NO ENCORE

What’s wrong with being sexy? On the latest episode of NO ENCORE, we find out.As Craig Fitzpatrick (ie me) makes his return on a jam-packed show, we’re on a voyage of discovery, seeing a different side of Vin Diesel, deep diving the latest album from Sufjan Stevens and bringing the (occasionally nauseating) raunch with the Top 5 Sexiest Songs of All Time… And the Top 5 Least-Sexy “Sexy Songs”. It’s quite the showstopper.Joining Craig for these couple of Dave-less hours (Hanners takes a holiday), is long-time friend of the show Mark O’Brien. You may know the wickedly talented, one-and-only O’Brien by the musical name Royal Yellow (recently featured in Normal People donchaknow) and as part of the much-missed Enemies. He's lent some low-key, soothing ambience from his laptop fan, by the way. Very relaxing. Speaking of Enemies, their seminal Irish debut, We’ve Been Talking, just got a fancy vinyl re-release.Meanwhile, if you would like to support this particular creative endeavour, why not join our Patreon? There’s a whole bunch of weekly posts/playlists etc going on over there as well.So, on with the show…ACT ONE: A little catch-up with the wonderful Mark O’Brien, who’s also eager to hear about a little vinyl delivery Craig got last week. Jai Paul, is that you? It’s been so many years!ACT TWO (13:25): More surprises in the news, as we are forced to cancel Right Said Fred. So many musical heroes gone. Luckily, we’re making new ones all the time. Like Vin Diesel. Elsewhere, a grungy Mariah Carey shocks us, as does a rogue Whitney Houston hologram, and there’s some Attenborough/Björk loveliness to ease us into…ACT THREE (39:24): Quite the mammoth undertaking, as we review the heavier-than-heaven epic that is The Ascension, the much-anticipated new album from Sufjan Stevens. A lot to unpack.ACT FOUR (1:04:40): Different kinds of revelations and unpacking, as we hit a memorable Top 5. Mark O’Brien graces us with his shouts for the greatest, most sensual babymaking music of all time. Then Craig is ready to immediately kill the mood, with five of the least sexy “sexy” songs you’ll ever hear. The picks are more lighthearted cringe than downright despicable tunes, just fyi… that said, maybe throw on the headphones for this bit?Support NO ENCORE on Patreon Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In the first of a new album-focused series, Pillow Queens break down long-awaited debut In Waiting - out now, do go listen ASAP - track by track.Dave caught up with Sarah Corcoran and Pamela Connolly from the band in a buzzy enough Workman's Club a couple of weeks before the record's arrival, hearing the stories behind the music – from inspirations to artwork to general conversational points arising from going through all 10 songs one by one.Support NO ENCORE on Patreon: patreon.com/noencoreIn Waiting tracklist:'Holy Show''Child of Prague''Handsome Wife''HowDoILook''Liffey''A Dog's Life''Gay Girls' 'Harvey''Brothers''Donaghmede' Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The musical revolution will be televised as Dave Hanratty and guest co-host Zara Hedderman get lost in the vivid world of songs in advertisements for this week's top five. It's a busy episode in general with lots of news, a real-time reveal of the Mercury Prize winner and a spirited discussion on UK not-punks IDLES.ACT ONE [5:07]: Rolling Stone provides both list and op-ed gold, Dave is fierce proud of his heroes, Zara struggles with hot drinks, and Thom Yorke feels especially cheerful.ACT TWO [28:58]: IDLES have caused quite a racket over the past few years thanks to raucous live shows and unflinching, opinionated guitar-driven missives. Third studio album Ultra Mono arrives amidst something of a backlash. Let's get into it. ACT THREE [54:08]: When we say 'song in an ad', you'll likely immediately think of many of our selections here. Dave and Zara celebrate a simpler time when 30-second TV snippets led to musical glory. For some, anyway...Support NO ENCORE on Patreon: patreon.com/noencore Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Roll up, roll up. NO POPCORN returns with a modern arthouse classic – 2015's dizzying one-take triumph Victoria. As noted on the episode, we strongly urge you to watch this film knowing as little as possible so go and do that when you can. As for the episode, Dave, Higgs and Norma are joined by Victoria super-fan Daithí as the quartet get lost in a dreamlike Berlin, fall madly in love with Nils Frahm's stunning score and ponder what they would do in the title character's shoes. ACT ONE: What We've Been Watching. ACT TWO [20:35]: Victoria discussion.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Stay safe, wear a mask. As the lockdown baton passes from Craig to Dave, the NO ENCORE boys ponder the latest Top 50 from the so-called paper of record. Elsewhere, there's a review of the new Everything Everything album and a Top 5 concerning the calendar. Craig has a reason for that selection, and it's a good one.ACT ONE [2:31]: A busy news week brings yet another contentious list, Noel Gallagher demands to see the manager, a doom-laden comeback mounts and why Madonna is the best person to make a film about Madonna.ACT TWO [28:41]: Math-rock heroes Everything Everything return with RE-ANIMATOR and are rewarded with an all-time Dave Link for their troubles. Do the celebrations stop there, though?ACT THREE [48:09]: Tis the season. This week's Top 5 face-off brings a host of occasion-related songs to the forefront.Support NO ENCORE on Patreon: patreon.com/noencore Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

