Special Episodes

Episode Recaps Season 4 Special Episodes

Episode 180 Recap

Discover the fascinating science behind earworms (Involuntary Musical Imagery) and explore five "from the vault" track recommendations that will get stuck in your head for all the right reasons.

MB July 27, 2026

Episode Recaps Season 4 Special Episodes

Episode 179 Recap

Explore the wild history of cover songs, from 1950s "covers" to modern "Brain Bending" masterpieces! Plus, we breakdown 5 must-hear covers by Dirty Honey, Cake, Anthrax, and more.

MB July 20, 2026

Episode Recaps Season 4 Special Episodes

Episode 177 Recap

The top 10 songs from the first half of 2026 ranked by gut and listening data. Indie rock, swampy grooves, and a few artists you genuinely need to know about.

MB July 6, 2026

Episode Recaps Season 4 Special Episodes

Episode 168 Recap

Discover five live albums that don’t suck—from Rush and Iron Maiden to Peter Gabriel and Tesla. Host Mark Bradbourne shares the best live recordings that capture energy without the crowd noise chaos.

MB May 4, 2026

Episode Recaps Season 4 Special Episodes

Ever thought classical music was just for nap time? Think again. We’re diving into "Symphonies That Don’t Suck," featuring head-banging Shostakovich, riots in Paris, and the mechanical chaos of John Adams. Strap in for a wild ride through the metal side of the orchestra!

MB March 30, 2026

Episode Recaps Season 3 Special Episodes

Episode 150 Recap

Celebrate the Songs That Don’t Suck Season 3 finale (Episode 150) with a look back at three years of music discovery, Spotify Wrapped insanity, big podcast growth, “concert church” highlights, and the 2025 Don’t Sucky Awards winners across seven gloriously chaotic categories.

MB December 15, 2025

Episode Recaps Season 3 Special Episodes

Episode 127 Recap

Take a trip through the best new music of 2025 (so far) with Mark Bradbourne on the 3rd Annual Songs That Don’t Suck Mid-Year Review. Discover 10 standout tracks that have dominated the year and playlists alike.

MB July 7, 2025

Episode Recaps Season 3 Special Episodes

Episode 115 Recap

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. 🔥🎶

MB April 14, 2025

Episode Recaps Season 3 Special Episodes

Episode 112 Recap

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. 🎧🔥

MB March 24, 2025

Episode Recaps Season 2 Special Episodes

Episode 100 Recap

In Episode 100—the Season 2 finale of Songs That Don’t Suck—Mark Bradbourne hosts the 2024 Don’t Suckie Awards! He reflects on his year of music discovery, concert adventures, and announces the winners across rock, folk, indie, metal, pop, country, and unicorn genres. 🎉🏆🎶

MB December 9, 2024