🚀 Season 3, Streaming Shenanigans & Songs That Slap
Welcome back, music misfits! Season 3 of Songs That Don’t Suck is officially here, and host Mark Bradbourne wastes no time getting into the groove—and the grime—of the current music landscape. This season opener serves high-octane opinions, unfiltered truths about streaming platforms, and a sizzling playlist of fresh tracks that genuinely don’t suck. Let’s break it down.👇
🎙️ State of the Pod: The New Backup Plan
Mark opens with a heartfelt check-in: no big format changes, just more of the good stuff. But what happens when a week’s music offerings are totally trash? Instead of forcing bad tracks or going dark, Mark unveils a brilliant Plan B: “Classic Albums That Don’t Suck.” 🔥
🎧 “It’ll be a fun retrospective of some of the iconic classic albums of all time.”
Expect deep dives into legendary records on weeks when the new release radar flatlines. Smart. Entertaining. Sustainable. 💡
🧼 Scrubbing the Stream: Spotify’s Dirty Little Secrets
Let’s talk Spotify—aka the streaming giant that’s slowly replacing your favorite indie bands with ghost artists and algorithmic filler. Mark pulls no punches discussing:
- 🤑 Discovery Mode: Labels trade royalties for more playlist exposure.
- 🕵️ Sponsored Songs: Tracks sneak into playlists under the guise of editorial picks.
- 👻 Perfect Fit Content (PFC): Spotify commissions music designed to be cheap filler.
💬 “It’s becoming increasingly clear that Spotify is selling its soul to the devil and not serving the art.”
It’s all a little too Paola 2.0, and Mark calls for transparency and reform to protect real artists from getting algorithmically erased.
📈 The Real “Best of 2024” — According to Mark
Music journalists dropped their annual “Best Of” lists, but guess how many songs they matched with Mark’s superior taste?
- Rolling Stone: 4 songs
- New York Times: 0 🙃
- The Guardian: 1
- NPR: 3
- Time Out: 2
- Paste Magazine: 1
🏆 “Another year of having superior taste to the industry professionals.”
Petty? Maybe. Accurate? Absolutely.
🎧 The Week’s Five Must-Hear Tracks
1. 🎸 I Hate Myself – The Darkness
Campy, theatrical, and deliciously Meatloaf-esque, this comeback banger proves The Darkness still knows how to deliver rock drama.
🗣️ “This screams Meatloaf. There’s a sax solo. It’s 70s camp. It’s great.”
2. 🌸 Flower Power Madness – Royal Republic
Funk, sass, and a chorus that hits like glitter on a bassline. This one’s a party starter with one of the year’s best lines.
🎶 “Somebody call a doctor, this beat is f***ing sick.”
3. 🌈 Rainbows – Dead Pony
Industrial edge meets dreamy vocals—a genre-blending gem that sounds like Nine Inch Nails met CHVRCHES at a rave.
🎤 “It reinvents, blends, and pushes real music forward.”
4. 🛣️ If You’re Gonna Swing – Ace Monroe
Classic American rock ‘n’ roll done right. Think Dirty Honey meets The Bites—hooky, gritty, and unapologetically loud.
🔥 “If you’re gonna swing, don’t miss!”
5. 💋 One More Time – Kate Leary
Like a punkier, rock-forward Go-Go’s. A stylistic vocal effect adds flavor, but this one’s all talent, no crutches.
👀 “Had the Go-Go’s stayed punk, this might’ve been the sound.”
📣 Support the Artists (Seriously)
Streaming’s not enough. Mark urges listeners to:
- 🎟️ See live shows
- 💽 Buy physical media
- 👕 Grab merch
- 💬 Engage on social media
- 📢 Spread the word to friends
Let’s keep real music alive, one album purchase at a time. 💿❤️
🎨 …and I quote…
❝ It’s not just about streaming — it’s about showing up. Buy the record. Wear the shirt. Tell your friends. That’s how we support the music that doesn’t suck. ❞
— Mark Bradbourne 🎙️
