Sound Opinions

In this bonus episode, Greg shares a song by an artist he hadn’t seen live in years, until a recent show at the Old Town School of Folk Music. 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:&n...

In this bonus episode, Jim, Greg, and Andrew pay tribute to the late great Ozzy Osbourne, who died on July 22, 2025, at the age of 76. 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...

Hosts Jim DeRogatis and Greg Kot interview Swamp Dogg, the psychedelic soul artist born Jerry Williams. He has a documentary about his life out now called "Swamp Dogg Gets His Pool Painted." The hosts also review the new album from Lorde. 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/3...

In this bonus episode, Greg salutes the father of zydeco, an artist whose influence reaches far beyond the bayou. 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  &nb...

Hosts Jim DeRogatis and Greg Kot share new music they're digging that flies under the mainstream radar, buried treasures! They also hear buried treasure 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 Make a donation via PayPal:  https://bit....

In this bonus episode, Jim adds an obscure avant-garde composition to the Desert Island Jukebox that features a brass band, a children’s choir and helium. 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...

This week, hosts Jim DeRogatis and Greg Kot interview Tariq "Black Thought" Trotter of The Roots about his memoir. The hosts also review the new album from Turnstile. 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...

In this bonus episode, Greg shares a pair of songs by guitarist Mick Ralphs who helped define two legendary bands, Bad Company and Mott the Hoople. Ralphs died on June 23, 2025, at age 81, and his playing remains the standard in serving the song—whether through raw power or subtle restraint. Join our Facebook Group:  https://bit.ly/3sivr9T Become a member on Patreon:  https://bit.ly/3slW...

Hosts Jim DeRogatis and Greg Kot talk with Local H founder Scott Lucas about the band and their new documentary, Lifers. Plus, the hosts review new albums from Stereolab and Mclusky. 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/...

In this bonus episode, Jim shares a song that confronts a historic tragedy and pays tribute, by name, to the 29 men who died. 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 Join our Fa...

The year is almost halfway over, and there have already been so many incredible new releases. Hosts Jim DeRogatis and Greg Kot share their best albums of 2025 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/3eEvRnG Make a donati...

In this bonus podcast, Jim and Greg speak with the winners of the third annual Sound Opinions Songwriting Prize. These Columbia College Chicago students receive scholarship funds thanks to the Walter and Karla Goldschmidt Foundation. Sarai Cheek - Static Line Maddy Mastrine - Give Me the Flask Alicia Maka - This Too Shall Pass -- Become a member on Patreon:  https://bit.ly/3slWZvc Sign up for...

Hosts Jim DeRogatis and Greg Kot pay tribute to the late musical genius Brian Wilson, who died at age 82. They’ll discuss Wilson’s transcendent music, including doing a deep dive on his masterpiece, Pet 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 P...

In this bonus podcast, Jim and Greg speak with the winners of the second annual Sound Opinions Photo Prize. These Columbia College Chicago students receive scholarship funds thanks to the Walter and Karla Goldschmidt Foundation. Nyla Lawson's Portfolio -- Become a member on Patreon:  https://bit.ly/3slWZvc Sign up for our newsletter:  https://bit.ly/3eEvRnG Make a donation via PayPal:&nb...

Hosts Jim DeRogatis and Greg Kot pay tribute to the late Sly Stone. They review Sly Stone's documentary and memoir, revisit an interview with Family Stone members Jerry Martini and Cynthia Robinson and share some of their favorite tracks from Sly. -- 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 podcast, Jim and Greg speak with the winners of the fourth annual Sound Opinions Writing Prize. These Columbia College Chicago students receive scholarship funds thanks to the Walter and Karla Goldschmidt Foundation. Amy Fisher Rosalie Gengras Zink -- Become a member on Patreon:  https://bit.ly/3slWZvc Sign up for our newsletter:  https://bit.ly/3eEvRnG Make a donation via...

Hosts Jim DeRogatis and Greg Kot talk with writer Kyle Ryan about his Substack, Band Name Bureau. They explore the overlap between good music and poorly named bands. A selection of examples are discussed and played. 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:...

In this bonus episode, Greg adds a song to the Desert Island Jukebox—one that came back to him after watching the Brazilian film "I'm Still Here". Become a member on Patreon:  https://bit.ly/3slWZvc oin our Facebook Group:  https://bit.ly/3sivr9T Sign up for our newsletter:  https://bit.ly/3eEvRnG Make a donation via PayPal:  https://bit.ly/3dmt9lU Send us a Voice Memo: Desktop...

Hosts Jim DeRogatis and Greg Kot pay tribute to the late singer-songwriter Jill Sobule. They revisit their 2009 conversation with Jill where they discuss her music and being a pioneer for crowdfunding art. They also review the new music from Shamir, Pelican and tUnE-yArDs. Join our Facebook Group:  https://bit.ly/3sivr9T Become a member on Patreon:  https://bit.ly/3slWZvc Sign up for our...

Following our tributes to David Thomas and Peter Laughner of Pere Ubu, Jims rounds out the trilogy with a song by another of the band's members. Become a member on Patreon:  https://bit.ly/3slWZvc oin our Facebook Group:  https://bit.ly/3sivr9T Sign up for our newsletter:  https://bit.ly/3eEvRnG Make a donation via PayPal:  https://bit.ly/3dmt9lU Send us a Voice Memo: Desktop:&...

Each week, music writer John Spong talks to one notable Willie Nelson fan about one Willie song that they love, leading to highly personal looks at the life, art, and legend of a genuine American folk hero.  Listen here. New Yorker  music critic Amanda Petrusich looks at the other big hit off Willie and Merle Haggard’s classic 1983  Pancho & Lefty  album, “Reasons to Quit.”...

Hosts Jim DeRogatis and Greg Kot speak with Jenny Toomey and Kristin Thomson, founders of the '90s indie rock band Tsunami and key figures of the D.C. punk scene. The hosts also review the new collaborative album from Julien Baker & Torres. Join our Facebook Group:  https://bit.ly/3sivr9T Become a member on Patreon:  https://bit.ly/3slWZvc Sign up for our newsletter:  https://bi...

In this bonus episode, Greg shares a track by an artist who was long overdue for their recent induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Become a member on Patreon:  https://bit.ly/3slWZvc Join our Facebook Group:  https://bit.ly/3sivr9T Sign up for our newsletter:  https://bit.ly/3eEvRnG Make a donation via PayPal:  https://bit.ly/3dmt9lU Send us a Voice Memo: Desktop:&nbs...

Hosts Jim DeRogatis and Greg Kot talk with author Cary Baker about the musical tradition of street performance, also known as busking. The hosts also review the solo album from TV On The Radio lead singer Tunde Adebimpe and hear feedback from listeners on recent episodes. Join our Facebook Group:  https://bit.ly/3sivr9T Become a member on Patreon:  https://bit.ly/3slWZvc Sign up for our...

Following our tribute to David Thomas, Jim reflects on another Pere Ubu and Rocket from the Tombs member lost too early, and pays tribute with a Desert Island Jukebox selection. Become a member on Patreon:  https://bit.ly/3slWZvc Join our Facebook Group:  https://bit.ly/3sivr9T Sign up for our newsletter:  https://bit.ly/3eEvRnG Make a donation via PayPal:  https://bit.ly/3dmt9...