Sound Opinions

By Sound Opinions

What's Sound Opinions about?

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 - the world's only rock and roll talk show.

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Robert Finley, Opinions on ...

01.14.2022

For much of his life, Robert Finley's musical talent was a buried treasure, but with "Sharecropper's Son" he made one of the best albums of 2021. Hosts Jim DeRogatis and Greg Kot talk with Finley about his unconventional path to ...

Sound Opinions episodes:

01.14.2022 Robert Finley, Opinions on Neil Young, The Weeknd & Turnstile, Plus Peter Bogdanovich For much of his life, Robert Finley's musical talent was a buried treasure, but with "Sharecropper's Son" he made one of the best albums of 2021. Hosts Jim DeRogatis and Greg Kot talk with Finley about his unconventional path to ...
01.12.2022 Peter Bogdanovich on Tom Petty In this bonus episode, director Peter Bogdanovich talks with Jim and Greg about his Tom Petty documentary, "Runnin' Down A Dream." Bogdanovich died on January 6 at age 82. Become a member on Patreon: https://bit.ly/3slWZvc
01.07.2022 The Top Singles of 2021 & Greg's Mixtape Some songs can define our memory of a year when we look back. Host Jim DeRogatis and production staff share the songs that defined 2021 for them. Plus, host Greg Kot shares his 2021 mixtape and pays tribute to musicians ...
01.05.2022 A great song by a cool band, made popular by a pop star In this bonus podcast, Greg adds a song to the Desert Island Jukebox that became very popular for a pop star, but whose songwriter remained obscure. Become a member on Patreon: https://bit.ly/3slWZvc
12.31.2021 "Gimme Shelter" Singer Merry Clayton & Author Dawnie Walton Author Dawnie Walton talks with hosts Jim DeRogatis and Greg Kot about what inspired her debut novel, The Final Revival of Opal and Nev, a fantasy rock history about a fierce black singer in the 1970s. Plus Jim and Greg ...
12.29.2021 A '90s Nugget Gets Added to the Jukebox In this bonus podcast, Jim adds a one-hit-wonder from 1996 to the Desert Island Jukebox. Become a member on Patreon: https://bit.ly/3slWZvc
12.24.2021 Revisiting Carole King's Tapestry Hosts Jim DeRogatis and Greg Kot revisit their classic album dissection of Carole King's "Tapestry" for its 50th anniversary. 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 ...
12.22.2021 A rap duo that's big in Canada, plus a TV show endorsement In this bonus episode Jim adds a song to the Desert Island Jukebox inspired by a favorite TV show from his favorite director. Become a member on Patreon: https://bit.ly/3slWZvc
12.17.2021 Sound Opinions Holiday Spectacular with Andy Cirzan It’s the most wonderful time of the year: Andy Cirzan has a bag full of fresh festive tunes for everyone to enjoy. The Sound Opinions Holiday Spectacular is back with vintage Korean psych rock, rare old school Caribbean vinyl and ...
12.15.2021 Matt Muse Interview and Music World Obituaries In this bonus podcast Jim interviews hip hop artist Matt Muse and Greg pays tribute to three music world luminaries who recently passed. Become a member on Patreon: https://bit.ly/3slWZvc
12.10.2021 The Best Albums of 2021 It's time for one of the most anticipated shows of the year, the Best Albums of 2021! Hosts Jim DeRogatis and Greg Kot share their favorite records of the year that they keep returning to again and again. They also ...
12.08.2021 When concerts turn unsafe In this bonus episode, Jim and Greg continue their conversation with Rolling Stone senior writer and Sound Opinions contributor, Althea Legaspi about first hand experiences of unsafe concerts. Become a member on Patreon: https://bit.ly/3slWZvc
12.03.2021 The Beatles Get Back, Astroworld & Concert Safety This week, hosts Jim DeRogatis and Greg Kot talk with Sound Opinions collaborator Althea Legaspi about the tragedy at Travis Scott's Astroworld Festival. They discuss the dire need for consistent safety measures at shows and times they felt unsafe in ...
12.01.2021 The first American band signed to 4AD In this bonus podcast, Jim adds a song to the Desert Island Jukebox from an under-appreciated band from the late-80s indie scene. Become a member on Patreon: https://bit.ly/3slWZvc
11.26.2021 Aimee Mann's Five Essential Albums, Opinions on Robert Plant & Alison Krauss Hosts Jim DeRogatis and Greg Kot are big fans of Aimee Mann's songwriting so they've asked her to choose five albums that shaped her artistic outlook. She shares those albums and what they meant to her at different points in ...
11.24.2021 The story of Karen Dalton In this bonus podcast, producer Andrew Gill interviews directors Robert Yapkowitz and Richard Peete about their film "Karen Dalton: In My Own Time." Become a member on Patreon: https://bit.ly/3slWZvc
11.19.2021 Songs About Giving Thanks, Opinions on IDLES & Courtney Barnett With Thanksgiving coming up, hosts Jim DeRogatis and Greg Kot share some of their favorite songs about giving thanks. Plus they review highly anticipated new albums from Courtney Barnett and IDLES. Join our Facebook Group: https://bit.ly/3sivr9T Become a member on ...
