Episode 29 Recap

🎙 Songs That Don’t Suck – Episode 29: The Long Goodbye and Five Songs You Should Know About
This week, Mark reflects on the fading flames of rock legends—and fires up five new tracks from the next generation.

👴 Gen X, Rock ‘n’ Roll & the Farewell Era

This week starts on a more reflective note. Over the weekend, Mark had “the talk” with friends: The Next Decade Is Gonna Hurt—musically speaking. With Ozzy Osbourne pulling out of Power Trip due to health issues, it’s clear that a massive generational torch-passing is underway.

“Father Time is undefeated, and that isn’t gonna change.”

From Phil Collins seated center stage to Peter Gabriel’s final hurrah, Mark lays out his own personal touring philosophy:
🎟️ If I’ve never seen them, I’ll go. If I have… I’ll remember them how they were.

This philosophy is a big part of what drives this podcast—to champion the next wave of artists before they reach farewell tour status.

🎧 Brain-Bending Cover of the Week

🎤 Stories feat. Georgia Parker – “Hand in My Pocket” (Alanis Morissette Cover)

Acoustic, atmospheric, and just a little bit swampy. This stripped-down version of Alanis’ iconic ‘90s anthem gives the song new soul—thanks to Georgia Parker’s haunting vocal and a more minimal, rootsy arrangement.

“Honestly, if Alanis had cut it this way the first time, it might’ve hit even harder.”

🎵 New Music This Week: Five You Shouldn’t Miss

Mark sifted through hundreds of songs (as always) and delivered five that do not suck—covering everything from psychedelic soul to Belgian punk-funk to emotionally raw alt-rock.

🎸 1. Dan Auerbach – “Every Chance I Get (I Want You In The Flesh)”

Yes, that Dan Auerbach—from The Black Keys.

This solo cut is a wild sonic stew of:

• 🎻 Dilruba drones à la The Beatles’ “Within You Without You”
• 🎸 Twanged licks straight out of “Son of a Preacher Man”
• ✝️ “Spirit in the Sky” gospel fuzz

“You can spot the influences instantly, but somehow it works. Psych-soul done right.”

🔊 2. Boskat – “Heresy”

Straight outta Belgium, Boskat drops a track that feels like:

• 🧨 Old-school Chili Peppers
• 🎸 A lighter, punkier Rage Against the Machine
• ⚡ Infectious Grooves meets the skate park

“This is raw, fast, funk-punk with a side of rebellion—and I am absolutely here for it.”

🪕 3. Greensky Bluegrass – “Congratulations and Condolences”

This one tugged hard on the heartstrings. Reflective lyrics about the passage of time, friends come and gone, and the bittersweetness of aging.

“I was literally coming back from a weekend with lifelong friends when I heard this. It hit hard.”

🎶 Bonus: Go check out their bluegrass cover of Pink Floyd’s “Time”. Yes. Seriously. Do it.

🎧 4. Durry – “I’m Fine, No, Really”

Born of the pandemic, this brother-sister duo from Minnesota delivers catchy, irony-laced indie pop.

“It’s upbeat musically. But lyrically? It’s the exact kind of lie we all tell: ‘I’m fine, no, really.’”

Durry has been circling Mark’s playlists for a while—and this is the one that finally hooked him.

🖤 5. Spanish Love Songs – “Pendulum”

Returning podcast favorites (previously featured in Ep. 25 with “Clean Up Crew”), Spanish Love Songs continue their emotionally raw, lyrically punchy journey.

“Their vocalist just gets me. I can’t put my finger on why—but the connection is real.”

Whether it reminds you of The National, The Hold Steady, or something totally its own, this band is proving it wasn’t a one-time spark.

🎵 This Week’s Playlist

Curated for maximum feels, foot-taps, and fuzz:

• Dan Auerbach – Every Chance I Get
• Boskat – Heresy
• Greensky Bluegrass – Congratulations and Condolences
• Durry – I’m Fine, No, Really
• Spanish Love Songs – Pendulum
• 🎁 Bonus: Stories feat. Georgia Parker – “Hand in My Pocket”

🛠 Podcast Housekeeping

Let your friends know: this podcast isn’t just about nostalgia—it’s about what’s next.

🎤 That’s a Wrap for Episode 29!

Whether you’re clinging to your old concert stubs or building your next-gen playlist, we’re here to guide the way.

Thanks for listening—and until next week, keep searching for and listening to songs that don’t suck.