It's the time of year where people are fond of putting out "best of" lists. Books, movies, and always music. Getting to the end of another year breeds a kind of lazy short–term nostalgia.
It's always good to reflect, especially when you consider that albums or movies that popped up in March may not be as easily remembered as those that happened in November.

Still, lists can also generate arguments, particularly if someone was left off or not ranked "where they should be."

(Don't worry, this week's podcast is not an 8 minute rant from me on lists...it includes music, I swear.)

When Mark Curdo set out to find a way to celebrate all the great local rock that this town seems to breed, he wanted to do it in a way that was fun and not exclusive. No battle of the bands, no list. Just a good old fashion party.

Curdo is the voice (and face) behind WCYY's Spinout, which airs weekly on Thursday and Sunday nights.
He knows his local music and is passionate about it, so much so that he wanted to find a way to celebrate who's busting out of the local rock scene. This Saturday at the Big Easy is the Class of 2007 concert, featuring some of this year's new bands including Ruin, Hiss and Chambers, Highway Jackson and Dominic and the Lucid.

In this week's show (available on your right) I turned the tables on Mr. Curdo and had him in the NXT studios (OK, a conference room here at Press Herald Plaza) to talk about this year's class and the strength of the local music community.

Naturally without a lot of new bands and pushing to break out, a show like this wouldn't be possible, and Curdo said it's a testament to the work of Portland's musicians that it happens year after year.

This is the third year for the Spinout "Class of..." series, which in the past has featured acts like Covered in Bees, Loverless, King Memphis and Cambiata.

In addition to the four bands that make of the Class of 2007, there will be a special performance by the one–and–only, the hardest working man in show business...EGGBOT.

The doors open at 5 p.m., tickets are $8 at the door.

Many thanks again to Mark for dropping in. You can catch him on WCYY and obviously this weekend over at the Big Easy. We also owe gratitude to the guys in Highway Jackson and Hiss and Chambers for giving us some music for this week's show. If you don't know about the bands give a listen to this week's show and decide if you want to stop by on Saturday. As Mark told me, think of this weekend's show like a holiday sampler. Even if you like one band you should stop by, you may end up liking something else.

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