T Bird & the Breaks hits with a swift slap of encouragement from a strange but wise man you just met on a dirty street corner. The outfit’s new self-titled album delivers the unpolished, surreal vintage funk the group has been crafting here in Austin for the better part of two decades. Tim Crane’s gruff voice and James Brown-inspired presence command attention as he defiantly reminisces about hard times and lessons learned, often incorporating peculiar memories and pop culture references. Modern elements like sound effects and voice samples commingle with the traditional genre staples of horns, backing vocals, and a tight rhythm section. “Just Like Rocky,” sprinkled with trumpet, boxing bells, and endearing punch sound effects straight from Crane’s mouth, uses the iconic fictional boxer to encourage resilience in the face of hardship. Crane aggressively resists temptation from the devil in “Devil’s Advocate,” despite being broke and offered “assistance” from a giggly, deep-voiced prince of darkness. The album dips into the blues with “Walkin’ in These Boots” and “Gtfuomb,” the latter showcasing just how powerfully Crane can wail. The Breaks’ backup singers shine throughout the record, adding a feminine touch to the frontman’s domineering presence. In “Cookie Crumbles,” they provide one of the catchiest moments on the album, and in the slow-dance closer, “Bumper Sticker,” they take the lead, injecting T Bird & the Breaks with a depth-producing grace.
This article appears in March 27 • 2026.
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