Episode 40 Recap

🎧 Songs That Don’t Suck – Episode 40: Peter Gabriel, Percussion Gods & Planetary Inputs

🎉 Episode 40: The Big Four-Oh!

That’s right—we’ve hit Episode 40, and Mark’s celebrating by crossing a major artist off his concert bucket list: Peter Gabriel. After 21 years away from Cleveland, Gabriel returned with a three-hour show that blended storytelling, AI musings, and world-class musicianship.

“At 73, his voice still sounds phenomenal. High notes, low notes—he nailed them all.”

Highlights included:

• 🔥 An intimate campfire-style opening with “Washing of the Water”
• 🎨 Digital art and lighting that reflected off mirrors, not just the stage
• 🧠 Eleven songs from his yet-to-be-released album, I/O
• 🧔 Seeing Tony Levin live—bucket list bass hero

If the I/O Tour is coming near you, don’t miss it.

🧠 Brain-Bending Cover of the Week

🎵 “Nothing But Flowers” – Guster (Talking Heads Cover)
*From the live album Guster on Ice

Early Guster fans, this one’s for you. This live cover taps into the era when percussionist Brian “Thunder God” Rosenworcel punished his hands nightly with barehanded drums. That pre-drumkit era gave Guster a sound unlike anything else in alternative rock.

“Selfishly, I miss that early sound. But this song reminded me just how good they were.”

And hey—if you’re new to Talking Heads, now’s the time. 🎓

🆕 New Music That Doesn’t Suck – Week of Sept 30, 2023

Four tracks made the cut this week, each one distinct, dynamic, and delightfully off the mainstream path.

🍊 1. “Blood Orange” – Linka Moja

Starts with a Hole-like grunge intro, but quickly swerves into an unpredictable chord structure that resists the classic 1-4-5 pop formula.

🎼 “It’s not your typical progression—it feels off-kilter in the best way.”

For fans of dissonant alt-rock and chord changes that keep you guessing.

🔪 2. “How to Hold a Knife” – Quannnic

Urgent drums push the song forward, played slightly ahead of the beat—think early Dave Grohl or Taylor Hawkins energy.

🥁 “This song moves. And the Radiohead-esque vocals over punk minimalism? Genius.”

Short on lyrics, long on vibe. Drummers and Radiohead fans, this one’s calling you.

⚡️ 3. “Bad Influences” – Finding Bella

An unexpected spoken-word punk anthem that feels like a modern take on Baz Luhrmann’s “Wear Sunscreen.”

🗣 “Part rage rant, part life advice—and I loved every second.”

A solid mood-lifter and wake-up call all in one. Great for your existential crisis playlist.

🌐 4. “I/O” – Peter Gabriel

The title track from his upcoming album delves into humanity’s relationship with the planet, data, and each other.

“Everything we see, hear, and feel is input—and everything we do is output. It’s a philosophical banger.”

This song triggered a tangent about DNA editing, global empathy, and the book Upgrade—and honestly, it fits. Gabriel’s always been a thinker, not just a performer.

🎓 Peter Gabriel 101 (For the Uninitiated)

• 🎤 Former frontman of Genesis (before Phil Collins took the mic)
• 👨‍🎨 Pioneer of theatrical prog rock & social commentary
• 📀 Biggest solo hits: “Sledgehammer,” “Big Time,” “In Your Eyes”
• 📚 Start here: So (1986), Us (1992), and Genesis’ Selling England by the Pound

His new album I/O drops soon, and it’s shaping up to be a late-career masterpiece.

📣 Final Notes

• 🔁 Most important? Tell your music-obsessed friends about the podcast!

🎤 And in the wise words of our fearless host:

“Thanks for listening. And until next week, keep searching for and listening to… songs that don’t suck.” 🎶