Mark

Songs That Don't Suck

Music EN ↓ 197 episodes

"Songs That Don't Suck" is a podcast hosted by an aging GenXer who scours through hundreds of newly released songs each week, seeking fresh artists and sounds to avoid replaying the hits of his youth. Covering all genres from folk to heavy metal, this dedicated music enthusiast navigates through the overwhelming daily deluge of 100,000 new songs, separating the gems from the noise. Tune in weekly to discover standout tracks as Mark unearths the best of the best from the streaming platforms' vast and varied offerings. Looking for music releases that aren't on mainstream radar? Welcome!

Author

Mark

Category

Music

Latest episode

Nov 2, 2026

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Episodes

50 Years of the Beast, an Alternate Beatles Reality, and Bollywood Gangster Rap 11.05.2026

~ 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...

Live Albums That Don’t Suck: 5 Legendary Concert Releases That Still Hit Hard 04.05.2026

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...

Resurrecting the CD: High-Fidelity Nostalgia and This Week’s Best New Tracks 27.04.2026

~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...

The 2026 Rock Hall Results: Snubs, Surprises, and a Wu-Tang Takeover 20.04.2026

~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...

The Nostalgia Spectrum - From Rush’s Tribute Tour to the Stones’ Secret Society 13.04.2026

~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...

Who Murdered the Power Ballad? (And 5 Songs That Don’t Suck) 06.04.2026

~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...

Symphonies That Don't Suck: When Classical Music Goes Full Metal 30.03.2026

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...

Friction Over Shortcuts: Why AI Can’t Replace the Garage Band 23.03.2026

~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...

The Death of the Middle-Class Musician & 5 Songs That Don't Suck 16.03.2026

~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...

Folk Legend Live, Kismet Encounters, and 4 Songs That Don't Suck 09.03.2026

~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...

Rock Hall Chaos 2026: Fan Vote Myths, Hot Takes, and Who Actually Gets In 02.03.2026

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...

The Death of the Unavoidable Anthem (And What Replaced It) 23.02.2026

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...

Can You Engineer a Music Scene? Huntsville’s Strategy, 90s Nostalgia & 5 Songs That Don’t Suck 16.02.2026

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...

Rock Isn’t Dead, Bands Are: Surviving the Love of the Game 09.02.2026

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...

Why Movies Don’t Make Hit Songs Anymore (And 5 New Tracks That Prove Music Still Rules) 02.02.2026

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...

Perfect Is Boring: Why Imperfect Music Still Hits Harder 26.01.2026

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...

F*** AI, Long Live Vinyl: Bandcamp’s Stand, Luminate’s Data, and Songs That Don’t Suck 19.01.2026

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...

Streaming 2.0, Monoculture Myths, and Five Songs That Don’t Suck 12.01.2026

A fiery  Songs That Don’t Suck  episode takes on monoculture, streaming 2.0, and the myth of the music industry’s “golden age,” before spotlighting five standout new tracks from Ellur, Dark Sun, Telander, Puscifier, and The Steel Wheels. 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 p...

Season 4 Reset: Beating the "Best-Of"Lists & Finding New Music That Doesn’t Suck 05.01.2026

Episode 151 - Season 4 of  Songs That Don’t Suck  kicks off with host Mark resetting the mission, dunking on media “best of” lists, and spotlighting five killer new tracks—from Dicey Hollow to Tom Morello—that prove great new music is still out there if you know where to look. 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...

The 3rd Annual Don’t Sucky Awards 15.12.2025

Celebrate the  Songs That Don’t Suck  Season 3 finale (Episode 150) with a look back at three years of music discovery, Spotify Wrapped insanity, big podcast growth, “concert church” highlights, and the 2025 Don’t Sucky Awards winners across seven gloriously chaotic categories. To check out this week’s songs on your platform of choice head to the website Songs That Don’t Suck Connect with Songs Th...

Episode 149: When Christmas Music Got Cool: Nostalgia, New Tracks, and Year-End Vibes 08.12.2025

Dive into the holiday spirit as Mark revisits the legacy of  A Very Special Christmas  and spotlights this week’s four standout tracks from Snocaps, AVTT/PTTN, Van Buren, and The Lone Bellow. A nostalgic, music-packed episode perfect for indie fans and Christmas-playlist builders alike.

Episode 148: Power Pop, Ticketing Chaos, and Olivia Dean’s Stand Against Scalpers 01.12.2025

A power-pop-packed week on Songs That Don’t Suck! Mark breaks down Olivia Dean’s battle against scalpers, the live music ticketing crisis, and five retro-influenced tracks you need to hear right now. Discover Beatles-esque harmonies, indie grooves, and baroque-pop brilliance. To check out this week’s songs on your platform of choice head to the website Songs That Don’t Suck Connect with Songs That...

Episode 147: Symphonies, Silicon Ghosts & Songs That Don’t Suck 24.11.2025

Dive into this week’s episode of  Songs That Don’t Suck  as Mark contrasts the soul of human-made music with the rising tidal wave of AI-generated tracks. Plus: four incredible new indie, emo-leaning, and atmospheric songs from Juno Pearl, Spanish Love Songs, Searows, and The Rooks.  To check out this week’s songs on your platform of choice head to the website Songs That Don’t Suck Connect with So...

Episode 146: Uncharted Territory and 5 Songs That Don’t Suck 17.11.2025

Dive into this week’s episode of Songs That Don’t Suck, where host Mark Bradbourne geeks out over a new book that fuses music history with deep data— Uncharted Territory by Chris Dalla Riva . Plus, five must-hear new tracks from The Format, The Boondocks, Ugly UK, The Pale White, and Scarhaven. Data nerds and music lovers, this one’s for you. To check out this week’s songs on your platform of choi...

Episode 145: Mixtapes, Not Algorithms: Sequencing Songs That Don’t Suck 10.11.2025

This week on Songs That Don’t Suck, Mark dives into the lost art of mixtapes, what made them magical, and contrasts them with today’s algorithm-driven playlists. Plus, four killer tracks from Robert Delong, Tors with Jade Bird, Black Orchid Empire, and Howl Owl Howl. To check out this week’s songs on your platform of choice head to the website Songs That Don’t Suck Connect with Songs That Don’t Su...

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