Category: Episode Recaps

Mark Bradbourne returns from a stellar Carbon Leaf concert with a fresh appreciation for spontaneity in live music, then serves up five wildly diverse tracks—from Canadian folk rock to Blue Man Group beats. Featuring Funeral Lakes, Goose, Return to Dust, After Cooking, and Motherfolk. 🎶

In Episode 116 of Songs That Don’t Suck, Mark Bradbourne goes full soapbox, tearing into the cultural flattening he calls “McDonaldization”—where music, art, and even apartments are all starting to taste the same. But hope isn’t lost. Mark shares five vibrant tracks from The Hoosiers, Antron Songs, Palmera, Cruise Balloon, and Joe Kelly that defy the algorithm. 🧠🔥

In the premiere of “Classic Albums That Don’t Suck,” Mark Bradbourne dives deep into The Doors’ iconic debut. From studio fires (literally) to musical breakthroughs, he breaks down the album track by track, celebrating its legacy, lore, and undeniable influence on rock history. 🔥🎶

In one of his most thoughtful episodes yet, Mark Bradbourne tackles the decline of music engagement among young men, the toxic pull of the manosphere, and what it means for culture. Plus, five unforgettable tracks from Ratoon, Wild Rivers, Dog Park, Ben De La Cour, and a haunting duet from Noah Cyrus & Fleet Foxes. 🎤📉

After a rare music-free trip to Amsterdam, Mark Bradbourne returns to Songs That Don’t Suck with fresh perspective—and five killer tracks. This week features The Backfires, Over Under, Florence Road, Wishy, and The Dregs, plus a deep dive on protest art and discovering Bob Dylan as a “retirement artist.” 🎶🖌️

In this special simulcast with Rock and Roll Autopsy, Mark Bradbourne gets real about how he curates Songs That Don’t Suck. From sifting through 500 songs a week to debating the importance of music criticism, this no-template roundtable covers passion, process, and the podcast’s purpose in a sea of sonic overload. 🎧🔥

Mark Bradbourne celebrates the 500th song milestone on Songs That Don’t Suck with a fiery rant on smartphones at concerts, a salute to bands like Ghost and Tool for going phoneless, and six stellar tracks from Daisy, Portrait of Tao, Michigander, Himalayas, and Sleep Token. 🔥🎧

In Episode 110 of Songs That Don’t Suck, Mark Bradbourne recounts a fire alarm–interrupted Dream Theater show, awkward concert etiquette, and five fresh tracks ranging from post-emo folk to punchy pop perfection. Featuring music from The Pale White, Polly, Cameron Whitcomb, A Place for Owls, and Chloe Keisha. 🎧🎸🔥

Mark Bradbourne relives his discovery of Enter the Haggis via the now-defunct Slacker Radio, shares a heartfelt concert review, and highlights four new songs from Briston Maroney, Monolith, Give Me Motion, and the surprisingly bluesy Spin Doctors. From Celtic folk to drum-nerd gold, this episode hits every note. 🥁🎸

In this special edition of Songs That Don’t Suck, Mark Bradbourne goes hyper-local with highlights from Cleveland’s Brite Winter Festival, featuring six standout artists: Shelby Olive, Wish Queen, Truss, Pau, The Michael Weber Show, and the show-stealing De Land Brass Band. Cleveland rocks, confirmed. 🎶🔥