Songs That Don't Suck

~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...

~Episode 167~ Mark explores the Brennan B3 audio jukebox, a "graduation gift" that’s reviving his massive CD collection. Plus, new music reviews featuring Culture Wars, Fantastic Cat, Dylan Santiago, and Man/Woman/Chainsaw. 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 podca...

~Episode 166~ Mark and Seymour break down the 2026 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inductees, from the Oasis "pissing match" to Mariah Carey’s surprising snub. Plus, five new songs from Plini, Tigercub, and more that you need to hear. 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 t...

~Episode 165~ Explore the 2026 reunion circuit as we dive into the "Reunion Industrial Complex." From Rush’s heartfelt tribute to the Rolling Stones' cryptic marketing, discover why nostalgia is a spectrum and check out five fresh indie tracks you need to hear. 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 an...

~Episode 164~ Explore the rise, fall, and "murder" of the power ballad with Mark on Episode 164 of Songs That Don’t Suck. Plus, discover five new tracks from Fred Waves, Stanley Simmons, Julez and the Rollers, 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 w...

Ever thought classical music was just for nap time? Think again. We’re diving into "Symphonies That Don’t Suck," featuring head-banging Shostakovich, riots in Paris, and the mechanical chaos of John Adams. Strap in for a wild ride through the metal side of the orchestra! 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 s...

~Episode 162~ Discover why human imperfection beats AI "slop" in music. Mark dives into the controversy of AI-generated tracks, the "Fortnite" comparison, and reviews 5 must-hear songs from The Sheepdogs, Angine de Poitrine, 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 t...

~Episode 161~ Dive into the reality of Spotify's Loud and Clear report, the "infinite shelf" myth, and 5 fresh tracks from Marc Valentine, Michael Stipe, and more that actually deserve 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...

~Episode 160~ From a "totally f***ing acoustic" set with folk legend Ellis Paul to swampy crooner covers by Barns Courtney, Mark breaks down this week's top tracks and shares a "kismet" encounter with an old friend. 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 159 Dive into the  2026 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame nominations  with host  Mark  and guest Seymour . They break down the  fan vote math , the  17 nominees , who’s a lock (and who isn’t), plus why the Rock Hall keeps lighting the internet on fire every single year... oh, and after all that, there are 4 songs that do indeed not suck! Head to the Songs That Don’t Suck website to check out t...

Episode 158 Is music still capable of being “unavoidable” in the streaming era? From Michael Jackson’s MTV dominance to Taylor Swift’s algorithm-powered empire, we explore how monoculture died and what replaced it. Plus, new music from Cardinals, Evermore, Highland Cinema, Alan Doyle, and The Sophs. Head to the Songs That Don’t Suck website to check out this week’s songs, join the Patreon (it’s Fr...

Episode 157! Can a city engineer a music scene? This week on  Songs That Don’t Suck , Mark dives into Huntsville’s music strategy, questions whether scenes can be optimized, and spotlights killer new tracks from Hollerado, Leith, Big Big Train, Crooked Fingers, and The Other End. 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 su...

Episode 156 Rock isn’t dead it’s just exhausted. In this episode of  Songs That Don’t Suck , Mark reflects on the brutal reality of band life, the slow fade of rock on the charts, and four killer new tracks that prove the genre still has a pulse. 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 155 From  Dirty Dancing  to  Barbie , we break down why iconic movie soundtrack hits have disappeared—and spotlight 5 new indie songs that absolutely don’t suck. A deep dive into music, movies, culture, and discovery in the streaming age. 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 154 Why modern music sounds “perfect” (and why that’s boring). This week on Songs That Don’t Suck, we explore quantization, imperfect tempos, and five standout new songs from The Brook & The Bluff, The Claypool Lennon Delirium, The Band LIGHT, Lime Garden, and Silversun Pickups. Head to the Songs That Don’t Suck website to check out this week’s songs, join the Patreon (it’s Free), and...

Episode 153: Bandcamp takes a bold stand against AI music as Luminate’s 2025 data reveals streaming slowdowns, vinyl’s rise, and rock’s resurgence plus five killer new songs that definitely don’t suck. 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 listeni...