Sound Opinions

A tribute album is a way for musicians to pay homage to an artist they love. While not all of them are good, the great ones let the music shine through. This week, hosts Jim DeRogatis and Greg Kot talk all things tribute and review the last release from late producer Hal Willner, a tribute to Marc Bolan.   Featured Songs: John Cale, "Hallelujah," I'm Your Fan: The Songs of Leonard Cohen, Atlantic,...

Greg is inspired by research on the Soul to Soul  concert in Ghana in 1971 to dig out the Ghana Soundz compilation from 2002. Support The Show: https://www.patreon.com/soundopinions See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info .

It's that time yet again for hosts Jim DeRogatis and Greg Kot to share some new music they're digging that's underneath the mainstream radar. Plus, a conversation with Dutch-Ghanaian singer-songwriter Nana Adjoa. Support The Show: https://www.patreon.com/soundopinions See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice...

On the eve of a presidential election, hosts Greg Kot and Jim DeRogatis talk with the director of the new documentary, Jimmy Carter: Rock and Roll President about how Carter changed the way politicians interact with musicians. Plus, poet and music critic Hanif Abdurraqib talks about hosting the new season of the Lost Notes podcast on 1980. Support The Show: https://www.patreon.com/soundopinions Se...

In honor of Halloween, hosts Jim DeRogatis and Greg Kot share their favorite songs about the powerful, independent women sometimes known as witches. Then they do a classic album dissection of D'Angelo's Voodoo with author Faith Pennick. Support The Show: https://www.patreon.com/soundopinions See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and Ca...

This week, hosts Jim DeRogatis and Greg Kot talk with bassist Kathy Valentine of the Go-Go’s about her book All I Ever Wanted: A Rock 'n’ Roll Memoir. They discuss her independent childhood, finding her musical family with the Go-Go’s and more. Plus, Jim and Greg review new music from Shamir and Shemekia Copeland. Greg also bids farewell to Eddie Van Halen. Support The Show: https://www.patreon.co...

It's fall and the records are dropping like leaves. Hosts Jim DeRogatis and Greg Kot review new albums from Disclosure, Lydia Loveless, Flaming Lips and Ganser. Plus, the story of electronic music pioneer, Wendy Carlos. Support The Show: https://www.patreon.com/soundopinions See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy...

For 20 years, Creem Magazine boasted a roster of creative misfits who wrote some of the most exciting, funny and thoughtful music journalism of all time. Hosts Greg Kot and Jim DeRogatis talk to friend and former Creem journalist Jaan Uhelszki about the new documentary on Creem and what it was like to work alongside Jim's hero, Lester Bangs. Then, Jim and Greg have a conversation with British punk...

In the music world, record stores are important economically, but also as community hubs. We talk with the directors of the documentary "Other Music" as well as record store owners in North Carolina and Ohio about how they're adapting to coronavirus times. Plus they talk with music loving comedian Hannibal Buress about his drive in theater tour. Support The Show: https://www.patreon.com/soundopini...

This week, hosts Jim DeRogatis and Greg Kot dissect Yes's 1977 masterpiece album Going For the One. They talk about the progressive rock band's history, the rich music and they interview lead singer Jon Anderson about the making of the record. Jim and Greg also review the latest from Detroit rock band Protomartyr. Support The Show: https://www.patreon.com/soundopinions See omnystudio.com/listener...

Nothing in the world can stop great music from being created. Even now there are songs coasting under the radar, not being enjoyed by enough people. We have a new batch of buried treasures to share. Plus, we talk with venue owners, activists and politicians working to save American stages that have been shut down due to the global pandemic. Support The Show: https://www.patreon.com/soundopinions S...

Oftentimes the best way to celebrate a new venture is with great music, and we could all use a fresh start right about now. Hosts Jim DeRogatis and Greg Kot share some of their favorite songs about new beginnings. They also review new records from country singer-songwriter Margo Price and the late Chicago rapper Juice Wrld.    Support The Show: https://www.patreon.com/soundopinions See omnystudio....

What role do drums play in Rock? Should they be keeping the beat or leading from the front? Who are some of the greatest drummers in rock music? The beat goes on as Jim and Greg focus on the contributions of drummers to rock music with drummer Joe Wong. Wong also hosts a podcast on drummers called The Trap Set. Support The Show: https://www.patreon.com/soundopinions See omnystudio.com/listener for...

The Replacements never had a hit song, but few bands have inspired such a deep connection with their fans. Bob Mehr, author of the biography Trouble Boys, talks with Jim and Greg about the band. Plus we revisit our interview with Mission of Burma. Support The Show: https://www.patreon.com/soundopinions See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/pri...

Jim and Greg explore the background and influence of the Velvet Underground’s debut with a classic album dissection. Support The Show: https://www.patreon.com/soundopinions See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info .

Jim and Greg talk with Galaxie 500’s Damon Krukowski about the value of analog listening in an increasingly digital world. They’ll also review new albums from Neil Young and the mysterious Sault. Support The Show: https://www.patreon.com/soundopinions See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19....

Jim and Greg chat with Talking Heads drummer Chris Frantz about his new book, Remain In Love. The book tracks the bands commercial success and internal strife. Plus, they dig into some of their favorite tracks by the 'Heads’ and Tom Tom Club. Support The Show: https://www.patreon.com/soundopinions See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy...

From Curtis Mayfield to Minnie Riperton, Jim and Greg explore the Chicago Soul scene. They’ll examine how the music tells the story of political and cultural change in Chicago. Plus, they look at the movement’s lasting impact. Support The Show: https://www.patreon.com/soundopinions See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California P...

In these confusing and anxious times, we could all use the occasional helping hand. This week, Jim DeRogatis and Greg Kot share their favorite songs about helping. Then they help a listener find new music to soothe her grandmother. Support The Show: https://www.patreon.com/soundopinions See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and Califor...

It's time for another edition of Buried Treasures, where Greg Kot and Jim DeRogatis share some under-the-radar new music you need to hear. Plus, we hear from the singer-songwriter Caroline Rose about the song that got her interested in making music. Support The Show: https://www.patreon.com/soundopinions See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/p...

Bill Withers is beloved for classics like Lean On Me, but Greg contends that Withers’ best album is Live at Carnegie Hall. Jim and Greg honor Withers’ life with a classic album dissection of that record and review the latest from Phoebe Bridgers. Support The Show: https://www.patreon.com/soundopinions See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/priv...

Sometimes current events inspire urgent art. Jim and Greg share their favorite instant commentary tracks, songs that were published in a hurry in hopes of affecting change. Plus we review the latest from Bob Dylan. Support The Show: https://www.patreon.com/soundopinions See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notic...

While the year is only half over, Jim DeRogatis and Greg Kot couldn’t wait until December to share their favorite albums. This week, Jim and Greg share their picks for the Best Albums of 2020 so far. Support The Show: https://www.patreon.com/soundopinions See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://ar...

Jim and Greg discuss the value of cover songs and dig into the surprising stories behind some of rock's most notable examples. Also, they review the debut solo album from artist Jehnny Beth and remember drummer Jimmy Cobb. Support The Show: https://www.patreon.com/soundopinions See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Priva...

Jim and Greg share some recent songs they're loving that are beneath the mainstream radar. They also answer some questions from listeners in another edition of Ask the Critics. Support The Show: https://www.patreon.com/soundopinions See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-...