Sound Opinions

4.4 (114)
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.

2D AGO

Breaking the Sophomore Slump

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 Make a donation via PayPal: https://bit.ly/3dmt9lU Send us a Voice Memo: Desktop: bit.ly/2RyD5Ah Mobile: sayhi.chat/soundops Featured Songs: Horsegirl, "Switch Over," Phonetics On and On, Matador, 2025 The Beatles, "With A Little Help From My Friends," Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band, Parlophone, 1967 Black Sabbath, "Paranoid," Paranoid, Vertigo, 1970 Public Enemy, "Bring the Noise," It Takes A Nation of Millions to Hold Us Back, Def Jam, 1988 Led Zeppelin, "Moby Dick," Led Zeppelin II, Atlantic, 1969 Pixies, "Debaser," Doolittle, 4AD, 1989 black midi, "Slow," Cavalcade, Rough Trade, 2021 Kanye West, "Touch the Sky (feat. Lupe Fiasco)," Late Registration, Roc-A-Fella, 2005 Fiona Apple, "Fast As You Can," When the Pawn..., Epic and Clean Slate, 1999 SZA, "Good Days," SOS, TDA and RCA, 2022 Erykah Badu, "Cleva (feat. Roy Ayers)," Mama's Gun, Motown, 2000 D'Angelo, "Chicken Grease," Voodoo, Virgin, 2000 Phoebe Bridgers, "Savior Complex," Punisher, Dead Oceans, 2020 Van Morrison, "Cyprus Avenue," Astral Weeks, Warner Bros., 1968 Violent Femmes, "Please Do Not Go," Violent Femmes, Slash, 1983 See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

50 min
4D AGO · BONUS

The Least Bad Version of (Maybe) a Horrible Song

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: 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.

8 min
MAY 1

Lou Reed

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: Desktop: bit.ly/2RyD5Ah Mobile: sayhi.chat/soundops Featured Songs: Lou Reed, "Walk on the Wild Side," Transformer, RCA, 1972 The Beatles, "With A Little Help From My Friends," Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band, Parlophone, 1967 The Velvet Underground and Nico, "Sunday Morning," The Velvet Underground & Nico, Verve, 1967 The Velvet Underground and Nico, "Heroin," The Velvet Underground & Nico, Verve, 1967 The Velvet Underground, "Pale Blue Eyes," The Velvet Underground, MGM, 1969 Lou Reed, "Coney Island Baby," Coney Island Baby, RCA, 1975 The Velvet Underground, "Some Kinda Love," The Velvet Underground, MGM, 1969 Lou Reed, "How Do You Think It Feels," Berlin, RCA, 1973 Lou Reed, "Perfect Day," Transformer, RCA, 1972 The Velvet Underground, "Sweet Jane," Loaded, Cotillion, 1970 The Velvet Underground and Nico, "I'll Be Your Mirror," The Velvet Underground & Nico, Verve, 1967 The Velvet Underground, "Candy Says," The Velvet Underground, MGM, 1969 Pixies, "Here Comes Your Man," Doolittle, 4AD and Elektra, 1989 See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

51 min
APR 29 · BONUS

No One Understood—Except One Radio DJ

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: 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.

6 min
APR 24

Ratboys & Opinions on Friko

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 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: Ratboys, "Anywhere," Singin' To An Empty Chair, New West, 2026 The Beatles, "With A Little Help From My Friends," Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band, Parlophone, 1967 Friko, "Seven Degrees," Something Worth Waiting For, ATO, 2026 Friko, "Guess," Something Worth Waiting For, ATO, 2026 Friko, "Alice," Something Worth Waiting For, ATO, 2026 Friko, "Choo Choo," Something Worth Waiting For, ATO, 2026 Ratboys, "Folk Song For Jazz," AOID, Topshelf, 2015 Rat Boy, "My Name Is Rat Boy," Internationally Unknown, Parlophone, 2019 Ratboys, "Elvis Is In The Freezer," GN, Topshelf, 2017 Ratboys, "Just Want You To Know The Truth," Singin' To An Empty Chair, New West, 2026 Ratboys, "Making Noises for the Ones You Love," The Window, Topshelf, 2023 Ratboys, "Burn It Down," Singin' To An Empty Chair, New West, 2026 Ratboys, "At Peace In The Hundred Acre Wood," Singin' To An Empty Chair, New West, 2026 Ratboys, "Light Night Mountains All That," Singin' To An Empty Chair, New West, 2026 Lou Reed, "Vicious," Transformer, RCA, 1972 See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

51 min
APR 22 · BONUS

A Song About Robert De Niro (Sort Of)

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 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
APR 17

Rapper Billy Woods, Opinions on Robyn & Courtney Barnett

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/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: Billy Woods, "Misery (feat. Kenny Segal)," Golliwog, Backwoodz Studioz, 2025 The Beatles, "With A Little Help From My Friends," Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band, Parlophone, 1967 Robyn, "Sexistential," Sexistential, Konichiwa and Young, 2026 Robyn, "Sucker For Love," Sexistential, Konichiwa and Young, 2026 Robyn, "Really Real," Sexistential, Konichiwa and Young, 2026 Robyn, "Blow My Mind," Sexistential, Konichiwa and Young, 2026 Courtney Barnett, "Mantis," Creature of Habit, Mom + Pop, 2026 Courtney Barnett, "Another Beautiful Day," Creature of Habit, Mom + Pop, 2026 Courtney Barnett, "Great Advice," Creature of Habit, Mom + Pop, 2026 Courtney Barnett, "One Thing At A Time," Creature of Habit, Mom + Pop, 2026 Armand Hammer & The Alchemist, "Glue Traps (Feat. Quelle Chris)," Mercy, Backwoodz Studioz, 2025 Billy Woods, "Corinthians Corinthians (feat. Despot & EL-P)," Golliwog, Backwoodz Studioz, 2025 Billy Woods, "The Things They Carried," Camouflage, Backwoodz Studioz, 2003 Billy Woods & Messiah Musik, "Pollo Rico," Church, Backwoodz Studioz, 2022 Billy Woods, "Make No Mistake (feat. Messiah Musik)," Golliwog, Backwoodz Studioz, 2025 Billy Woods & Messiah Musik, "Paraquat," Church, Backwoodz Studioz, 2022 Billy Woods, "No Hard Feelings," Aethiopes, Backwoodz Studioz, 2022 Billy Woods, "Asylum," Aethiopes, Backwoodz Studioz, 2022 Billy Woods & Kenny Segal, "Spongebob," Hiding Places, Backwoodz Studioz, 2020 Ratboys, "What's Right?," Singin' To An Empty Chair, New West Records, 2026 See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

51 min
APR 15 · BONUS

RIP James Gadson

In this bonus episode, Greg pays tribute to legendary drummer James Gadson who died on April 2, 2026 at age 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/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

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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.

2021-04-04

•

2 min

Greg Kot

Host
Jim DeRogatis

Host
Will Hermes

Guest
Julia Steiner

Guest
billy woods

Guest

4.4

out of 5

114 Ratings

Always interesting

2023-07-26

ller999t

Terrific, diverse and knowledgable music podcast!
This Show is No Longer Relevant

2025-10-21

morgan.coates

Greg and Jim. Your time is up!!!! Just stop. I have tried resubscribing for a while and your show is simply awful. No taste. Blatant whining. Tired old men trying to be relevant.
Great range of music

2020-12-16

RobButterfield

Thanks for this! Keep up the good work
Love the music. Hate the woke politics

2021-08-12

nick129486627749

Used to love listening to you guys. Discovered a lot of great new music through this show. However, I would recommend leaving your political views out of the show.

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.