11.17.2021 Jim remembers a lesser-known Motown diva In this bonus podcast, Jim adds a song to the desert island jukebox from a lesser-known Motown diva who began her career with a secret. Become a member on Patreon: https://bit.ly/3slWZvc
11.12.2021 Buried Treasures, Opinions on ABBA & Goat Girl It's that time yet again! Hosts Jim DeRogatis and Greg Kot love to share newly released music that they've uncovered, Buried Treasures. This week, they've got a fresh batch of songs to add to your playlist. Plus, a conversation with ...
11.10.2021 A soulful cover of a spooky song In this bonus episode, Greg adds a Halloween song performed by a favorite soul singer to the Desert Island Jukebox. Become a member on Patreon: https://bit.ly/3slWZvc
11.05.2021 Miles Copeland of I.R.S. Records on R.E.M., The Police and More, Plus Opinions on Brandi Carlile & Parquet Courts As a co-founder and executive at I.R.S. Records, Miles Copeland found success in the 1980s with a roster of artists ranging from R.E.M. to The Police to the Go-Go's. Hosts Jim DeRogatis and Greg Kot talk with Miles about his ...
11.03.2021 A Chicago band that spurred an entire genre In this bonus episode, Jim adds a song to the Desert Island Jukebox from a Chicago band that never got it's due despite spurring an entire genre. Their lead singer sadly died of COVID. Become a member on Patreon: https://bit.ly/3slWZvc
10.29.2021 The Velvet Underground with Dir. Todd Haynes, Opinions on Ray BLK & illuminati hotties Hosts Jim DeRogatis and Greg Kot have long praised The Velvet Underground as one of the most important bands of the rock era. This week they review the new documentary film on the band and interview director Todd Haynes. Plus ...
10.27.2021 More with Jimmy Jam In this bonus episode we hear more from our recent interview with Jimmy Jam. He talks about the future of Morris Day and The Time and working with Babyface and Heather Headley. Become a member on Patreon: https://bit.ly/3slWZvc
10.22.2021 Ghostly Tracks & the Origins Behind Them It's spooky season and hosts Jim DeRogatis and Greg Kot have a new batch of songs about ghosts to share. They're joined by Sam Weller, author of many books on Ray Bradbury and the gothic short story collection Dark Black, ...
10.20.2021 The Go-Go's Gina Schock on her new photobook, the Rock Hall of Fame & more In this bonus episode, Sound Opinions Senior Producer Alex Claiborne chats with drummer Gina Schock of The Go-Go's about her upcoming photobook, induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and the 40th anniversary of Beauty and the Beat. ...
10.15.2021 Jimmy Jam of Jam & Lewis on His Hits With Janet Jackson & New Album, Plus Shirley Manson of Garbage Since the 1980s, producers and songwriters Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis have made huge hits with artists like Janet Jackson, Boyz II Men and Mariah Carey. But finally in 2021, the duo released their debut album as artists. Hosts Jim ...
10.13.2021 Critical darlings once more In this bonus podcast, Greg plays a song by a band that were once critical darlings, but have taken a critical beating over the past 20 years. He presents this song as evidence they haven't lost a step. Become a ...
10.08.2021 Jason Molina: His Life and Music, Plus Opinions on Mickey Guyton & Leon Bridges Whether he was recording as Songs: Ohia or Magnolia Electric Company, Jason Molina was a poetic and enigmatic musician, releasing 16 studio albums before his untimely death in 2013. Hosts Jim DeRogatis and Greg Kot talk with Erin Osmon about ...
10.06.2021 Shirley Manson on Garbage's new album and her podcast In this bonus episode producer Alex Claiborne talks with Garbage lead singer Shirley Manson about their new album "No Gods No Masters" and her podcast The Jump. Become a member on Patreon: https://bit.ly/3slWZvc
10.01.2021 The R. Kelly Conviction with dream hampton and Jim DeRogatis & Reviews of Adia Victoria and Little Simz As the two journalists who had the biggest roles in bringing R. Kelly to justice, dream hampton, director of "Surviving R. Kelly" and Jim DeRogatis reflect on the news this week that the R&B superstar was convicted of federal charges. ...
09.29.2021 The Drive-By Truckers' American South In this bonus episode producer Andrew Gill interviews author Stephen Deusner about his new book, "Where The Devil Don't Stay: Traveling the South with the Drive-By Truckers." Become a member on Patreon: https://bit.ly/3slWZvc
09.24.2021 Reviews of Low, Kacey Musgraves, Lil Nas X & More, Plus Guest Desert Island Jukebox As we move into fall, there's an abundance of new music to review. Hosts Jim DeRogatis and Greg Kot do a review roundup, sharing their thoughts on new music from artists like Kacey Musgraves, Lil Nas X, Low and Amyl ...
