Sound Opinions

Sound Opinions

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. 4d ago

    Stevie Wonder's "Songs in the Key of Life" 50th Anniversary

    It’s been 50 years since Stevie Wonder released his masterpiece "Songs in the Key of Life." This week, hosts Jim DeRogatis and Greg Kot revisit their dissection of the double album and EP, plus they discuss four newly released tracks and whether "Songs in the Key of Life" is Stevie Wonder’s best album. They’ll also hear from some listeners. 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/4frcVZo Make a donation via PayPal: https://bit.ly/3dmt9lU Send us a Voice Memo: Desktop: bit.ly/2RyD5Ah  Mobile: sayhi.chat/soundops   Featured Songs: Stevie Wonder, "Sir Duke," Songs in the Key Of Life, Tamla, 1976 The Beatles, "With A Little Help From My Friends," Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band, Parlophone, 1967 Stevie Wonder, "Knocks Me Off My Feet," Songs in the Key Of Life, Tamla, 1976 Stevie Wonder, "Saturn," Songs in the Key Of Life, Tamla, 1976 Stevie Wonder, "Isn't She Lovely," Songs in the Key Of Life, Tamla, 1976 Stevie Wonder, "Joy Inside My Tears," Songs in the Key Of Life, Tamla, 1976 Stevie Wonder, "Contusion," Songs in the Key Of Life, Tamla, 1976 Stevie Wonder, "Black Man," Songs in the Key Of Life, Tamla, 1976 Stevie Wonder, "Pastime Paradise," Songs in the Key Of Life, Tamla, 1976 Stevie Wonder, "As," Songs in the Key Of Life, Tamla, 1976 Stevie Wonder, "I Can See The Sun In Late December," Songs in the Key of Life - The EP, Motown, 2026 Stevie Wonder, "It's Easier," Songs in the Key of Life - The EP, Motown, 2026 Stevie Wonder, "My Life Story Of Love," Songs in the Key of Life - The EP, Motown, 2026 Stevie Wonder, "I'm Into Livin'," Songs in the Key of Life - The EP, Motown, 2026 Stevie Wonder, "Signed, Sealed, Delivered (I'm Yours)," Signed, Sealed & Delivered, Tamla, 1970 Stevie Wonder, "Outside My Window," Stevie Wonder's Journey Through "The Secret Life of Plants", Tamla, 1979 Stevie Wonder, "Venus' Flytrap and the Bug," Stevie Wonder's Journey Through "The Secret Life of Plants", Tamla, 1979 Stevie Wonder, "Higher Ground," Innervisions, Tamla, 1973 Stevie Wonder, "All In Love Is Fair," Innervisions, Tamla, 1973 Stevie Wonder, "Living For the City," Innervisions, Tamla, 1973 Ren, "Seven Sins," Sick Boi, The Other Songs, 2023 Kim Petras, "Close Your Eyes," Turn Off the Light, Vol. 1 , Bunhead, 2018 Teen Mortgage, "Devil Ultrasonic Dream," Devil Ultrasonic Dream, Roadrunner, 2025 Elliott Smith, "Say Yes," Either/Or, Kill Rock Stars, 1997 See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

