Ever have one of those all-too-rare listening experiences that not only immediately makes you a fan of the artist, but also makes it imperative that you seek them out to be smacked in the face with their live goodness? St. Louis’ very own The Breaks are the band you need to see, Odd Man Out is the EP destined to rock you, and The Firebird on Saturday, January 22nd is the only release party you need to attend this year. Just how good are The Breaks?

 

Imagine David Bowie and Paul McCartney forming a band with members of The Kinks and The Knack, and you might get an idea of the garage-pop fun that awaits you. Melodies explode like lady fingers, propelled by driving beats and crackling arrangements. All this supports cleverly subversive and witty lyrics; a refreshing bonus in a genre that doesn’t always put the focus on lyrical cleverness and wit. Once the hooks are permanently ensconced in your brain, you realize what good musicians these guys really are. The production on Odd Man Out is full-tilt and has a ready-for-summertime sheen, but it is the musicianship and quality songwriting that really make this package bounce.

 

In keeping with their plan for pop-rock world domination, The Breaks have made their Odd Man Out EP available for free download until January 22^nd, which just happens to be the date of their release show. The idea, of course, is that you download the album and come to the release party ready to shout along with the band. If you are any kind of rock connoisseur, especially of the local rock variety, you will probably find yourself purchasing a physical copy of the EP at the party, as well. The Breaks will be sharing the stage with fellow STL bands Warm Jets USA, and art-rockers The LIVERS; all white-lightning hot, and all deserving of a house filled to capacity with dancing fans. | Jim Ousley