In 2008 they busted out of the box and easily reached first with their Frozen Ropes And Dying Quails. The Baseball Project was on base and immediately posed a threat to go further.

In 2011, they moved on to second with some wildness aptly called High And Inside. They were halfway home.

Three years later in 2014, the quintet of Big Stars moved on down the line to the aptly titled 3rd, an epic double dip delight of craftsmanship and savvy.

And there they stayed. For nine long years at the hot corner, but we’re happy to say that The Baseball Project is finally coming home, scoring big and touching ’em all with their fourth album Grand Salami Time.

The scoreboard is lighting up and the fireworks are illuminating the sky!

1. Grand Salami Time
2. The Yips
3. Screwball
4. Uncle Charlie
5. Journeyman
6. Erasable Man
7. New Oh In Town
8. Disco Demolition
9. Stuff
10. The All Or Nothings
11. That’s Living
12. 64 And 64
13. Having Fun
14. Fantasy Baseball Widow
15. The Voice Of Baseball

This brilliantly impassioned new album opens on the rambunctious Grand Salami Time and the low slung rock of The Yips and then backs those up with the almost Americana-hued Screwball, the Dylan-esque Uncle Charlie, then some acute storytelling is brought forth within Journeyman, the temp raised for the foot-tapper Erasable Man, before New Oh In Town and the gentle hipsway of Disco Demolition are brought forth.

Along next is the deeply informative shuffle of Stuff and the frenetically-charged The All Or Nothings, and they are followed by the upbeat countrified pop of That’s Living, the detailed flashback within 64 And 64, the recording rounding out on the free flowing Having Fun, the Petty-esque Fantasy Baseball Widow, closing on the fired up The Voice Of Baseball.

Speaking of reaching home, this album is a homecoming of sorts, as the band recorded and produced the album with none other than the legendary Mitch Easter. BBP members Peter Buck and Mike Mills’ made their first albums with Mitch back in the early ’80s with a swingin’ little combo called R.E.M.

Scott McCaughey and Steve Wynn kept busy themselves, busting out new tunes with the Minus 5/Young Fresh Fellows (Scott) and The Dream Syndicate (Steve), while stockpiling a passel of penned poetics about the national pastime, many co-written with Peter. Mike adds a new classic of his own about doctored baseballs called “Stuff.”

Linda Pitmon, who along with Peter and Scott has been part of a steady rhythmic nucleus, bashing out epic rock platters with Filthy Friends, (Alejandro Escovedo, Luke Haines & Peter Buck), is back driving the ship from behind her mighty drum machine.

All in all, a fancy pedigree but, as Wynn points out, “this is our only band that plays stadiums” — true story as The Baseball Project has performed full sets along with the National Anthem and “Take Me Out To The Ball Game” at major league parks in Boston, Chicago, Milwaukee, Denver, Minneapolis, Philadelphia and more minor league and spring training fields, as well as having thrown out some exceptional first pitches (nothing but strikes!) as well.

The band will also be out on the road throughout — when else? — the upcoming baseball season. And we all know they’ll find their way home. Get out the rye bread and mustard, Grandma, it’s Grand Salami Time!

Available on CD, Digital, and as a double-LP (with an etched 4th side), Grand Salami Time is the home run music fans have been waiting for.

Packaging features stories behind the songs from band members, and makes Grand Salami Time more than a game — it makes your season!

Official Purchase Link

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