Friction Over Shortcuts: Why AI Can’t Replace the Garage Band
In this week’s episode of Songs That Don’t Suck, we’re digging through the “weekly rubble” to find those rare sonic diamonds. But before we hit the play button, we need to have a serious talk about the “tech bro” energy currently threatening the soul of music.
Is Music Just a Game of Fortnite?
Recently, Mikey Shulman who is a key figure in the AI music boom claimed that making music isn’t “enjoyable” because it requires too much practice. He even suggested music should be as “engaging as Fortnite”.
Let’s be real: Nobody has their first wedding dance to a kid playing Fortnite. Shulman views the act of creation as a “bug” to be optimized away. But for those of us who spent our teens in unfinished basements trying to master a John Bonham drum fill, that friction was the entire point.
AI tools like Suno are essentially “strip-mining” human labor to flood streaming services with “AI slop”. You can’t prompt the “shunk shunk” of Radiohead’s Creep or the gravelly exhaustion of a singer six weeks into a tour. Those “happy accidents” are the fingerprints of the human soul.
The Weekly Playlist: 5 Songs That Don’t Suck
This week, we’re supporting artists who choose friction over shortcuts. Here are the tracks you need on your radar:
1. “All I Want to Do” – The Sheepdogs
If you’re heading to the beach with a cooler of beer, this is your anthem. It carries the same laid-back energy as Little Feat’s Dixie Chicken.
- Highlight: The rich texture of the Hammond organ and those “hot” lead guitar licks.
2. “Pretty Face” – The Enemy
This track is a masterclass in driving rhythm, reminiscent of the Arctic Monkeys and The Killers.
- The Verdict: It features a glorious guitar solo—a trend we are thrilled to see returning to vogue.
3. “Too Tough to Die” – The Layzs
This one screams 80s and 90s rock—unapologetic and raw.
- The Vibe: A “call and answer” chorus that feels like a classic Bon Jovi stadium anthem where the crowd can’t help but join in.
4. “Tattoo on My Chest” – The Corvids
The Corvids return with their first EP, and the production here is stellar.
- Sonic Detail: The snare drum sound is “fat” and fantastic. The vocalist slips effortlessly in and out of a smooth falsetto.
5. “Fabienk” – Angine de Poitrine
Math rock and microtonal nerds, unite! This Canadian duo is more of an “art installation” than a standard band.
- The Setup: They perform in costumes with double-necked guitars and looping pedals. It’s groovy, mesmerizing, and unlike anything you’ve heard in a decade.
📢 Your Call to Action
Do yourself a favor: Seek out something with a mistake in it. Support the artists currently sweating in rehearsal spaces instead of the data sets.
