🎙 Songs That Don’t Suck – Episode 31: Mid Shows, Maximum Truth & A Genre Buffet That Delivers
Welcome back, audiophiles 🎧. This week’s episode kicks off with a dose of truth—and not the sugar-coated kind. Songs That Don’t Suck host Mark Bradbourne is joined by his daughter Jenna to talk about the future of live music, TikTok-fueled artists, and the pain of witnessing a mid-tier concert from someone with real potential but not enough polish.
Then, as always, Mark brings the music—five genre-spanning picks (plus a powerful brain-bending cover) that do live up to the hype.
🎤 When Live Music Misses the Mark (A Cautionary Tale)
Mark predicted this moment back in the early days of the pod: an artist who skyrocketed to fame online but wasn’t ready for the stage.
And this week, it happened.
🧓 Mark: “I’m not the target demographic. I get that. But mediocre is mediocre.”
👧 Jenna: “You were the only middle-aged man there. But yeah… the vibes were mid.”
🎤 Both: “Talent’s there. But the stagecraft? Not yet.”
Between awkward backing tracks, lack of cohesion with the band, and a crowd that deserved better, the experience raised a tough but necessary question:
🧠 Are TikTok stars ready for the stage—or are they lowering the bar for live music?
Jenna calls it like it is:
“Solo artists aren’t actually solo. You have to build chemistry with a band. Otherwise, it falls flat.”
Oof. 💥 But also: accurate.
🎧 Brain-Bending Cover: Alanis Morissette Does The Police
🎵 “King of Pain” – Alanis Morissette (Live Unplugged)
Mark brings us a killer throwback from Alanis’ Unplugged album—a hauntingly raw rendition of The Police’s “King of Pain.” Her voice adds a piercing depth that reframes the song’s emotional resonance.
“I love The Police, but Alanis brings actual pain to ‘King of Pain.’”
Spotify it. Now.
🔥 This Week’s Music Picks: A Genre Buffet That Doesn’t Suck
As always, Mark listened to hundreds of tracks so you don’t have to. Here are five that survived the 30-second rule and earned a permanent place on the playlist.
1. 🎙 Cecilia Castleman – It’s All Right
📍 Genre: Bluesy Alt-Country
💿 Vibe: Bonnie Raitt with a modern edge
This track may be a year old, but it’s aging like fine bourbon. Full of grit, confidence, and understated swagger, it’s a standout in Cecilia’s evolving catalog. Keep an ear out for her upcoming album.
“Little bluesy, little twang, all attitude.”
2. 🕺 Cherry Poppin’ Daddies – Low Down Appreciator
📍 Genre: Swing Revival
🗓 First release since 1997’s Zoot Suit Riot
They’re back! After 26 years, the Daddies return with that signature brassy swagger that defined a wild moment in late-‘90s music. The swing resurgence might’ve been a blip—but this track hits like a martini to the jaw.
“Let’s bring swing back. Again.”
3. 🎸 The Wans – Too High
📍 Genre: Retro Psychedelic Rock
💿 New full album: Out now!
Returning guests on the pod, The Wans deliver again with their hypnotic, riff-heavy psych-rock. “Too High” leans into that late-‘60s fuzzed-out groove, but it’s sleek and modern where it counts.
“If you liked ‘Magical Touch,’ the full album is a must-spin.”
4. 🔥 The Cold Stares – Cross the Line
📍 Genre: Blues Rock
🎧 Vibe: Stevie Ray Vaughan + Deep South grit
Unknown origin, but a clear Texas vibe. This blues-heavy rocker oozes confidence and classic tone. Put it on your barroom brawler playlist.
“If I heard this in an Austin dive bar, I’d be buying the band a round.”
5. 🤠 Tyler Childers – In Your Love
📍 Genre: Outlaw Country / Americana
🎬 Music Video: Breaking barriers, making bigots squirm
This one isn’t just a song—it’s a statement. Beautifully written, powerfully sung, and paired with a music video that stirred the pot. This is the kind of country music that belongs on the radio—and in history books.
“This is real country. No trucks, no beer, no fake twang—just truth.”
📢 Shoutout: Rock and Roll Autopsy Podcast
If you love music and also love laughing at music, check out Rock and Roll Autopsy. It’s a hilarious weekly dive into what song killed rock and roll. Not sponsored—just a fellow NEOhio pod worth your time.
🎤 Final Thoughts
“Mid performances happen. But fans deserve better—and the future of live music depends on it.”
This week, we learned that authenticity still wins. Whether it’s Alanis channeling raw emotion, Tyler Childers challenging norms, or a 1997 swing band making a surprise comeback, songs that don’t suck still exist. You just have to dig for ‘em.
Until next week…
🎧 Keep searching for—and listening to—songs that don’t suck.
