New Music Tuesday (Week of April 13th 2010)
Mark Kurlansky, “The Eastern Stars: How Baseball Changed the Dominican Town of San Pedro de Macorís” (Nonfiction/Baseball from Riverhead Books)
The best selling author of “Cod” and “Salt” explores the origins of Dominican baseball in his new book “The Eastern Stars: How Baseball Changed the Dominican Town of San Pedro de Macorís.” Anyone who has driven past the barrios, away from the tourist complex, has seen a group of children taking practice swings with makeshift bats and balls along the dirt roads. Kurlansky writes, “It is tempting to say that baseball defines it, but it got the game from Cubans, Puerto Ricans, and Americans. Dominicans have excelled in the game, and in the last few decades baseball has at last become something at which Dominicans dominate—at last, something they can be known for—and a this is a source of pride.” What started out as a favorite pass time for sugar-mill workers quickly became the salvation of many young hopefuls. The book is informative and depicts the Caribbean country as a land of dreamers with an intense yearning to belong. Kurlansky asks, “Why does this town produce so many baseball players? José Canó said, “Because we don’t have anything else here, and we aren’t tall enough for basketball.”
What Cheer? Brigade, “We Blow You Suck” (May 25th)
What do you call a boisterous, music-bending, 19-piece brass band with a taste for punk? What Cheer? Brigade is their name and after self-releasing “We Blow You Suck” in 2008 they’re rereleasing it on Anchor Brain with two additional tracks. The album is loud, danceable and surprisingly guitar free. They’re way cooler than a marching band and in their own way totally rock.
The Art of Shooting, “Traveling Show” (April 27th)
“Traveling Show” is the explosive debut album by the female fronted Brooklyn based punk band, The Art of Shooting. Vocalist Kelly Irene Corson’s distinctive growl will give you chills that in combination with the eerie, dreamlike melodies will leave you craving more.
