FALL ALBUMS : In Brief : ** 1/2 The Fabulous Thunderbirds, “Walk That Walk, Talk That Talk,” Epic.

The T-Birds’ cardinal virtues--understatement, economy, and unforced power--didn’t depart with founding guitarist Jimmie Vaughan. New ax-men Duke Robillard and Kid Bangham carry on his lean, clean approach. While the album’s one stab at social commentary falls flat, “Twist of the Knife” is a prime rocker, and the band’s tradition-minded R&B; excursions are assured and authentic as ever.

Four asterisks: excellent; three stars, good; two stars, fair; one star: poor.