What starts as a routine assignment check-in quickly builds into something far more Earth shaking: a fully fleshed-out, 100% opinion driven, completely unnecessary, and yet thoroughly discussed bracket to determine the greatest band with a color in its name.

Before the madness begins, Brian reports back on The Black Crowes’ A Pound of Feathers, and his verdict is … less than glowing. Meanwhile, Cort elaborates on his current obsession with the Dead Eyes podcast and finally checks a major box by finishing Band of Brothers, which sparks a brief but earnest detour.

Then the main event arrives.

Introducing May Madness: a four-region, 36-band bracket (yes, really) featuring everything from Green Day and Pink Floyd to Indigo Girls, Black Sabbath, and some choices that may raise eyebrows. Cort is tasked with making every call as the sole arbiter of musical truth, leading to early upsets, strong opinions, generational divides, and at least one philosophical crisis.

This is Part 1 of the bracket, covering play-in games and the opening round. By the end, the field is narrowed and the stage is set for a Sweet 16 that promises even more questionable judgment and heated debate.

Conclusion: Maybe some bands should stop making albums, but these guys should never stop making episodes. Their “extremely ordinary media consumption habits” are indeed a public service, if not the spark that lights the next cultural firestorm.

The May Madness Bracket

Brian’s Assignment: The Black Crowes, A Pound of Feathers https://open.spotify.com/album/417zi1WN5yAK4u3VOjZh13?si=J0NSNYP_S9CrqBMzMdAB-g

Next episode: the bracket continues, alliances crumble, and reputations are on the line. Cort will report back on The Sophs, GOLDSTAR https://open.spotify.com/album/7mTtyluyCS8hY97tqZDpoc?si=FVxvyX5eRkKIKSo3HKjJNg

🎶 Theme Song: Cyrus Oh Cyrus, The Flying Scrub Jays https://open.spotify.com/track/3S9T5HUS4cwky1922WhF1J?si=6fcad8771f724492