Sound Opinions

4.3 (2K)
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.

3d ago

Shoegaze Genre Dissection

Hazy guitars, buried vocals and walls of distortion– the shoegaze sound may have peaked in the '90s, but it never really went away. This week, hosts Jim DeRogatis and Greg Kot highlight some of the genre's pioneers along with more recent favorites. The hosts 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/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: Lowtide, "Elizabeth Tower," Southern Mind, Rice Is Nice, Opposite Number, 2018 The Beatles, "With a Little Help from My Friends," Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band, Parlophone, 1967 My Bloody Valentine, "Only Shallow," Loveless, Creation, 1991 Slowdive, "Slowdive," Slowdive (EP), Creation, 1990 Ride, "Dreams Burn Down," Nowhere, Sire, 1990 Lush, "De-Luxe," Gala, 4AD, 1990 Spiritualized, "Shine a Light," Lazer Guided Melodies, RCA, 1992 Catherine Wheel, "Black Metallic," Ferment, Fontana, 1992 Starflyer 59, "Do You Ever Feel That Way," Gold, Tooth and Nail, 1995 Los Mundos, "Explosión Sónica," Máquinas En Movimiento, Las Dunas, 2024 Soft Science, "Undone," Maps, Test Pattern, 2018 Winter, "Hide-A-Lullaby," Adult Romantix, Winspear, 2025 This Will Destroy You, "Little Smoke," Tunnel Blanket, Monotreme, 2011 Deafheaven, "Sunbather," Sunbather, Deathwish, 2013 Slow Crush, "Cherry," Thirst, Pure Noise, 2025 Pink Frost, "Striking Violet," Gargoyle Days, Notes and Bolts, 2012 Courtney Barnett, "Pedestrian at Best," Sometimes I Sit and Think, and Sometimes I Just Sit, Marathon Artists, 2015 See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
5d ago · Bonus

RIP The Lyres' Jeff Conolly

In this bonus episode, Greg pays tribute to Jeff “Monoman” Conolly, the garage-rock pioneer and leader of Lyres, who died July 31, 2026, at the age of 69. Join our Facebook Group: https://bit.ly/3sivr9T Become a member on Patreon: https://bit.ly/3slWZvc Sign up for our newsletter: https://www.patreon.com/collection/2136865 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.
Aug 14

Buddy Guy's 90th Birthday Celebration

To celebrate Buddy Guy's recent 90th birthday, hosts Jim DeRogatis and Greg Kot re-air their 2007 with the blues legend. They'll also give an update on what he's been up to and share some of their favorite Buddy Guy tracks. 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: Buddy Guy, "First Time I Met the Blues," First Time I Met the Blues (Single), Chess, 1960 The Beatles, "With a Little Help from My Friends," Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band, Parlophone, 1967 Buddy Guy, "What Kind of Woman Is This," Bring 'Em In, Jive and Silvertone, 2005 Buddy Guy, "Louise McGhee (Live on Sound Opinions)," Blues Singer, Silvertone, 2003 Buddy Guy & Junior Wells, "Sweet Home Chicago," Play the Blues, Atlantic, 1972 Junior Wells, "Good Morning Little Schoolgirl (Live on Sound Opinions)," Hoodoo Man Blues, Delmark, 1965 Buddy Guy, "Done Got Old (Live on Sound Opinions)," Sweat Tea, Jive and Silvertone, 2001 Buddy Guy, "Let Me Love You Baby," Let Me Love You Baby (Single), Chess, 1961 Buddy Guy, "Stone Crazy," Stone Crazy (Single), Chess, 1961 Little Brother Montgomery, "The First Time I Met the Blues," The First Time I Met The Blues, Blues Interactions, 1998 Buddy Guy, "Born To Play Guitar," Born to Play Guitar, RCA, 2015 Buddy Guy, "Baby Please Don't Leave Me," Sweat Tea, Jive and Silvertone, 2001 My Bloody Valentine, "Only Shallow," Loveless, Creation, 1991 See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Aug 12 · Bonus

Another History Lesson from Professor DeRogatis

In this bonus episode, Jim shares a song that ties back to his childhood fascination with the Alamo. Join our Facebook Group: https://bit.ly/3sivr9T Become a member on Patreon: https://bit.ly/3slWZvc Sign up for our newsletter: https://www.patreon.com/collection/2136865 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.
Aug 7

Heartland Rock with Erin Osmon, RIP Glen Hansard

This week, hosts Jim DeRogatis and Greg Kot talk with author Erin Osmon about her new book on "heartland rock." She argues that artists like John Mellencamp and Tom Petty filled stadiums in the 1980s, but also pushed back against the politics of the Reagan era. The hosts also pay tribute to Irish troubadour Glen Hansard. 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: Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers, "I Won't Back Down," Full Moon Fever, MCA, 1989 The Beatles, "With a Little Help from My Friends," Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band, Parlophone, 1967 The Frames, "Fitzcarraldo," Fitzcarraldo, ZTT, 1995 The Swell Season, "Falling Slowly (Live On Sound Opinions)," Swell Season, Overcoat, 2006 Bruce Springsteen, "Born In The U.S.A.," Born In The U.S.A., Columbia, 1984 John Cougar Mellencamp, "Pink Houses," Uh-Huh, Riva, 1983 Bob Seger & The Silver Bullet Band, "Like A Rock," Like A Rock, Capitol, 1986 Neil Young, "Keep On Rockin' In The Free World (Live on SNL)," Freedom, Reprise, 1989 Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers, "Don't Come Around Here No More," Southern Accents, MCA, 1985 Bonnie Raitt, "Nick Of Time," Nick Of Time, Capitol, 1989 Stephen Wilson Jr., "Gary," (Single), Big Loud, 2026 Don Henley, "The Boys of Summer," Building the Perfect Beast, Geffen, 1984 John Cougar Mellencamp, "Rain on the Scarecrow," Scarecrow, Riva, 1986 Buddy Guy, "Baby Please Don't Leave Me," Sweet Tea, Silvertone, 2001 See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Aug 5 · Bonus

