Sound Opinions

4.5 (48)
MUSIC
UPDATED WEEKLY

Take two nationally respected rock critics, the latest music news, personal commentary, and exclusive interviews and performances, add a huge pile of records old and new, and the result is Sound Opinions, where people who love music can come together.

1 DAY AGO

Black Thought of The Roots & Opinions on Turnstile

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 a Voice Memo: Desktop: bit.ly/2RyD5Ah Mobile: sayhi.chat/soundops Featured Songs: Danger Mouse and Black Thought, "Sometimes," Cheat Codes, BMG, 2022 The Beatles, "With A Little Help From My Friends," Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band, Parlophone, 1967 Turnstile, "Never Enough," Never Enough, Roadrunner, 2025 Turnstile, "Sole," Never Enough, Roadrunner, 2025 Turnstile, "I Care," Never Enough, Roadrunner, 2025 Turnstile, "Seein' Stars," Never Enough, Roadrunner, 2025 Turnstile, "Sunshower," Never Enough, Roadrunner, 2025 Turnstile, "Dreaming," Never Enough, Roadrunner, 2025 The Roots, "The Next Movement (feat. DJ Jazzy Jeff & Jazzyfatnastees)," Things Fall Apart, MCA, 1999 The Roots, "The Roots is Comin'," Organix!, Self-Released, 1993 Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Five, "The Message," The Message, Sugar Hill, 1982 Run-DMC, "My Adidas," Raising Hell, Profile, 1986 El Michels Affair & Black Thought, "Protocol (feat. Son Little)," Glorious Game, Big Crown, 2023 George Benson, "Give Me The Night," Give Me The Night, Qwest, 1980 The Jacksons, "We Can Change The World," Victory, Epic, 1984 Gene Chandler, "Duke of Earl," Duke of Earl (Single), Vee-Jay, 1961 After, "300 dreams," 300 dreams (Single), Ultraworld, 2025 See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

51 min
3 DAYS AGO · BONUS

RIP Mick Ralphs

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/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 Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

7 min
4 JULY

Local H Plus Opinions on Stereolab and Mclusky

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/3dmt9lU Send us a Voice Memo: Desktop: bit.ly/2RyD5Ah Mobile: sayhi.chat/soundops Featured Songs: Local H, "Bound for the Floor," As Good as Dead, Island, 1996 The Beatles, "With A Little Help From My Friends," Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band, Parlophone, 1967 Stereolab, "Aerial Troubles," Instant Holograms on Metal Film, Warp, 2025 Stereolab, "Electrified Teenybop!," Instant Holograms on Metal Film, Warp, 2025 Stereolab, "Transmuted Matter," Instant Holograms on Metal Film, Warp, 2025 Mclusky, "The Unpopular Parts of The Pig," The World Is Still Here and So Are We, Ipecac, 2025 Mclusky, "The Digger You Deep," The World Is Still Here and So Are We, Ipecac, 2025 Mclusky, "People Person," The World Is Still Here and So Are We, Ipecac, 2025 Local H, "Chicago Fanphair '93," Ham Fisted, Island, 1995 Local H, "Eddie Vedder," As Good as Dead, Island, 1996 Local H, "High-Fiving MF," As Good as Dead, Island, 1996 Local H, "All the Kids Are Right," Pack Up the Cats, Island, 1998 Local H, "Everyone Alive," Whatever Happened to P.J. Soles?, Studio E, 2004 Local H, "The Misanthrope," Hey, Killer, G&P, 2015 Local H, "Turn the Bow," Lifers, AntiFragile Music, 2020 Local H, "2112 Overture / The Temples of Syrinx" (Rush cover)," The Another February EP, Slimstyle, 2013 Local H, "How's The Weather Down There," Whatever Happened to P.J. Soles?, Studio E, 2004 Local H, "Nothing Special," As Good as Dead, Island, 1996 Local H, "P.J. Soles," Whatever Happened to P.J. Soles?, Studio E, 2004 The Roots, "You Got Me (feat. Erykah Badu & Eve)," Things Fall Apart, MCA, 1999 See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

51 min
2 JULY · BONUS

A Protest Song and Eulogy

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 Facebook Group: https://bit.ly/3sivr9T See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

6 min
27 JUNE

2025 Side A: Best Albums So Far

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 donation via PayPal: https://bit.ly/3dmt9lU Send us a Voice Memo: Desktop: bit.ly/2RyD5Ah Mobile: sayhi.chat/soundops Featured Songs: Viagra Boys, "Man Made of Meat," Viagr Aboys, Shrimptech Enterprises, 2025 Tune-Yards, "Sanctuary," Better Dreaming, 4AD, 2025 Sex Scenes, "I'm Not Your T.V.," Everything Makes Me Sick, Big Neck, 2025 Jetstream Pony, "Bubblegum Nothingness," Bowerbirds and Blue Things, Spinout Nuggets, 2025 Pigs Pigs Pigs Pigs Pigs Pigs Pigs, "Toecurler," Death Hilarious, Rocket, 2025 Pneu, "Egyptocratie Numéraire," Get Old Or Die Tryin, Head, 2025 Lucy Dacus, "Big Deal," Forever is a Feeling, Geffen, 2025 Trupa Trupa, "Sister Ray," Mourners, Glitterbeat, 2025 Lambrini Girls, "Special Different," Who Let the Dogs Out, City Slang, 2025 YHWH Nailgun, "Pain Fountain," 45 Pounds, AD 93, 2025 Lady Gaga, "Abracadabra," Mayhem, Interscope, 2025 Viagra Boys, "Bog Body," Viagr Aboys, Shrimptech Enterprises, 2025 FKA Twigs, "Room of Fools," Eusexua, Atlantic, 2025 mckusky, "autofocus on the prime directive," the world is still here and so are we, Ipecac, 2025 Horsegirl, "Switch Over," Phonetics On and On, Matador, 2025 Local H, "Bound for the Floor," As Good as Dead, Island, 2025 See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