It's about that time. Dave and Craig rock up for another round of NO ENCORE mayhem as a duelling top five brings the best - and worst - out of your beloved hosts. There's another notable return in the form of Doves, back with their first album in 11 years. Throw in some news items and baby, you've got yourself a music podcast.ACT ONE [5:52]: County Mayo and ukuleles feel Craig's wrath, Dave debates the merits of Post Malone's pivot to the wine game and Miley Cyrus puts Joe Rogan in his place. Good on her.ACT TWO [24:12]: Manchester trio Doves shake off the cobwebs to deliver The Universal Want, their first long-player engagement in over a decade. Are we glad to have them back? ACT THREE [42:06]: Comebacks can really go either way. We look at both sides of the coin as Craig delivers arguably his most razor-sharp top five yet. Dave, on the other hand... Support NO ENCORE on Patreon: patreon.com/noencore Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Dreaded technical difficulties strike but the NO ENCORE team powers through. We're all just doing our best, right? Can the same be said for UK dance titans Disclosure and their third album? What about songs related to the school experience? And did *anyone* watch the MTV VMAs? ACT ONE [6:02]: Award shows, governmental brainwaves, surreal futuristic cities and disastrous festivals - it's the news.ACT TWO [29:04]: The brothers Lawrence return after five years as Disclosure aims to instill copious amounts of Energy into the world. Mission accomplished or better luck next time?ACT THREE [48:26] BACK TO SCHOOL! No, not the Deftones song that was needlessly bolted onto the stunning White Pony but rather a clutch of other tunes associated with the trials and tribulations of getting an education. It's the Top 5!NO ENCORE is on Patreon! Help support the show on patreon.com/noencore  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Back at it as another August weekend looms towards the grey and dreary. NO ENCORE is a ray of sunshine by comparison, of course. Dave and Craig sift through yet another contentious rundown, throw out their own shouts for the most noteworthy fictional musical acts and enlist a friend to talk about The Killers and their latest album.ACT ONE: Vice did a top 50 about landfill indie. The boys react accordingly. Elsewhere in the news cycle, Van Morrison makes a couple of spurious claims, Spotify reveal a list of their own, Bill & Ted want to clear something up and there's conflicting views on the Nirvana-soundtracked trailer for THE BATMAN.ACT TWO [31:51]: The Killers are back with sixth studio album Imploding the Mirage. Singer-songwriter and noted Killers supporter Carlo Magliocco joins the fray.ACT THREE [1:01:24] This week's top five concerns musical acts of a fictional nature, derived from film, TV and possibly other pop culture forums, too.Support NO ENCORE on Patreon: patreon.com/noencore Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Too often accused of 'hating The Beatles', Dave sets out to prove once and for all... that Yesterday is a complete shambles of a cinematic enterprise. Norma and Higgs are also present with their own hot takes on the Danny Boyle / Richard Curtis musical train-wreck that quite a lot of people flocked to in the summer of 2019.ACT ONE: What We've Been Watching including emotive arthouse affairs, cancelled filmmakers, corpse-kills and more.ACT TWO [23:30] Imagine a world in which nobody remembered the music of The Beatles. Now imagine that Richard Curtis came along, *allegedly* fucked over another writer who came up with that premise and proceeded to make YESTERDAY. Enjoy?Support NO ENCORE on Patreon: patreon.com/noencore  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Let's get emotional. NO ENCORE is back with a stacked agenda in the form of a devastating Top 5 face-off, the first Bright Eyes album in almost a decade and the absolute STATE of the Irish government...ACT ONE: Craig's got mail.ACT TWO [8:46]: Confusion reigns over the status of small Irish gigs in the time of Covid-19 and the government really isn't helping. Dave chats with Vinny Casey of The Workman's Club about a difficult week for artists and promoters.ACT THREE [23:35]: Further news items of interest including Cher's pivot to public service, Broooooce stanning LDR, and a specialist record store that we hope to visit one day. ACT FOUR [39:36]: Conor Oberst and Bright Eyes return after a long absence with some apocalyptic revelry in the form of Down in the Weeds, Where the World Once Was. Sounds just about right for 2020, OR DOES IT?ACT FIVE [59:26]: Let the tears fall where they may. Songs That Make You Cry time. Support NO ENCORE on Patreon: patreon.com/noencore Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.