Sound Opinions

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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.

14 HR AGO

Willie Nelson: The Five Essential Albums & Opinions on Kacey Musgraves

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 Make a donation via PayPal: https://bit.ly/3dmt9lU Send us a Voice Memo: Desktop: bit.ly/2RyD5Ah Mobile: sayhi.chat/soundops Featured Songs: Willie Nelson, "Stardust," Stardust, Columbia, 1978 The Beatles, "With A Little Help From My Friends," Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band, Parlophone, 1967 Kacey Musgraves, "Dry Spell," Middle of Nowhere, Lost Highway, 2026 Kacey Musgraves, "Middle of Nowhere," Middle of Nowhere, Lost Highway, 2026 Kacey Musgraves, "Horses and Divorces (featuring Miranda Lambert)," Middle of Nowhere, Lost Highway, 2026 Kacey Musgraves, "Uncertain, TX (featuring Willie Nelson)," Middle of Nowhere, Lost Highway, 2026 Willie Nelson, "Blue Eyes Crying in the Rain," Red Headed Stranger, Columbia, 1975 Willie Nelson, "Phases and Stages (Theme) / Washing the Dishes," Phases and Stages, Atlantic, 1974 Willie Nelson, "Bloody Mary Morning," Phases and Stages, Atlantic, 1974 Willie Nelson, "Help Me Make It Through the Night," Sings Kristofferson, Columbia, 1979 Willie Nelson, "Georgia On My Mind," Stardust, Columbia, 1978 Willie Nelson, "I Guess I've Come to Live Here in Your Eyes," Spirit, Island, 1996 Willie Nelson, "On the Road Again (Live)," Live! At The US Festival (June 4, 1983), Shout! Factory, 1983 Willie Nelson, "Last Man Standing," Last Man Standing, Legacy, 2018 Willie Nelson, "Always on My Mind," Always on My Mind, Columbia, 1982 Gary Stewart, "She's Actin' Single (I'm Drinkin' Doubles)," Out of Hand, RCA Victor, 1975 See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

50 min
2 DAYS AGO · BONUS

RIP Chip Taylor

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/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
15 MAY

The Violent Femmes' Debut Album

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 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: Blister In The Sun, "Violent Femmes," Violent Femmes, Slash, 1983 The Beatles, "With A Little Help From My Friends," Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band, Parlophone, 1967 Please Do Not Go, "Violent Femmes," Violent Femmes, Slash, 1983 Confession, "Violent Femmes," Violent Femmes, Slash, 1983 Kiss Off, "Violent Femmes," Violent Femmes, Slash, 1983 Add It Up, "Violent Femmes," Violent Femmes, Slash, 1983 Gone Daddy Gone, "Violent Femmes," Violent Femmes, Slash, 1983 Good Feeling, "Violent Femmes," Violent Femmes, Slash, 1983 American Music, "Violent Femmes," Why Do Birds Sing, Reprise, 1991 Willie Nelson, "On The Road Again (Live)," Honeysuckle Rose, Columbia, 1980 See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

50 min
13 MAY · BONUS

A Song for Pirate Radio

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.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
8 MAY

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
6 MAY · 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
1 MAY

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
29 APR · 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

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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

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2 min

Greg Kot

Host
Jim DeRogatis

Host
Will Hermes

Guest
Julia Steiner

Guest
billy woods

Guest

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.