Episode 110 Recap
March 10, 2025
Welcome back to Songs That Don’t Suck! This week, Mark Bradbourne takes us through an epic musical journey — and it all starts with a mind-blowing Dream Theater concert.
Mark kicked off his latest installment of “Chasing Dopamine” at the MGM Northfield with Rico from Rock and Roll Autopsy — a long-awaited moment for Rico, who’s been a Dream Theater fan since the Awake era (mid-’90s). Watching a friend experience a favorite band live for the first time? Priceless.
🎤 The Good, the Bad, and the Technical Difficulties
The night wasn’t without drama. Just as Dream Theater was transitioning from their second to third song, the audio suddenly cut out — leaving only Mike Portnoy’s drumming echoing through the venue.
👉 Reason? A false fire alarm triggered the venue’s emergency system, cutting the sound entirely. After a 20-minute delay (and a thorough soundcheck), the band picked up where they left off — true pros.
And then… James LaBrie yeeted his mic into the crowd. 🤣 It took a moment to make its way back, but like the audio cut, it didn’t phase the band one bit.
🎯 Setlist Highlights
Despite losing a few songs due to the delay, the setlist was a dream (pun intended) for longtime fans:
✅ Two tracks from Parasomnia
✅ Three songs from Metropolis Part II: Scenes from a Memory
✅ Cuts from Train of Thought, Awake, Black Clouds & Silver Linings, Distance Over Time, and more
A standout moment? The band performed the demo version of Hollow Years from Falling Into Infinity — complete with alternate lyrics. Deep-cut fan service at its finest.
“Mike Portnoy is and always will be the only drummer for Dream Theater.”
— Mark Bradbourne
🎧 New Music That Doesn’t Suck
Now that we’ve covered the prog-rock drama, let’s dive into the week’s best new releases. Mark listened to hundreds of tracks, and here are the standout five:
1️⃣ “Nostradamus” – The Pale White
- A follow-up to “Validate Me” (featured in Season 1, Episode 32)
- Off-kilter, dissonant guitar licks ✔️
- Hooky chorus ✔️
- Nerdy time-signature shifts ✔️
🎸 “It’s like musical sprinkles on a well-baked cake.”
2️⃣ “So What” – Polly
- Second release from this Perth-based indie alt-rock outfit
- Chill verses lead into an energetic chorus
- Classic indie vibes with a modern twist
🌊 “Great movement throughout the track — it’s got that build-and-release feel done right.”
3️⃣ “Options” – Cameron Whitcomb
- Emo-tinged singer-songwriter vibes
- Honest, dark lyrics wrapped in a smooth vocal delivery
- Top 20 American Idol alum showing depth and artistry
🖤 “There’s pain in his voice — and you feel it.”
4️⃣ “I’m Not Sure” – A Place for Owls
- Full-on emo — unapologetically so
- Cool mix of folk instrumentation (banjo + piano)
- Dynamic, evolving drum patterns keep things fresh
🥁 “The drum part morphs throughout the song — it’s a chameleon.”
5️⃣ “Sex, Drugs, and Existential Dread” – Chloe Qisha
- Pop rarely gets love here — but this one earns its spot
- Funky Prince-inspired groove meets Talking Heads-style chaos
- Chaotic saxophone section seals the deal
🎷 “Pop isn’t my usual jam, but damn, this one hooked me.”
🌐 Join the Community
If you’re digging the podcast, you can get more involved:
👉 Visit SongsThatDontSuck.net – for full playlists, exclusive content, and forums
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💡 Pro tip: Don’t forget to like, follow, and review the podcast on your platform of choice. Every bit of engagement helps more people discover songs that don’t suck!
🎵 Final Thought
Dream Theater might not be everyone’s cup of tea — but if you’re into heavy, technical, progressive rock, give them a listen. As Mark says:
“You’re missing out if you haven’t.”
Until next week — keep searching for and listening to songs that don’t suck! 😎
