by Luke Baumgarten & r & & r & Pig Out's selection of national acts is mostly flavorless. Thank God each day offers Choice Local Cuts
Thursday
Though Thursday is choked with Inlander-approved talent (three of this year's Inlander buzzworthy bands, an Inlander staff writer, etc), it's freestyle king C-FLOW we're stoked on. Quoth C-Flow: "I wonder now, was it the egos or the E-pills that spilled an overflowing cup of talent without a refill?" Mind-blowing. myspace.com/chyphen (2:15 pm | Clock Tower stage)
Friday
It's a total, complete, cryin' shame that VAX LAVALA got the early shift here. The BOBfest winners' classic prog is easily the most compelling sound at Clock Tower on Friday (and certainly more creative than Devil's Food covering Alice Cooper in makeup). Ah, well, take lunch. Rock out. (12:15 pm | Clock Tower stage)
Saturday
Easily Spokane's most decorated (living -- get over Bing Crosby already) songwriter, JIM BOYD has built a devoted following by playing to an underserved niche. He's lauded as someone who can brashly, tragically, beautifully evoke the Native experience, but that's too neat and restrictive a box for an artist of this depth. myspace.com/jimboydband (1:30 pm | City Hall stage)
Sunday
I'm a word guy, admittedly. It's hard for me to connect with pop unless I know what's being said. (Maybe that's why Die Fledermaus doesn't make me laugh.) The trick MILONGA pulls -- that so few others manage -- is communicating the emotion of the moment in their music. (6 pm | City Hall stage)
Monday
KENNY ANDREWS has that Al Green thing, but without the upper register. He's got the swagger; that vague, inoffensive faith (presumably why he named his band RESURRECTION); and, of course, the soft, high coo. (6:30 pm | City Hall stage)
Shows at Pig Out are free. City Hall Stage is located in Riverfront Park's Gondola Meadow, and the Clock Tower Stage is located right under guess which towering timepiece. Visit www.spokanepigout.com for a complete list of bands and times.