New Music That Doesn’t Suck: Rock endures. Some dismiss it. Some show little interest, but good music will always survive
(Editor’s note: New Music That Doesn’t Suck is an occasional commentary on the current state of rock music by music industry veteran David Hersrud.)
Over the past 10 years or so I have read numerous articles bemoaning the lack of good, even decent rock ‘n’ roll music.
And if that wasn’t bad enough there is a new survey of Gen Alpha (those born after 2010) that profiles a generation that apparently has little or no interest in rock or any of its many permutations. In addition the survey indicates that hip hop also has less of a following. Pop and K-Pop (Korean pop music) lead the way at 56% of those surveyed.
Personally I would have been surprised if rock music was a favorite of Gen Alpha or the TikTok generation, as I call them. TikTok hits generally follow the 2 ½ to 3 minute rule while rock songs are typically in the 3 minute to 5 minute range. What’s more, rock songs often have a slow build which doesn’t appeal to listeners whose initial impression usually happens in the first 5 seconds.
The survey acknowledges that tastes can change and there is also what I refer to as the parental effect. I once asked one of my daughter’s high school friends why she listened to rap music. “Because it drives my parents crazy,” she said.
So let’s hope that as we discovered Mozart, Bach, Leadbelly, Robert Johnson, Jelly Roll Morton, Bessie Smith, Jimmie Rodgers and Bob Wills that Gen Alpha will learn to love The Stones, Hendrix, The Doors, The Beatles and Chuck Berry.
Here’s NMTDS … enjoy
It’s hard to believe that a 26-year-old British singer-songwriter can be called a music industry “veteran.” But when you learn that she made her first YouTube video at 12, released her first EP at age 15, and debuted her fifth album in July, “veteran” seems almost understated. “Dog Eared” will make a lot of “best of” lists and for good reason as she continues to grow as an artist.
This from the Icelandic singer-songwriter’s third album “A Matter of Time” which debuted at #4 on the Billboard Top 200 chart. She is probably one of the most talked about and profiled artists on the music scene today. She won a Grammy last year for Best Traditional Pop Vocal Album and was just named one of Time Magazine’s Women Of The Year for 2025. Her musical interests range from jazz to pop to classical (she gave a cello performance with the Iceland Symphony at 15).
Go Go Penguin: “Luminous Giants”
One of my top 10 favorite jazz groups is the Esbjorn Svensson Trio. Unfortunately pianist Esbjorn Svensson died tragically in 2008. The band was to jazz what Radiohead is to rock — genre-bending.
Go Go Penguin inhabits that same musical universe. The Manchester, England, trio have released six studio albums over the years and have just released “Necessary Fictions,” an album that is already on my list of the best albums of the year.
Madison McFerrin: “Run It Back”
Madison’s musical pedigree is impressive. Her grandfather was the first African-American to sing at the Metropolitan Opera. Her father is the jazz vocalist and classical conductor Bobby McFerrin. And like her family, her instrument is her voice. “Scorpio” is her second album and it’s excellent.
Steve Riley and The Rolling Stones: “Zydeco Sont Pas Sales”
The song comes from a tribute album to Clifton Chenier, the musician they called “The King of Zydeco” and the man who took traditional zydeco and electrified it. The album features Taj Mahal, Steve Earle, Charley Crockett, Lucinda Williams and Mick Jagger singing in French.
Ryan Davis & The Roadhouse Band: “Better If You Make Me”
Based on everything I’ve seen and heard so far, I think I can say without fear of contradiction that Ryan’s second album, “New Threats From The Soul,” will make a lot of “best of” lists at the end of the year. This from an artist called “the best lyricist who’s not a rapper.”
The music fits the indie-rock/ Americana description perfectly though with a few subtle enhancements. And the songs aren’t exactly Tik Tok friendly with run-times almost 6 minutes on the short end and almost 12 minutes on the other.
Ndlovu Youth Choir: “Bohemian Rhapsody”
It might be a bit hard to imagine an African Youth Choir singing Queen’s “Bohemian Rhapsody” in Zulu — until you hear it. This is the first time Queen has authorized any use of the song and it is fitting that this is the song’s 50th anniversary. As a footnote Freddy Mercury (real name Farrokh Bulsara), was born on the African island of Zanzibar.
Suede (London Suede in the US): “Trance State”
This is from the band’s 10th studio album “Antidepressants” and one that critics are calling one of their best. It is hard to believe that they were crowned The Best New Band in Britain in 1992 and became part of Britpop’s big four along with Oasis, Blur and Pulp.
Their catchy alternative rock was a welcome change of pace from the grunge of American bands like Nirvana and Pearl Jam. There were the usual lineup changes over the years, a brief break-up and reunion. And now a new album recorded live.
If you follow rock music you know Hayley Williams. She is a media magnet and rightfully so as the lead singer and only constant member of Paramore. She has released two solo albums and has a new one that started as 17 songs released on her website and then streaming them in late August. Physical copies of the music will supposedly be available in November. According to Williams, the songs should be considered as stand-alone singles with the track lists determined by her fans.
Till next time, good listening.
David Hersrud is a third-generation South Dakota native. After college and graduate school, he spent more than six years in the music industry working with bands and artists like George Harrison, Eagles, The Beach Boys, Queen, Led Zeppelin, Frank Sinatra and Fleetwood Mac. He stayed active after returning to South Dakota and the family business as a writer, consultant and then the host of CDTV for 12 years. David and his wife Kathy live in Sturgis.
Photo courtesy David Hersrud
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