Sound Opinions

Sound Opinions senior producer Alex Claiborne has a conversation with drag queen, DJ and singer-songwriter Trixie Mattel. They discuss the process of making her Halloween-inspired EP, 'Til Death Do Us Part. They also talk about Trixie's YouTube special, Trixie's Halloween Mattelathon, which expertly combines her comedic chops, musical acumen and love for the spooky season.

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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.

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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

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In this bonus episode, Greg praises a proto-shoegaze band—and its reclusive singer—who never got the acclaim he thinks they deserved.

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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.

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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

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In this bonus episode, Andrew Gill sits down with musical comedian Kyle Gordon, whose songs lovingly parody entire musical genres–from Eurodance to country, pop-punk and beyond.

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Hosts Jim DeRogatis and Greg Kot join with the Chicago music community to pay tribute to John Prine on what would have been his 80th birthday. They revisit an interview with the songwriter from 2018 and dissect his debut album with author Erin Osmon. 

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Featured Songs:

John Prine, "How Lucky," Pink Cadillac, Elektra, 1979

John Prine, "Illegal Smile," John Prine, Atlantic, 1971

John Prine, "Sour Grapes," Diamonds in the Rough, Atlantic, 1972

Steve Goodman, "City of New Orleans," Steve Goodman, Buddah, 1971

John Prine, "Hello In There," John Prine, Atlantic, 1971

New Lost City Ramblers, "No Depression In Heaven," Songs from the Depression , Smithsonian Folkways, 1959

The Carter Family, "The Wandering Boy," The Wandering Boy (Single), Victor, 1927

John Prine, "Sweet Revenge," Sweet Revenge, Atlantic, 1973

John Prine, "Speed of the Sound of Loneliness," German Afternoons, Oh Boy, 1986

John Prine, "If You Don't Want My Love," Bruised Orange, Asylum, 1978

John Prine, "God Only Knows," The Tree of Forgiveness, Oh Boy, 2018

John Prine, "Bad Boy," German Afternoons, Oh Boy, 1986

John Prine, "All The Best," The Missing Years, Oh Boy, 1991

John Prine, "Lake Marie," Lost Dogs + Mixed Blessings, Oh Boy, 1995

John Prine, "Your Flag Decal Won't Get You Into Heaven Anymore," John Prine, Atlantic, 1971

John Prine, "Boundless Love," The Tree of Forgiveness, Oh Boy, 2018

John Prine, "Angel From Montgomery," John Prine, Atlantic, 1971

John Prine, "Sam Stone," John Prine, Atlantic, 1971

John Prine, "Clay Pigeons," John Prine, Atlantic, 1971

John Prine, "Summer's End," The Tree of Forgiveness, Oh Boy, 2018

John Prine, "When I Get To Heaven," The Tree of Forgiveness, Oh Boy, 2018

John Prine, "Caravan of Fools," The Tree of Forgiveness, Oh Boy, 2018

John Prine, "Paradise," John Prine, Atlantic, 1971

This Is Lorelei, "Billy Came Back," The Singer In My Band, Matador, 2026

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In this bonus episode, Jim pays tribute to Cheetah Chrome, guitarist for Rocket from the Tombs and the Dead Boys, who recently died at age 71.

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Hosts Jim DeRogatis and Greg Kot welcome their old colleague and former Sound Opinions host Bill Wyman back to discuss his new book, Bill Wyman’s Rock & Roll Lists, in which he ranks every song by some of rock’s biggest artists.

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Featured Songs:

The Beatles, "Good Day Sunshine," Revolver, Parlophone, 1966

The Beatles, "With a Little Help from My Friends," Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band, Parlophone, 1967

The Eagles, "Lyin' Eyes," One of These Nights, Asylum, 1975

Pink Floyd, "Atom Heart Mother," Atom Heart Mother, Harvest, 1970

Led Zeppelin, "Ramble On," Led Zeppelin II, Atlantic, 1969

Led Zeppelin, "Moby Dick," Led Zeppelin II, Atlantic, 1969

The Eagles, "Hotel California," Hotel California, Asylum, 1976

The Eagles, "Frail Grasp on the Big Picture," Long Road out of Eden, Eagles, 2007

Nirvana, "Smells Like Teen Spirit," Nevermind, DGC and Sub Pop, 1991

Nirvana, "Something in the Way," Nevermind, DGC and Sub Pop, 1991

Bruce Springsteen, "Outlaw Pete," Working on a Dream, Columbia, 2009

Pink Floyd, "Mother," The Wall, Columbia, 1979

Bob Dylan, "Shelter from the Storm," Blood on the Tracks, Columbia, 1975

Bob Dylan, "Tangled Up in Blue," Blood on the Tracks, Columbia, 1975

John Prine, "Angel from Montgomery," John Prine, Atlantic, 1971

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In this bonus episode, Greg spotlights a song he recently heard as Muzak and makes the case for the original and its grocery store counterpart.

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In 2026, Phoebe Bridgers is one of the biggest artists in the world. This week, hosts Jim DeRogatis and Greg Kot revisit their 2018 interview and live performance with Phoebe, which includes never-before-aired content. They discuss her debut album, songwriting prowess and impact on music. They’ll also review the debut album from Westside Cowboy.

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Featured Songs:

Phoebe Bridgers, "Lost Boys," Lost Weekend, Dead Oceans, 2026

The Beatles, "With a Little Help from My Friends," Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band, Parlophone, 1967

Westside Cowboy, "Kick Stones (The Boys)," It Goes On, Island, 2026

Westside Cowboy, "Pin Up Boys," It Goes On, Island, 2026

Westside Cowboy, "Coyote," It Goes On, Island, 2026

Westside Cowboy, "Paperchains," It Goes On, Island, 2026

Westside Cowboy, "Worried Age," It Goes On, Island, 2026

Phoebe Bridgers, "Scott Street (Live on Sound Opinions)," Stranger in the Alps, Dead Oceans, 2017

Phoebe Bridgers, "Funeral," Stranger in the Alps, Dead Oceans, 2017

Phoebe Bridgers, "Chelsea," Stranger in the Alps, Dead Oceans, 2017

Phoebe Bridgers, "Steamroller," Killer, Pax Americana, 2015

Phoebe Bridgers, "Killer (Live on Sound Opinions)," Stranger in the Alps, Dead Oceans, 2017

Phoebe Bridgers, "Demi Moore," Stranger in the Alps, Dead Oceans, 2017

Phoebe Bridgers, "Killer," Stranger in the Alps, Dead Oceans, 2017

Phoebe Bridgers, "Smoke Signals (Live on Sound Opinions)," Stranger in the Alps, Dead Oceans, 2017

Angelo Badalamenti, "Twin Peaks Theme (Instrumental)," Soundtrack from Twin Peaks, Warner Bros., 1990

Neil Young, "The Needle and the Damage Done," Harvest, Reprise, 1972

Radiohead, "Fake Plastic Trees," The Bends, EMI, 1995

Phoebe Bridgers, "You Missed My Heart," Stranger in the Alps, Dead Oceans, 2017

Phoebe Bridgers, "Motion Sickness (Live on Sound Opinions)," Stranger in the Alps, Dead Oceans, 2017

The Beatles, "A Day in the Life," Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band, Parlophone, 1967

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