🎙️ Songs That Don’t Suck – Episode 44

🧠 Musical Paralysis Is Real (But We’re Fighting It Together)

Ever feel stuck in your old playlists? You’re not alone—and you’re definitely not crazy. In this episode, Mark unpacks the science and psychology of why so many people stop discovering new music after age 30, and why that doesn’t have to be our fate.

From Gen X nostalgia to parenting through Rockabye Baby, this one’s for everyone trying to revive their musical curiosity—without pretending to love whatever TikTok’s serving this week.

📉 Why People Stop Finding New Music After 30

A brilliant Medium article by Pavel Marnakovic calls it: musical paralysis.

🧠 Based on surveys from Deezer and Skynet & Ebert, here are the highlights:

60% of people just loop the same old songs.
25% won’t go near music outside their comfort zone.
24 is the peak age for musical discovery.
Parenthood, career demands, and sheer musical overload are the top reasons for falling off the new-music train.
47% want to explore more music—they just lack the time.

🎧 The takeaway? The desire is there. We just need a map—and a little motivation. That’s why Songs That Don’t Suck exists.

🥁 Music Memory & Mike Portnoy’s Return

Cue the air drums: Mike Portnoy is BACK with Dream Theater 🎉

Mark’s reverence for Images and Words is palpable—it’s one of those “I remember where I was” albums. And while Mike Mangini deserves huge props for keeping the engine running, Portnoy’s return means that magical, intricate chemistry is back in the room.

New album coming. Minds will be blown. Prog nerds, rejoice. 🤘

🎭 Cover of the Week:

👻 “Somebody’s Watching Me” – Sasquatch & Here Come the Mummies

This Halloween-ish gem is a funk-rock saxophone showdown between a Bigfoot and a band of anonymous mummy funksters. Yes, really.

Sasquatch (Dean Mitchell) is a sax phenom.
Here Come the Mummies are tight, funky, and fully in costume.
The sax solo SLAYS. The paranoia? Delicious.

Honestly, this version might top the original. Just try not to groove.

🔥 New Songs That Don’t Suck – Week 44

1. “The American Dream is Killing Me” – Green Day

Yes, that Green Day. Mark hasn’t followed them since Nimrod, but this politically charged banger hits with urgency.

🎸 Chunky riff.
🎙️ Clever phrasing from Billy Joe.
🧠 Lyrically challenging.
Green Day continues to evolve, and this one’s worth your ears.

2. “History” – Talk

Big Elton John energy with a modern twist.

🗣️ Vocals go from whisper to wail.
🎹 Think Queen meets Jellyfish in a baroque pop blender.
🇨🇦 Canadian artist (who somehow opened for Shania Twain 🤔).
This track grew on Mark, and it might just become a sleeper favorite.

3. “Cannibal Within” – Amigo the Devil

Folk noir meets musical theater.

🎻 Banjo + vibraphone + weird percussion = ear candy.
🎭 Visually evocative lyrics—like watching a play unfold in your head.
✍️ Masterful storytelling.
Mark calls this one a revelation.

4. “23” – Lawrence

They’re back on the pod—and for good reason.

🎤 Vocals are UNREAL.
🎶 Hooky, heartfelt, pop brilliance.
🧬 Hints of indie soul, but make it dance.
If this isn’t on your summer playlist, you’re doing it wrong.

🔁 Final Note

If you’re a Gen Xer (or older or younger!) trying to beat back the Spotify algorithm and keep your playlists fresh, you’re in the right place.
➡️ Follow us on Instagram
📩 Send your recs—Mark’s always listening.

🎶 Until next week, keep discovering songs that don’t suck.

Episode 44 Recap