09.22.2021 A band that really cooks In this bonus podcast, Jim adds a song to the desert island jukebox by a band that actually cooked on stage. Become a member on Patreon: https://bit.ly/3slWZvc
09.20.2021 Pitchfork Music Festival report and more buried treasures In this bonus podcast, Jim and Greg share a couple more buried treasure picks and talk with producer Alex Claiborne about her experience at the recent Pitchfork Music Festival in Chicago. Become a member on Patreon: https://bit.ly/3slWZvc
09.17.2021 Buried Treasures & Tamar Aphek With the volume of music released each week, some is bound to not get the attention it deserves. This week hosts Jim DeRogatis and Greg Kot share some of their recent finds and shine a light on them. They also ...
09.15.2021 Leon Bridges on honing his Gold-Diggers Sound In this bonus podcast, Sound Opinions associate producer Sol Delgadillo interviews return guest Leon Bridges about his third album "Gold-Diggers Sound" and what it's like to hear his song "The River" so often in auditions for The Voice. Become a ...
09.10.2021 Glam Rocker Art d'Ecco, Opinions on Drake & Halsey In the great glam rock tradition, Art d’Ecco is making dynamic, melodic music as his costumed alter ego. Hosts Jim DeRogatis and Greg Kot talk with singer, songwriter and keyboardist Art d’Ecco about his new album In Standard Definition, influences ...
09.08.2021 Black Girls Rock! founder Beverly Bond talks with Althea Legaspi, plus a live music update In this bonus episode contributor Althea Legaspi talks with DJ Beverly Bond about her organization, Black Girls Rock! Althea also talks with Jim and Greg about the current state of live music dealing with COVID and shares a new track ...
09.03.2021 Songs About Breaking Free, Kanye Review, RIP Lee Scratch Perry As Sound Opinions celebrates our first year as an independent production, hosts Jim DeRogatis and Greg Kot share their favorite songs about breaking free. They also review the new album by Kanye West, pay tribute to Lee Scratch Perry and ...
09.01.2021 A tribute to half of one of the greatest rock 'n roll duos ever In this bonus podcast Greg pays tribute to Don Everly, who died August 21 at age 84. Become a member on Patreon: https://bit.ly/3slWZvc
08.27.2021 Yola & Charlie Watts Hosts Jim DeRogatis and Greg Kot interview British singer Yola, whose new album blurs genres and breaks her out of the country niche of her previous work. Plus, they pay tribute to the late, great Rolling Stones drummer Charlie Watts. ...
08.25.2021 Richard Thompson on jamming with Led Zeppelin, getting mocked by Buck Owens and avoiding his police officer dad in 1960s London In this bonus podcast we hear more from our recent interview with Richard Thompson. He comments on jamming with Led Zeppelin, discovering French music from his dad's record collection, avoiding his dad's police station while gigging in London and a ...
08.24.2021 A conversation about Aaliyah In this special bonus podcast Jim talks with author Kathy Iandoli about her new book, "Baby Girl: Better Known as Aaliyah." As much of her music comes to streaming platforms for the first time and details about R Kelly's predatory ...
08.20.2021 Richard Thompson of Fairport Convention, Opinions on Naked Raygun & Amythyst Kiah Hosts Jim DeRogatis and Greg Kot interview singer, songwriter and guitarist Richard Thompson this week. They discuss his memoir Beeswing, his time in Fairport Convention and how the iconic folk rock band stood out in a sea of blues and ...
08.18.2021 Dusty Hill, The Bearded Blues Rock Bassist and Vocalist, Remembered In this bonus podcast, Greg adds a ZZ Top song to the Desert Island Jukebox in tribute to their bassist, Dusty Hill, who died in July. Become a member on Patreon: https://bit.ly/3slWZvc
08.13.2021 Yes's Going For the One with Jon Anderson & Opinions on Tyler, the Creator This week, hosts Jim DeRogatis and Greg Kot dissect Yes’ 1977 masterpiece album Going For the One. They talk about the progressive rock band’s history, the rich music and interview lead singer Jon Anderson about the making of the record. ...
08.11.2021 Jim is Pure as New York Snow with his Latest Desert Island Disc Jim takes a trip to the desert island to play the song "Bette Davis Eyes" by Kim Carnes. The 1981 song is often thought of as just another one-hit wonder, but Jim highlights not only Carnes's signature vocals but also ...
08.06.2021 Latin Music's Ascent, Opinions on Prince & Billie Eilish This week, hosts Jim DeRogatis and Greg Kot talk with Billboard VP and author Leila Cobo about her book, "Decoding Despacito," which charts the rise of Latin music in the United States. They also review Billie Eilish's new album and ...
08.04.2021 Paying tribute to the kindest Assassin known to the music world In this bonus podcast, Greg adds a song to the Desert Island Jukebox in tribute to Joe Cassidy of the band Assassins among other projects, who died suddenly at 51. Become a member on Patreon: https://bit.ly/3slWZvc

