Kevin Bronson on March 20th, 2011

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[And the final installment from Friday night at SXSW …]

The Baseball Project (Momo’s) – Since your humble correspondent has been known to do this on weekends, it seemed almost mandatory to check out the Baseball Project, a band of respected veterans who’ve combined to make two albums of songs about the national pastime. My, was this fun. Boasting a lineup of Steve Wynn (Dream Syndicate, Steve Wynn & the Miracle 3), Scott McCaughey (R.E.M., the Minus 5), Peter Buck (R.E.M.) and Linda Pitmon (Miracle 3, Golden Smog), the band stomped through some classic rock ditties that included “Look Out Mom” (about being alert for foul balls that sail into the stands at ballgames) and “Tony” (an ode to beanball victim Tony Conigliaro). If you like baseball, witty repartee and classic rock, this is for you. Maybe they’ll even salute one of your heros – on Friday, before McCaughey comically tumbled into Pitmon’s drum kit at the big finish, the band immortalized “El Hombre” – Albert Pujols of the St. Louis Cardinals. And by the way, sports fans, their tour continues with seven dates next week at spring-training venues in the Phoenix area. They’re playing the Echo on March 31. Wear the jersey of your choice.

Scars on 45 (Maggie Mae’s) – Everything you need to know about these indie-poppers from Bradford, England, is wrapped up in their song “Hearts on Fire.” Neither the metaphor nor the music (a perfectly sanguine melody carried by perfectly executed boy/girl vocals) is new – but the sextet’s Britpop-derived anthems seem so authentic and earnest they are irrepressible. Co-fronted by Danny and Aimee (band members do not use their last names, which is a bit cloying), Scars on 45 soared winsomely through their set at Chop Shop’s showcase, boasting the kind of songs that never go out of style and, fortunately for their pocketbooks, work splendidly in TV and film.