Breaks in the Armor

Most of the album was written in Taipei, where Bachmann was working as an ESL teacher.[6] It was recorded in Athens, Georgia, with the engineer Matt Yelton.[7] Liz Durrett provided backing vocals.[3]

Professional ratings

Review scores
Source	Rating
AllMusic	[6]
Pitchfork	6.7/10[8]
Spin	[9]
Tiny Mix Tapes	[1]

The A.V. Club wrote that "these are some of the most melodious songs Bachmann has recorded, verging on the poppy with the bouncy 'The Counterfeiter' and angling toward the aspirational with the pounding, rising 'Went To The City'."[10] Exclaim! thought that "with its richly layered arrangements and intimate framework, Breaks in the Armor is generally pleasing, and one of the finest Crooked Fingers releases yet."[11] Spin called Bachmann "indie rock's most refreshingly unpretentious auteur."[9]

The New York Times concluded that "previous Crooked Fingers albums have been more elaborately orchestrated, fortifying themselves; this one, even when cushioned by Liz Durrett’s backup vocals, makes a wary peace with its own sense of isolation."[12] The Cleveland Scene deemed the album "a rousing and occasionally accessible record that ranks as one of Bachmann's all-time best." Indy Week concluded that "the sparse folk palette is livened by moments of distortion that echo Bachmann's dark themes of uncertainty and mistrust."[13]