Songs That Don't Suck

~Episode 192~ The Bites talk their rebrand, the self-titled new album and 100 hours of rehearsal, plus new music from BODEGA, Kid Sistr, Andy Shauf and The Decemberists. Head to the Songs That Don’t Suck website to check out this week’s songs, join the Patreon (it’s Free), and more. Be sure and like, review, and subscribe to the podcast where ever you may be listening, and if you want,  connect wi...

Opening acts that upstaged the headliner, from Hendrix opening for the Monkees to Skynyrd at the Cow Palace, plus five new songs worth your time this week. Head to the Songs That Don’t Suck website to check out this week’s songs, join the Patreon (it’s Free), and more. Be sure and like, review, and subscribe to the podcast where ever you may be listening, and if you want,  connect with Songs That...

Mark dives deep on how music criticism use to be, and why fans have made bad reviews impossible, plus new tracks from Odie Leigh, Keo, Dirty Honey, and Michigander.

A last-minute Cleveland gig, a Go-Gos comparison, and five new songs worth your time — from Slow Fiction's spoken-word cool to Emma Ruth Rundle's haunting vocals. Head to the Songs That Don’t Suck website to check out this week’s songs, join the Patreon (it’s Free), and more. Be sure and like, review, and subscribe to the podcast where ever you may be listening, and if you want,  connect w...

NASA engineer turned novelist Zach Taylor joins the podcast to talk Rockstar Echoes, his grunge-era novel, world-building a fictional band, and what comes next. Zach's Website Buy Rockstar: Echoes -- Local Bookstore | Amazon Join the ARC Mailing List Head to the Songs That Don’t Suck website to join the Patreon (it’s Free), and more. Be sure and like, review, and subscribe to the podcast where...

The RIAA says the music industry pulled in $6 billion this year. So why are musicians filing bankruptcy and orchestras voting to strike? Plus five new songs worth your time including Ghost Funk Orchestra, Brian Fallon, and more! Head to the Songs That Don’t Suck website to check out this week’s songs, join the Patreon (it’s Free), and more. Be sure and like, review, and subscribe to the podcast wh...

Spotify's new "AI Persona" badge claims to bring transparency to AI music, but does it actually solve anything? Plus four new songs worth your ears. Head to the Songs That Don’t Suck website to check out this week’s songs, join the Patreon (it’s Free), and more. Be sure and like, review, and subscribe to the podcast where ever you may be listening, and if you want,  connect with Song...

Mark hits two sold-out Detroit arenas in one weekend — Rush and Ed Sheeran back to back — then digs deep for four songs that still don't suck this week.

Mark torches Suno's AI vinyl scheme, then serves up five real songs worth your time from Squirrel Flower's Cleveland ode to Blondshell's vocal range flex. Head to the Songs That Don’t Suck website to check out this week’s songs, join the Patreon (it’s Free), and more. Be sure and like, review, and subscribe to the podcast where ever you may be listening, and if you want,  connect with...

Foo Fighters played a three-hour marathon in Cleveland, a Prince tribute band turned into old person prom, and five new songs deserve your ears this week. Head to the Songs That Don’t Suck website to check out this week’s songs, join the Patreon (it’s Free), and more. Be sure and like, review, and subscribe to the podcast where ever you may be listening, and if you want,  connect with Songs That D...

It took "I Believe" 73 years to lose its UK chart record. Here's why "Rein Me In" finally did it, plus five new tracks worth your ears this week. Head to the Songs That Don’t Suck website to check out this week’s songs, join the Patreon (it’s Free), and more. Be sure and like, review, and subscribe to the podcast where ever you may be listening, and if you want,  connect wi...

A confession about hating cover bands, a cruise-ship Beatles tribute band that changed the argument, and six new songs worth your ears this week. Head to the Songs That Don’t Suck website to check out this week’s songs, join the Patreon (it’s Free), and more. Be sure and like, review, and subscribe to the podcast where ever you may be listening, and if you want,  connect with Songs That Don’t Suck...

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. Head to the Songs That Don’t Suck website to check out this week’s songs, join the Patreon (it’s Free), and more. Be sure and like, review, and subscribe to the podcast where ever you may be list...

