Sound Opinions

The Feelies were never a household name, but their jangly guitars and propulsive rhythms helped shape generations of indie rock. In this first installment of a two-part Classic Album Dissection, hosts Jim DeRogatis and Greg Kot take a deep dive into the band’s influential debut album, Crazy Rhythms. Join our Facebook Group: https://bit.ly/3sivr9T Become a member on Patreon: https://bit.ly/3slWZvc...

In this bonus episode, Jim pays tribute to one of his favorite drummers while shining a light on a lesser-known father-daughter musical duo. Join our Facebook Group: https://bit.ly/3sivr9T Become a member on Patreon: https://bit.ly/3slWZvc Sign up for our newsletter: https://www.patreon.com/collection/2136865 Make a donation via PayPal: https://bit.ly/3dmt9lU Send us a Voice Memo: Desktop: bit.ly/...

Hosts Jim DeRogatis and Greg Kot revisit their classic album dissection of Drive-By Truckers’ “Southern Rock Opera” for its 25th anniversary. They talk with co-lead vocalist and guitarist Patterson Hood about the album’s creation and distribution, as well as how the themes resonate in today’s political and social climate. Join our Facebook Group: https://bit.ly/3sivr9T Become a member on Patreon:...

In this bonus episode, Jim follows up his Chip Taylor tribute by responding to a listener who pointed out one of the country legend's incredible collaborations. Join our Facebook Group: https://bit.ly/3sivr9T Become a member on Patreon: https://bit.ly/3slWZvc Sign up for our newsletter: https://www.patreon.com/collection/2136865 Make a donation via PayPal: https://bit.ly/3dmt9lU Send us a Voice Me...

Every few weeks, hosts Jim DeRogatis and Greg Kot are bursting at the seams with new underground music to recommend—it's time for another round of Buried Treasures. The hosts share a handful of tracks, and the production team chimes in as well. Join our Facebook Group: https://bit.ly/3sivr9T Become a member on Patreon: https://bit.ly/3slWZvc Sign up for our newsletter: https://bit.ly/4frcVZo Make...

In this bonus DIJ, Greg pays tribute to jazz giant Sonny Rollins. Rollins died on May 25, 2026, at the age of 95. Join our Facebook Group: https://bit.ly/3sivr9T Become a member on Patreon: https://bit.ly/3slWZvc Sign up for our newsletter: https://www.patreon.com/collection/2136865 Make a donation via PayPal: https://bit.ly/3dmt9lU Send us a Voice Memo: Desktop: bit.ly/2RyD5Ah   Mobile:...

2026 is almost halfway over, and there have already been so many incredible new releases. Hosts Jim DeRogatis and Greg Kot share their personal best albums of 2026 so far. Plus, they'll hear picks from the production staff. Join our Facebook Group: https://bit.ly/3sivr9T Become a member on Patreon: https://bit.ly/3slWZvc Sign up for our newsletter: https://bit.ly/4frcVZo Make a donation via PayPal...

In this bonus episode, Jim spotlights a beloved blues and soul singer whose name has been in the Sound Opinions conversation since the show's earliest days—going all the way back to episode five. Join our Facebook Group: https://bit.ly/3sivr9T Become a member on Patreon: https://bit.ly/3slWZvc Sign up for our newsletter: https://www.patreon.com/collection/2136865 Make a donation via PayPal: https:...

Hosts Jim DeRogatis and Greg Kot talk with music journalist and author Barry Walters about his new book Mighty Real: A History of LGBTQ Music 1969-2000. They discuss how gay artists, industry execs and audiences changed mainstream music. They also chat about artists like R.E.M., Pet Shop Boys, Donna Summer and more. Join our Facebook Group: https://bit.ly/3sivr9T Become a member on Patreon: https:...

In this bonus episode, Greg pays tribute to American record producer Jack Douglas. Douglas earned the admiration of countless artists, perhaps none more than Rick Nielsen of Cheap Trick, who called him his favorite producer of all time. Jack Douglas died on May 11, 2026, at the age of 77. Join our Facebook Group: https://bit.ly/3sivr9T Become a member on Patreon: https://bit.ly/3slWZvc Sign up for...

This week, hosts Jim DeRogatis and Greg Kot are digging into the Sound Opinions archives to share some rare tracks recorded in live sessions for past episodes. They'll share songs by Sleater Kinney, Courtney Barnett, Drive-By Truckers and more. The hosts will also review the new album from JPEGMAFIA. Join our Facebook Group: https://bit.ly/3sivr9T Become a member on Patreon: https://bit.ly/3slWZvc...

In this bonus trip to the Desert Island Jukebox, Jim highlights a singer who spent years in the orbit of some of post-punk's most celebrated and notorious figures before stepping into the spotlight herself.  Join our Facebook Group: https://bit.ly/3sivr9T Become a member on Patreon: https://bit.ly/3slWZvc Sign up for our newsletter: https://www.patreon.com/collection/2136865 Make a donation v...

This week, hosts Jim DeRogatis and Greg Kot are joined by returning guest and favorite music writer Jimmy McDonough. Jimmy recently released a biography 40 years in the making, Gary Stewart: I Am From the Honky-Tonks, and joins the show to help Jim and Greg run down five essential tracks from the cult country artist. The hosts also review new albums from Jill Scott, Mandy, Indiana, and Aldous Hard...