51 min
25 JUNE · BONUS

2025 Songwriting Prize Winners

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 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 Facebook Group: https://bit.ly/3sivr9T See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

12 min
20 JUNE

Brian Wilson & Pet Sounds

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 PayPal: https://bit.ly/3dmt9lU Send us a Voice Memo: Desktop: bit.ly/2RyD5Ah Mobile: sayhi.chat/soundops Featured Songs: The Beach Boys, "I Just Wasn't Made For These Times," Pet Sounds, Capitol, 1966 The Beatles, "With A Little Help From My Friends," Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band, Parlophone, 1967 The Beach Boys, "In My Room," Surfer Girl, Capitol, 1963 The Beach Boys, "Lonely Sea," Surfin' USA, Capitol, 1963 The Beach Boys, "Don't Worry Baby," Shut Down Volume 2, Capitol, 1964 The Beach Boys, "Surf's Up," Surf's Up, Brother/Reprise, 1971 The Beach Boys, "Still I Dream of It (Original Home Demo, 1976)," Good Vibrations: Thirty Years of the Beach Boys, Capitol, 1993 The Beach Boys, "Sloop John B," Pet Sounds, Capitol, 1966 The Four Freshman, "I Remember You," Four Freshmen and 5 Trombones, Capitol, 1955 The Gamblers, "LSD-25," Moon Dawg!/LSD-25, World Pacific, 1960 The Beach Boys, "I'm Waiting for the Day," Pet Sounds, Capitol, 1966 The Beach Boys, "Don't Talk (Put Your Head on My Shoulder)," Pet Sounds, Capitol, 1966 The Beach Boys, "Let's Go Away for Awhile," Pet Sounds, Capitol, 1966 The Beach Boys, "Caroline No," Pet Sounds, Capitol, 1966 The Beach Boys, "You Still Believe in Me," Pet Sounds, Capitol, 1966 The Beach Boys, "Pet Sounds," Pet Sounds, Capitol, 1966 The Beach Boys, "Hang On to Your Ego," Pet Sounds, Capitol, 1966 The Beach Boys, "That's Not Me," Pet Sounds, Capitol, 1966 The Beach Boys, "God Only Knows," Pet Sounds, Capitol, 1966 The Beach Boys, "Little Deuce Coupe," Pet Sounds, Capitol, 1966 The Beatles, "Nowhere Man," Rubber Soul, Parlophone, 1965 The Beatles, "She's Leaving Home," Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band, Parlophone, 1967 Horsegirl, "2468," Phonetics On and On, Matador, 2025 See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

51 min
18 JUNE · BONUS

2025 Photography Prize Winners

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: https://bit.ly/3dmt9lU Send us a Voice Memo: Desktop: bit.ly/2RyD5Ah Mobile: sayhi.chat/soundops Join our Facebook Group: https://bit.ly/3sivr9T See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

14 min

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TRAILER

Sound Opinions Trailer

Music: "Colossus" by Scanglobe from Nul Tiel Records Join our Facebook Group: https://bit.ly/3sivr9T Become a member on Patreon: https://bit.ly/3slWZvc Make a donation via PayPal: https://bit.ly/3dmt9lU Record a Voice Memo: https://bit.ly/2RyD5Ah 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.

04/04/2021

•

2 min

Greg Kot

Host
Jim DeRogatis

Host

4.5

out of 5

48 Ratings

Luv’em

09/11/2018

SteveAWillis

Greg & Jim are really entertaining and I do my best to spread the gospel on what a good listen they provide. Many thanks guys- keep on rocking!
I review podcasts

15/08/2021

I review podcasts

Terrible podcast. Don’t waste your time.
Listen, Laff and Bin it!

25/04/2021

chambaby

Two old white quasi hipster dudes talking to other white hipsters. U know, the kind who dish it but can’t take it. Opinion style: Totally predictable. I wouldn’t bother writing this xcept theyre sneery and smug as ... Verdict: Listen, laff and bin it.
For music lovers

28/12/2017

StephenMc2000

This is a weekly sonic love letter to music. I learn something new every episode and I’ve been introduced to so much new and great music. Love it!

Take two nationally respected rock critics, the latest music news, personal commentary, and exclusive interviews and performances, add a huge pile of records old and new, and the result is Sound Opinions, where people who love music can come together.