Songs That Don't Suck

Songs That Don't Suck

"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!

Episodes

May 18, 2026 17 mins

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 may be listening, and if you want,  co...

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Mark as Played

~ 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 to the podcast where...

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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,  connect with Songs That Don’t Suc...

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Mark as Played

~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 podcast where ever you m...

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Mark as Played

~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 the podcast where ever you ...

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Mark as Played

~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 and like, review, and subscr...

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Mark as Played

~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 where ever you may be listening, ...

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Mark as Played

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 sure and like, review, and subscribe...

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Mark as Played

~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 to the podcast where ever y...

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Mark as Played

~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 listening, and if you wan...

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Mark as Played

~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 podcast where ever you may be...

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Mark as Played

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!


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Mark as Played

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 Free), and more. Be sure and li...

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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 sure and like, review, and subscri...

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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 to the podcast where ever you m...

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Mark as Played

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 to the podcast where ever you may be...

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Mark as Played

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 more. Be sure and like, review, a...

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Mark as Played

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 listening, and if you want,  connect...

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Mark as Played

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 podcast where ever you may b...

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Mark as Played

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 and like, review, and subscribe...

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Mark as Played

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