The Baseball Project

Volume 2: High and Inside (Yep Roc)

If pitchers and catchers reporting signals spring to you more than a groundhog, if opinions on the designated hitter have severed friendships, or if your record collection includes Terry Cashman, then it’s likely the Baseball Project is your band. The sophomore LP from Steve Wynn, Scott McCaughey, Linda Pitmon, and Peter Buck picks up where 2008’s Vol. 1: Frozen Ropes and Dying Quails left off, mixing musical styles to their song histories of the pastime’s heroes and goats (from Bill Buckner to Mark Fidrych to Pete Rose). Yet this inning also expands the bullpen with the aid of Death Cab’s Ben Gibbard, Yo la Tengo’s Ira Kaplan, Los Lobos’ Steve Berlin, and a couple Decemberists laying down for the boys of summer. Craig Finn provides the biggest cameo, however, with the Hold Steady frontman offering his own ripped ode to Minnesota, “Don’t Call Them Twinkies.” (Wed., 12mid, Nuvola)

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This article appears in March 18 • 2011.

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Doug Freeman has been writing for the Austin Chronicle since 2007, covering the arts and music scene in the city. He is originally from Virginia and earned his Masters Degree from the University of Texas. He is also co-editor of The Austin Chronicle Music Anthology, published by UT Press.