From Demo to Classic

In this bonus episode, Greg tells the story of a classic song that took the perfect voice to become a hit. Join our Facebook Group: https://bit.ly/3sivr9T Become a member on Patreon: https://bit.ly/3slWZvc Sign up for our newsletter: https://www.patreon.com/collection/2136865 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.
Jul 31

Summer Review Roundup: Jack White, Olivia Rodrigo, Margo Price, Robyn Hitchcock & Swamp Dogg

This week, hosts Jim DeRogatis and Greg Kot dig into a record review roundup full of summertime releases. The hosts discuss new albums from Olivia Rodrigo, Jack White, Margo Price, Robyn Hitchcock, and Swamp Dogg. 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: Robyn Hitchcock, "Yesterday's Rain," The Confuser, TINY GHOST, 2026 The Beatles, "With a Little Help from My Friends," Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band, Parlophone, 1967 Olivia Rodrigo, "Drop Dead," You Seem Pretty Sad for a Girl So in Love, Geffen, 2026 Olivia Rodrigo, "Purple," You Seem Pretty Sad for a Girl So in Love, Geffen, 2026 Olivia Rodrigo, "What's Wrong with Me," You Seem Pretty Sad for a Girl So in Love, Geffen, 2026 Jack White, "G.O.D. and the Broken Ribs," Frozen Charlotte, Third Man, 2026 Jack White, "Neighbors Blues," Frozen Charlotte, Third Man, 2026 Jack White, "Derecho Demonico," Frozen Charlotte, Third Man, 2026 Jack White, "Dollar Bill," Frozen Charlotte, Third Man, 2026 Margo Price, "San Marcos," Days of Unrest, Loma Vista, 2026 Margo Price, "Oval Room," Days of Unrest, Loma Vista, 2026 Margo Price, "Long Haired Country Girl (featuring Billy Swan)," Days of Unrest, Loma Vista, 2026 Margo Price, "Deportee (Plane Wreck at Los Gatos) (featuring Joan Baez & Memphis Mariachi)," Days of Unrest, Loma Vista, 2026 Robyn Hitchcock, "I Am This Thing," The Confuser, Tiny Ghost, 2026 Robyn Hitchcock, "Building From The Ruins," The Confuser, Tiny Ghost, 2026 Robyn Hitchcock, "My Dead Astronaut," The Confuser, Tiny Ghost, 2026 Robyn Hitchcock, "Breathless," The Confuser, Tiny Ghost, 2026 Swamp Dogg, "Waka Waka Waka (feat. Gary U.S. Bonds)," Swamp Dogg Contemplates the Afterlife, S-Curve, 2026 Swamp Dogg, "Searching For Heaven," Swamp Dogg Contemplates the Afterlife, S-Curve, 2026 Swamp Dogg, "Please Don't Bury Me," Swamp Dogg Contemplates the Afterlife, S-Curve, 2026 The Feelies, "Slipping (Into Something)," The Good Earth, Rough Trade, 1986 The Feelies, "Slipping (Into Something) (Live at 40 Watt Club, Athen, GA)," The Good Earth, Rough Trade, 1986 Texas Tornados, "(Hey Baby) Que Pasó," Texas Tornados, Reprise, 1990 Neil Young, "Old Man," Harvest, Reprise, 1972 Tom Petty, "I Won't Back Down," Full Moon Fever, MCA, 1989 See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Jul 30 · Bonus

RIP Glen Hansard

In 2008 Glen Hansard and Markéta Irglová performed their soon-to-be Oscar winning song "Falling Slowly" on Sound Opinions. As an act of mourning Glen Hansard's tragic death on July 29, we're sharing that interview and performance with The Swell Season here. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

See All (1.4K)

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.

Greg Kot

Host
Jim DeRogatis

Host
Erin Osmon

Guest
Yi-Ling Liu

Guest
Lucy Dacus

Guest

4.3

out of 5

1,973 Ratings

Where is the kneecap review?

May 10

frederick7

It was advertised on NPR but is not available here
Sound Interviews, Unsound Opinions

Jun 29

binibob

The interviews are good but the new music reviews drag the whole program down. If they don’t like something they’re just going to dump on it and provide little in the way of actual informative music criticism. A good review should inform the audience about the music, just telling us how much you hate something is not enough. It’s okay to not like everything but they’re so negative when they don’t like something I can’t listen anymore. I was genuinely surprised to learn how long they’ve been on the air because their takes are about as informed as my grumpy old next door neighbor’s would be.
The Nirvana talk needs to chill

05/12/2024

NickNightLive

Nirvana’s legacy is massive, we get it! Any opportunity these guys have, they’ll shoehorn something about Kurt/Nirvana into it. Steve Albini passes? Let’s not delve into some of his best produced albums, let’s talk about In Utero for 15 minutes and their interactions with Kurt at the time. The Melvins visit? Let’s not talk about their influence on several genres or the fact that they’re still finding ways to be one of the weirdest, coolest bands going, let’s talk about Kurt and Courtney. The hosts are great but they really let an alright band with an outsized legacy dictate some of these conversations.
Too short. Go deeper

Apr 13

Rivermantengo

Why do a podcast, a platform that allows long from discussions, when you only barley scratch the surface?

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.