🎙️ Songs That Don’t Suck – Episode 59
The 2024 Traveling Wilburys + 4 Killer Tracks You Should Hear
Welcome back to another episode of Songs That Don’t Suck with your host, Mark Bradbourne! 🎸 This week, we’re taking a quick break from music industry data and instead diving into some good old-fashioned musical imagination.
🧠Reimagining the Traveling Wilburys in 2024
Recently, Billy Joel dropped a fun what-if on Howard Stern—what if there were a new Traveling Wilburys? That got Mark thinking: if we were to assemble a 2024 equivalent of the legendary supergroup, who would be in it?
Here’s Mark’s ultimate fantasy lineup:
- Dave Grohl (The Glue): Guitar, vocals, songwriting, and full-on collaborative spirit.
- Sheryl Crow (The Anchor): Bass, vocals, and heart. Her songwriting and multi-instrumentalist skills seal the deal.
- Zac Brown (The Southern Soul): Vocals, guitar, genre fluidity from jam band to country-rock fusion.
- Dan Auerbach (The Sonic Sculptor): Guitar, production expertise, vintage textures.
- Lenny Kravitz (The Spark): Funk, soul, rock, and endless swagger to light up any studio or stage.
- Bonus: Patrick Carney on drums, keeping time behind legends and allowing Grohl to play guitar.
🎤 “This group would be f**ing amazing,”* says Mark. Honestly? We agree.
đź’¬ Your Turn: Who would you put in a 2024 Wilburys?
🎵 This Week’s Featured Tracks
1. Love and War in Your 20s – Jordy Searcy
Gentle and soul-soaked, this indie-folk gem is equal parts introspection and grace. Searcy’s raspy vocal control adds emotional weight to a beautifully arranged acoustic production. If you’re into Vance Joy, this one’s a must-spin.
🎧 Easy to love, hard to forget. Perfect Sunday morning vibes.
2. Miandres – Birdstone
French progressive rock that defies norms. Drawing influence from Alice in Chains, this slow-burning track layers brooding verses with haunting clean choruses. A beautifully weird and wandering journey—just as the title suggests.
⚖️ Pro tip: Be patient. Let it meander.
🎸 Best listened to with headphones.
3. Balu – Elbow
Elbow’s back! With a track that blends synth, alt-rock, and orchestral flair. The iconic vocal delivery from Guy Garvey is just as magnetic as ever, while the Muse-like bass groove gives it a fresh edge.
🌌 It’s dreamy. It’s lush. It’s Elbow being Elbow—and that’s a very good thing.
4. Act of God – Gossip
🔥 Pure retro soul with a modern polish. Beth Ditto channels Motown divas like Martha Reeves with stunning power. Produced by Rick Rubin, this track is packed with vintage energy and timeless hooks.
đź•ş Think: 1960s soul meets 2020s swagger.
🔊 …and I quote…
“When the Willburys formed in 1988, I thought they were ancient. Now I’m older than all but Roy Orbison. Damn it.”
— Mark Bradbourne, Ep. 59
🙌 Thanks for listening, and until next week…
Keep searching for and listening to songs that don’t suck.
