of Loaf is receiving much press, but it is the latest full-length solo project of frontman Eric Bachmann that deserves recognition. Breaks in the Armor, released under Bachmann’s moniker Crooked Fingers, is a great 11 track collection of wide ranging pop that has its origins in Bachmann’s recent stint teaching English in Taiwan. The trip served many purposes: from learning that he was not teacher material, to learning that he was not burned out on music but burned out on struggling to make a living on it, to connecting with Taiwan based American Andy Vicker, who owns The Bakery recording studio where Breaks in the Armor was recorded by The Pixies’ live sound engineer. While the journey was not straightforward, the resulting music is another gem in Crooked Fingers’ discography. – Written by JFelton
SIMILAR | Archers of Loaf, Richard Buckner, Centro-matic, Magnolia Electric Co., Paul Westerberg