In this bonus Desert Island Jukebox episode, Greg shares a cult favorite from Milwaukee's psychedelic scene. Join our Facebook Group: https://bit.ly/3sivr9T Become a member on Patreon: https://bit.ly/3slWZvc Sign up for our newsletter: https://bit.ly/3eEvRnG Make a donation via PayPal: https://bit.ly/3dmt9lU Send us a Voice Memo: Desktop: bit.ly/2RyD5Ah   Mobile: sayhi.chat/soundops See...

This week, hosts Jim DeRogatis and Greg Kot dig into Willie Nelson’s vast catalog of 150+ albums. Along with author Geoffrey Himes, they highlight the “five essential” albums people should hear. They also review the latest album from Kacey Musgraves. Join our Facebook Group: https://bit.ly/3sivr9T Become a member on Patreon: https://bit.ly/3slWZvc Sign up for our newsletter: https://bit.ly/3eEvRnG...

In this bonus Desert Island Jukebox, Jim pays tribute to legendary American songwriter Chip Taylor, whose pop and country songs were recorded by countless artists— including one of Jim’s favorites, The Troggs. Taylor died on March 23, 2026, at the age of 86. Join our Facebook Group: https://bit.ly/3sivr9T Become a member on Patreon: https://bit.ly/3slWZvc Sign up for our newsletter: https://bit.ly...

This week, hosts Jim DeRogatis and Greg Kot are joined by author Nic Brown for a classic album dissection of the debut from The Violent Femmes. They delve into the unexpected staying power of songs like "Add It Up" and "Blister In The Sun" and Brown shares new insights into the album from his recent interviews with the band members. Join our Facebook Group: https://bit.ly/3sivr9T Become a member o...

This week on the Desert Island Jukebox, Greg cues up a song inspired by outlaw airwaves. It’s a reminder of a time when discovering music still felt like stumbling onto a secret signal. Join our Facebook Group:  https://bit.ly/3sivr9T Become a member on Patreon:  https://bit.ly/3slWZvc Sign up for our newsletter:  https://bit.ly/3eEvRnG Make a donation via PayPal:  https://bit....

This week, hosts Jim DeRogatis and Greg Kot share some of their favorite artists who beat the dreaded sophomore, delivering follow-ups that proved their debuts were no fluke. The hosts will also hear picks from the production staff. Join our Facebook Group:  https://bit.ly/3sivr9T Become a member on Patreon:  https://bit.ly/3slWZvc Sign up for our newsletter:  https://bit.ly/3eEvRnG...

In this bonus episode, Jim digs up a song that owes more to AM radio nostalgia than to being, well…good. Join our Facebook Group:  https://bit.ly/3sivr9T Become a member on Patreon:  https://bit.ly/3slWZvc Sign up for our newsletter:  https://bit.ly/3eEvRnG Make a donation via PayPal:  https://bit.ly/3dmt9lU Send us a Voice Memo: Desktop:  bit.ly/2RyD5Ah   Mobile...

This week, hosts Jim DeRogatis and Greg Kot talk with biographer Will Hermes about his book on Lou Reed, as well as Lou’s music, persona, legacy and more. Join our Facebook Group:  https://bit.ly/3sivr9T Become a member on Patreon:  https://bit.ly/3slWZvc Sign up for our newsletter:  https://bit.ly/3eEvRnG Make a donation via PayPal:  https://bit.ly/3dmt9lU Send us a Voice Memo...

In this bonus episode, Greg shares a song that was championed early on by English radio DJ John Peel. Join our Facebook Group:  https://bit.ly/3sivr9T Become a member on Patreon:  https://bit.ly/3slWZvc Sign up for our newsletter:  https://bit.ly/3eEvRnG Make a donation via PayPal:  https://bit.ly/3dmt9lU Send us a Voice Memo: Desktop:  bit.ly/2RyD5Ah   Mobile:&n...

This week, hosts Jim DeRogatis and Greg Kot are joined by Ratboys lead singer and songwriter Julia Steiner. The Chicago band's sixth album, "Singin' To An Empty Chair," is one of the most acclaimed releases of 2026 so far. The hosts also review the new album from Chicago rockers, Friko. Join our Facebook Group:  https://bit.ly/3sivr9T Become a member on Patreon:  https://bit.ly/3slWZvc S...

In this bonus episode, Jim cues up a Desert Island Jukebox pick—and explains why it’s deeper than it first sounds. Join our Facebook Group:  https://bit.ly/3sivr9T Become a member on Patreon:  https://bit.ly/3slWZvc Sign up for our newsletter:  https://bit.ly/3eEvRnG Make a donation via PayPal:  https://bit.ly/3dmt9lU Send us a Voice Memo: Desktop:  bit.ly/2RyD5Ah  &n...

The prolific and singular rapper Billy Woods has spent decades carving out his own lane in hip-hop. This week, hosts Jim DeRogatis and Greg Kot chat with Billy Woods about his career, discography, and the process driving his music. The hosts also review new albums from Robyn and Courtney Barnett. Join our Facebook Group:  https://bit.ly/3sivr9T Become a member on Patreon:  https://bit.ly...