  2. Oct 30

    Chuck Berry at 100

    On the occasion of his 100th birthday, hosts Jim DeRogatis and Greg Kot pay tribute to Chuck Berry. They talk with writers Ed Ward and RJ Smith to assess Berry's place in the creation of rock n roll. They also talk with the session drummer who played with Berry in his final Chicago concert.  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/4frcVZo Make a donation via PayPal: https://bit.ly/3dmt9lU Send us a Voice Memo: Desktop: bit.ly/2RyD5Ah  Mobile: sayhi.chat/soundops   Featured Songs: Chuck Berry, "Johnny B. Goode," Johnny B. Goode (Single), Chess, 1958 The Beatles, "With A Little Help From My Friends," Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band, Parlophone, 1967 Chuck Berry, "Roly Poly," After School Session, Chess, 1957 Louis Jordan and His Tympany Five, "Ain't That Just Like a Woman (They'll Do It Every Time)," (Single), Decca, 1946 Joe Alexander and the Cubans, "Oh Maria," I Hope These Words Will Find You Well (Single), , 1954 Chuck Berry, "You Can't Catch Me," After School Session, Chess, 1957 Chuck Berry, "Almost Grown," Berry Is on Top, Chess, 1959 Chuck Berry, "Thirty Days (To Come Back Home)," Thirty Days (To Come Back Home) (Single), Chess, 1955 Muddy Waters, "She's All Right," She's All Right (Single), Chess, 1953 Chuck Berry, "Deep Feeling," After School Session, Chess, 1957 Bob Wills and His Texas Playboys, "Ida Red," Ida Red (Single), Vocalion, 1939 Chuck Berry, "Maybellene," Maybellene (Single), Chess, 1955 Chuck Berry, "Carol," Carol (Single), Chess, 1958 Chuck Berry, "Blues #1," Rock And Roll Music - Any Old Way You Choose It (The Complete Studio Recordings ... Plus!), Chess, 2014 Chuck Berry, "You Never Can Tell," St. Louis to Liverpool, Chess, 1964 The Beach Boys, "Surfin' U.S.A.," Surfin' U.S.A., Capitol, 1963 The Beatles, "I Saw Her Standing There," I Want to Hold Your Hand (Single), Capitol, 1963 Bob Dylan, "Subterranean Homesick Blues," Bringing It All Back Home, Columbia, 1965 Rolling Stones, "Brown Sugar," Sticky Fingers, Rolling Stones, 1971 Simon and Garfunkel, "Kodachrome / Mabellene," The Concert in Central Park (Live), Geffen, 1982 Nina Simone, "Brown Eyed Handsome Man," High Priestess of Soul, Phillips, 1967 T. Rex, "Get It On," Electric Warrior, Reprise, 1971 Bruce Springsteen, "From Small Things (Big Things One Day Come)," The Ties That Bind: The River Collection, Columbia, 1980 Emmylous Harris, "(You Never Can Tell) C'est La Vie," Luxury Liner, Warner Bros, 1976 Sex Pistols, "Johnny B. Goode," The Great Rock 'n' Roll Swindle, Virgin, 1979 Buck Owens, "Johnny B. Goode," Buck Owens in London "Live", Capitol, 1969 Peter Tosh, "Johnny B. Goode," Mama Africa, EMI, 1983 Judas Priest, "Johnny B. Goode," Ram It Down, Columbia, 1988 LL Cool J, "Go Cut Creator Go," Bigger and Deffer, Def Jam, 1987 Chuck Berry, "Nadine (Is It You)," Nadine (Single), Chess, 1964 Stevie Wonder, "Sir Duke," Songs In The Key Of Life, Tamla, 1976 See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

  3. Oct 23

    A Sound Opinions Halloween!

    Hosts Jim DeRogatis and Greg Kot celebrate the spooky season with a contemporary Halloween playlist, from pop hits to underground gems. They also hear picks from the production staff and the Sound Opinions scholars. 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/4frcVZo Make a donation via PayPal: https://bit.ly/3dmt9lU Send us a Voice Memo: Desktop: bit.ly/2RyD5Ah  Mobile: sayhi.chat/soundops   Featured Songs: Haute & Freddy, "Freaks," Big Disgrace, Atlantic, 2026 The Beatles, "With A Little Help From My Friends," Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band, Parlophone, 1967 Fizzle Like a Flood, "Ambulance," Black Walls and William Hall, self-released, 2025 Olivia Rodrigo, "Vampire," Guts, Geffen, 2023 Trixie Mattel, "Vampire," Til Death Do Us Part, PEG, 2026 Fontaines D.C., "Romance," Romance, XL, 2024 Grimes, "Oblivion," Visions, 4AD, 2012 Lankum, "Go Dig My Grave," False Lankum, Rough Trade, 2023 Slayyyter, "Cannibalism!," WOR$T GIRL IN AMERICA, Columbia, 2026 Billie Eilish, "Bury a Friend," When We All Fall Asleep, Where Do We Go?, Interscope, 2019 Harry Styles, "Two Ghosts," Harry Styles, Erskine, 2017 Boyz4Now with the Belchers, "I Love You So Much (It's Scary)," The Bob's Burgers Music Album, Sub Pop, 2016 Lady Gaga, "Bloody Mary," Born This Way, Interscope, 2011 Disasterpeace, "Title," It Follows (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack), Milan, 2015 John Carpenter, "Myer's House," Halloween (Original 1978 Motion Picture Soundtrack), Columbia, 1983 John Carpenter, "The Shape Stalks," Halloween (Original 1978 Motion Picture Soundtrack), Columbia, 1983 Bebe Barron and Louis Barron, "Forbidden Planet Soundtrack - a) Main Titles - Overture - b) Giant Footprints In The Sand," Forbidden Planet (Original MGM Soundtrack), Planet, 1976 Bernard Herrmann, Joel McNeely & Royal Scottish Orchestra, "Scotty Trails Madeline (Including: Madeline's First Appearance, Madeline's Car, The Flower Shop, The Alleyway, The Mission, Graveyard, and Tombstone)," Vertigo (Original Motion Picture Score), Varèse Sarabande, 1995 John Carpenter, "Dark Star," Anthology: Movie Themes 1974-1998, Rodeo Suplex, 2017 John Carpenter, "Halloween Theme - Main Title," Halloween (Original 1978 Motion Picture Soundtrack), Columbia, 1979 Alexander 23, "I Hate You So Much," I Hate You So Much (Single), Interscope, 2020 The Goldstars, "Let Your Freak Flag Fly (It's Halloween Night)," The Halloween Album, Mordorlorff, 2026 Princess Chelsea, "Cigarette Duet," Lil' Golden Book, Lil' Chef, 2011 Chuck Berry, "Johnny B. Goode," Johnny B. Goode, Pickwick, 1972 See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

