Share

NO ENCORE
234: TOP 5 BEST & WORST “SEXY" SONGS / SUFJAN STEVENS REVIEW
Ep. 234
•
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
More episodes
View all episodes

482. THE BEST OF NO ENCORE 2025
03:34:16||Ep. 482Another trip around the sun inevitably means another highlight reel as Sonic Architect Adam returns for his annual vocation of combing through the year's episodes and filtering out the best bits to enjoy at your leisure over the holiday period; and no less than three and a half hours worth, mind you!Enjoy revisiting the laughs with us one last time as we pull the shutters down on NO ENCORE proper until February, however we will return in mid-January over on the NO ENCORE Patreon with bonus content to keep you tiding over until we return.Thanks to all who listened in 2025, longstanding listener or no – it's been a fantastic year and we couldn't have done it without you.Happy Christmas!
481. THE 2025 NO ENCORE AWARDS SPECTACULAR~!
02:13:34||Ep. 481We've bloody gone and done it again - another year is almost in the books and so it's time to review the standout art and artistes of 2025. Heroes and villains, songs and albums, and plenty more besides go under the critical spotlight, including a category that almost got lost to miscommunication. Dave Hanratty (the guilty party on that aforementioned communication snafu) and Sonic Architect Adam (entirely innocent) are joined in studio by the all-star team of Fionnuala Jones, Richard Chambers, and Craig Fitzpatrick.Expect plenty of spirited disagreements, mostly friendly debates, and goodwill to all mankind....honk.
PATREON PREVIEW: ALBUM CLUB #36 | Tandem Felix - Rom-Com (2019) with David Tapley
06:37|Join us for a preview of the latest bonus episode, available exclusively at Patreon.com/NOENCORE.Sign up to NO ENCORE on Patreon for the full episode, weekly bonus episodes, show previews and early and ad-free access to all NO ENCORE episodes.
480. NO ENCORE QUIZ OF 2025~!
01:57:24||Ep. 480The beginning of our end of year specials are upon us, and what better better way to kick things off than with our annual QUIZ OF THE YEAR~! Dave returns to his regular post of quizmaster as Jenn Gannon and Hugh Carr make their quiz debuts!Pens and paper at the ready, two hours of chaos await but only one will be crowned 2025 Champion – the answer lies within.
PATREON PREVIEW: FILM CLUB #29 | State of Play (2009)
06:49|Join us for a preview of the latest bonus episode, available exclusively at Patreon.com/NOENCORE.Sign up to NO ENCORE on Patreon for the full episode, weekly bonus episodes, show previews and early and ad-free access to all NO ENCORE episodes.
PATREON UNLOCKED: FILM CLUB #11 | Any Given Sunday (1999)
01:29:49|As your hosts prepare for a busy month ahead, please enjoy an unlocked episode of our Patreon-exclusive Film Club with Dave, Andy McCarroll and guest Richard Chambers from earlier in the year in place of the usual Friday episode. This bonus pod in particular discusses Any Given Sunday, one of the most cocaine-fuelled film experiences of all-time.That's not all though, listener. Tune in for some gig reviews from Dave as well as an update on our star-studded December schedule.Sign up to NO ENCORE on Patreon for more episodes like this, weekly bonus episodes, show previews and early and ad-free access to all NO ENCORE episodes.ACT ONE: Dave went to see Loathe and Deafheaven this week and reports his findings as well as reporting on an intriguing upcoming show that *might* just be a must-attend.ACT TWO (16:20): Film Club discusses Any Given Sunday from 1999, with special Guest Richard Chambers.
PATREON PREVIEW: ALBUM CLUB #35 | Everything Everything - A Fever Dream (2017)
05:27|Join us for a preview of the latest bonus episode, available exclusively at Patreon.com/NOENCORE.Sign up to NO ENCORE on Patreon for the full episode, weekly bonus episodes, show previews and early and ad-free access to all NO ENCORE episodes.
479. TOP 5 TV PILOT PERSONAL SOUNDTRACK ft. Caoi De Barra
02:00:04||Ep. 479Dave and Adam convene for a later-than-usual recording in the company of the great, returning Caoi De Barra as she gears up for her December tour - tickets here, by the way. Caoi talks about the different paths her career has taken her in the last couple of years, the tremendous supergroup she's managed to put together for the tour, and a great deal more in between before we get to her creatively cinematic Top 5. Speaking of cinematic, don't miss the NO ENCORE Film Club via our Patreon - Dave and Andy chatting all things Constantine is the latest offering there, while Adam's Album Club returns this week with a divisive offering from Everything Everything. As for this week's NO ENCORE prime... ACT ONE: Caoi De Barra in conversation. ACT TWO (39:29): This week's news section takes in Robbie Williams' boy-band smackdown, the Letterboxd-themed patronisation of Charli XCX, the grim lounge lizard return of Kevin Spacey, the deserved consequences of being a danger to celebrities, and Adam's latest rant on AI. ACT THREE (1:20:29): Caoi's Top 5 TV Pilot Personal Soundtrack. -Follow Caoi on Instagram
478. TOP 5 2000s HIP-HOP ALBUMS ft. Flynn Johnson
02:00:43||Ep. 478Let's take 'em back.This week on NO ENCORE we flip the calendar back a couple of decades as Dave and Sonic Architect Adam welcome Evan Flynn, more popularly known as Flynn Johnson, to talk us through his five selections for the best hip-hop albums of the 2000s.THE GREEN BOX THEORY is Flynn Johnson's debut album and is available now to consume via streaming platform of your choice, as well as on vinyl via Spindizzy and Tower Records at the links below.Over on Patreon, you can get a timely dose of Album Club as Adam dissects My Bloody Valentine's m b v, and, forthcoming this Monday, Dave and Andy return with a thorough examination of Keanu Reeves' biblical depiction of Constantine from 2005. Sign up now for these and much more bonus content! Oh, and if you're yet to pick up one of our beautiful enamel pins, you can do so right here. Now– onwards to the show...ACT ONE: The preamble, in which our hosts catch up on the many goings-on of the last week including several gigs and a wedding.ACT TWO (18:07): Flynn Johnson in conversation about THE GREEN BOX THEORYACT THREE (49:41): Liveline update their theme tune to the chagrin of Joe Duffy, touts are on the way out in the UK, AI music tops the charts, a long-awaited return to Kiss Korner and yet more nonsense from Dave Mustaine– it's the news.ACT FOUR (1:14:20): Top 5 2000s Hip-Hop Albums-Follow Flynn Johnson on Instagram / TikTokGet THE GREEN BOX THEORY on vinyl at Spindizzy / Tower Records