Older episodes

Sound Opinions

What's Sound Opinions about?

Download our free app to listen on your phone

Sound Opinions episodes:

Robert Finley, Opinions on Neil Young, The Weeknd & Turnstile, Plus Peter Bogdanovich

Peter Bogdanovich on Tom Petty

The Top Singles of 2021 & Greg's Mixtape

A great song by a cool band, made popular by a pop star

"Gimme Shelter" Singer Merry Clayton & Author Dawnie Walton

A '90s Nugget Gets Added to the Jukebox

Revisiting Carole King's Tapestry

A rap duo that's big in Canada, plus a TV show endorsement

Sound Opinions Holiday Spectacular with Andy Cirzan

Matt Muse Interview and Music World Obituaries

The Best Albums of 2021

When concerts turn unsafe

The Beatles Get Back, Astroworld & Concert Safety

The first American band signed to 4AD

Aimee Mann's Five Essential Albums, Opinions on Robert Plant & Alison Krauss

The story of Karen Dalton

Songs About Giving Thanks, Opinions on IDLES & Courtney Barnett

Jim remembers a lesser-known Motown diva

Buried Treasures, Opinions on ABBA & Goat Girl

A soulful cover of a spooky song

Miles Copeland of I.R.S. Records on R.E.M., The Police and More, Plus Opinions on Brandi Carlile & Parquet Courts

A Chicago band that spurred an entire genre

The Velvet Underground with Dir. Todd Haynes, Opinions on Ray BLK & illuminati hotties

More with Jimmy Jam

Ghostly Tracks & the Origins Behind Them

The Go-Go's Gina Schock on her new photobook, the Rock Hall of Fame & more

Jimmy Jam of Jam & Lewis on His Hits With Janet Jackson & New Album, Plus Shirley Manson of Garbage

Critical darlings once more

Jason Molina: His Life and Music, Plus Opinions on Mickey Guyton & Leon Bridges

Shirley Manson on Garbage's new album and her podcast

The R. Kelly Conviction with dream hampton and Jim DeRogatis & Reviews of Adia Victoria and Little Simz

The Drive-By Truckers' American South

Reviews of Low, Kacey Musgraves, Lil Nas X & More, Plus Guest Desert Island Jukebox

A band that really cooks

Pitchfork Music Festival report and more buried treasures

Buried Treasures & Tamar Aphek

Leon Bridges on honing his Gold-Diggers Sound

Glam Rocker Art d'Ecco, Opinions on Drake & Halsey

Black Girls Rock! founder Beverly Bond talks with Althea Legaspi, plus a live music update

Songs About Breaking Free, Kanye Review, RIP Lee Scratch Perry

A tribute to half of one of the greatest rock 'n roll duos ever

Yola & Charlie Watts

Richard Thompson on jamming with Led Zeppelin, getting mocked by Buck Owens and avoiding his police officer dad in 1960s London

A conversation about Aaliyah

Richard Thompson of Fairport Convention, Opinions on Naked Raygun & Amythyst Kiah

Dusty Hill, The Bearded Blues Rock Bassist and Vocalist, Remembered

Yes's Going For the One with Jon Anderson & Opinions on Tyler, the Creator

Jim is Pure as New York Snow with his Latest Desert Island Disc

Latin Music's Ascent, Opinions on Prince & Billie Eilish

Paying tribute to the kindest Assassin known to the music world

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