  4. Oct 16

    Fall Review Roundup: Opinions on Neil Young, This is Lorelei, Michael Kiwanuka & More

    Hosts Jim DeRogatis and Greg Kot review some new albums from Michael Kiwanuka, Neil Young, Chaka Khan, The Tubs and This is Lorelei. They also bid farewell to Cheetah Chrome, guitarist for the Dead Boys and Rocket from the Tombs, and hear from some listeners. 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/4frcVZo Make a donation via PayPal: https://bit.ly/3dmt9lU Send us a Voice Memo: Desktop: bit.ly/2RyD5Ah  Mobile: sayhi.chat/soundops   Featured Songs: This Is Lorelei, "Billy Came Back," The Singer In My Band, Matador, 2026 The Beatles, "With A Little Help From My Friends," Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band, Parlophone, 1967 Neil Young & The Chrome Hearts, "Second Song," Second Song, Reprise, 2026 Neil Young & The Chrome Hearts, "Casting Me Away From You," Second Song, Reprise, 2026 Neil Young & The Chrome Hearts, "I'll Love You Forever," Second Song, Reprise, 2026 Neil Young & The Chrome Hearts, "Day After Day," Second Song, Reprise, 2026 Neil Young & The Chrome Hearts, "Earth Girl," Second Song, Reprise, 2026 Chaka Khan, "Always Love the Challenge," Chakzilla, EarthSong and BMG, 2026 Chaka Khan, "Curious Subject," Chakzilla, EarthSong and BMG, 2026 Chaka Khan, "Cool You Down (feat. Sia)," Chakzilla, EarthSong and BMG, 2026 Chaka Khan, "Now and Forever," Chakzilla, EarthSong and BMG, 2026 This Is Lorelei, "Oh No Now My," The Singer In My Band, Matador, 2026 This Is Lorelei, "The Singer in My Band," The Singer In My Band, Matador, 2026 Michael Kiwanuka, "Summer Clothes," Fudge, Polydor, 2026 Michael Kiwanuka, "Love In My Heart," Fudge, Polydor, 2026 Michael Kiwanuka, "Steve's Paradise," Fudge, Polydor, 2026 The Tubs, "Who's Gonna Love You Now," Hard Life, Merge, 2026 The Tubs, "Heaven or London," Hard Life, Merge, 2026 The Tubs, "If You Don't Love Me," Hard Life, Merge, 2026 The Tubs, "Do Yourself a Favor," Hard Life, Merge, 2026 Rocket from the Tombs, "Ain't it Fun (Live)," The Day The Earth Met The...(Live From Punk Ground Zero, Cleveland 1975), Smog Veil, 2002 Rocket from the Tombs, "Sonic Reducer," Black Record, Fire, 2015 Sweeping Promises, "Accent," You Say I Romanticize, Sub Pop, 2026 Neil Young, "Imagine," America: A Tribute to Heroes, Interscope, 2001 AFI, "Fall Children," All Hallow's E.P., Nitro, 1999 See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

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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.

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