~Episode 179~ 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. Head to the Songs That Don’t Suck website to check out this week’s songs, join the Patreon (it’s Free), and more. Be sure and like, review, and subscribe to the podcast where ever you ma...

~Episode 178~ The Wild Feathers' hiatus has this longtime fan reflecting on band breakups, loyalty, and letting go, plus five new songs worth your time this week. Head to the Songs That Don’t Suck website to check out this week’s songs, join the Patreon (it’s Free), and more. Be sure and like, review, and subscribe to the podcast where ever you may be listening, and if you want,  connect with...

~Episode 177~ 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. Head to the Songs That Don’t Suck website to check out this week’s songs, join the Patreon (it’s Free), and more. Be sure and like, review, and subscribe to the podcast where ever you may be listening, and if you want,  connect...

~Episode 176~ A 21-year-old politics major sat in with a professional orchestra on a whim. This episode is about what happens when musicians stay ready — and one pop-operatic, and three bands keeping the grunge flame burning. Head to the Songs That Don’t Suck website to check out this week’s songs, join the Patreon (it’s Free), and more. Be sure and like, review, and subscribe to the podcast where...

~Episode 175~ The DJ who broke Rush to America isn't a legend, she's a lesson. How local radio DJs shaped music discovery, and why their disappearance matters. We've also got new music from Michigander, Tough Cookie, and more! Head to the Songs That Don’t Suck website to check out this week’s songs, join the Patreon (it’s Free), and more. Be sure and like, review, and subscribe to the...

~Episode 174~ Weird Al Yankovic has sold 12 million albums, won 5 Grammys, and debuted at #1. The Rock Hall has never once nominated him. This week, we make the case. Plus, we have new music from Des Rocks, DMAs and more! Head to the Songs That Don’t Suck website to check out this week’s songs, join the Patreon (it’s Free), and more. Be sure and like, review, and subscribe to the podcast where eve...

~Episode 173~ Rush was always Geddy and Alex's band from the friendship, to the music, to the legacy... and of course five songs this week that hit just as hard as the argument. Head to the Songs That Don’t Suck website to check out this week’s songs, join the Patreon (it’s Free), and more. Be sure and like, review, and subscribe to the podcast where ever you may be listening, and if you want,  co...

~Episode 172~ The RIAA sued a 12-year-old for downloading Avril Lavigne. Now Spotify wants you to pay extra to remix Paul Simon with AI. Some things never change... at least we found a few great human-created songs this week! Head to the Songs That Don’t Suck website to check out this week’s songs, join the Patreon (it’s Free), and more. Be sure and like, review, and subscribe to the podcast where...

~Episode 171~ Stadium tours are crashing hard from "Blue Dot Fever." Mark breaks down why corporate greed is emptying arenas and why the independent club scene is winning this summer... and of course, new tracks for your listening ears. Head to the Songs That Don’t Suck website to check out this week’s songs, join the Patreon (it’s Free), and more. Be sure and like, review, and subscribe...

~Episode 170~ Is the album actually dead, or did the music industry just stop trusting us? Mark dives into the corporate streaming rollout vs. the Lemon Twigs, plus fresh tracks from Anthrax, Arcy Drive, and more. Head to the Songs That Don’t Suck website to check out this week’s songs, join the Patreon (it’s Free), and more. Be sure and like, review, and subscribe to the podcast where ever you ma...

~ Episode 169~ Mark returns from a San Diego work trip with a new tattoo and a "travel crud" to review the Iron Maiden documentary  Burning Ambition . Plus, a look at a "new" Beatles track and this week's best indie finds. Head to the Songs That Don’t Suck website to check out this week’s songs, join the Patreon (it’s Free), and more. Be sure and like, review, and subscribe...

Discover five live albums that don’t suck from Rush and Iron Maiden to Peter Gabriel and Tesla. ark shares the best live recordings that capture energy without the crowd noise chaos. Head to the Songs That Don’t Suck website to check out this week’s songs, join the Patreon (it’s Free), and more. Be sure and like, review, and subscribe to the podcast where ever you may be listening, and if you want...