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Sound Opinions
Saturdays 7 PM, Mondays 12 AM

You can make discoveries, debate, learn about pop culture, engage, have fun and find new ways to further enrich your lives through music.

Whether you're an expert, or just a casual fan, Sound Opinions is your source for smart and engaging music criticism and conversation. Each week on the show, nationally respected rock critics Greg Kot and Jim DeRogatis interview artists, talk about pop culture and music industry news, review new record releases and give trends a historical context. And, because on Sound Opinions, "everyone's a critic," listeners are invited to join in the debate.

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  • Reconsidering Late R.E.M.
    Hosts Jim DeRogatis and Greg Kot discuss the music, history and legacy of R.E.M. with biographer Peter Ames Carlin. The hosts share their own personal experiences covering the band over the years.Join our Facebook Group: https://bit.ly/3sivr9TBecome a member on Patreon: https://bit.ly/3slWZvcSign up for our newsletter: https://bit.ly/3eEvRnGMake a donation via PayPal: https://bit.ly/3dmt9lUSend us a Voice Memo: Desktop: bit.ly/2RyD5Ah Mobile: sayhi.chat/soundops Featured Songs:R.E.M., "Losing My Religion," Out of Time, Warner Bros., 1991The Beatles, "With A Little Help From My Friends," Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band, Parlophone, 1967R.E.M., "It's the End of the World As We Know It (And I Feel Fine)," Document, I.R.S., 1987R.E.M., "Orange Crush," Green, Warner Bros., 1988R.E.M., "The One I Love," Document, I.R.S., 1987R.E.M., "Radio Free Europe," Murmur, I.R.S., 1983R.E.M., "Begin the Begin," Lifes Rich Pageant, I.R.S., 1986R.E.M., "Low," Out of Time, Warner Bros., 1991R.E.M., "Bittersweet Me," New Adventures in Hi-Fi, Warner Bros., 1996R.E.M., "Everybody Hurts," Automatic for the People, Warner Bros., 1992R.E.M., "Imitation of Life," Reveal, Warner Bros., 2001R.E.M., "Shiny Happy People," Out of Time, Warner Bros., 1991R.E.M., "Strange Currencies," Monster, Warner Bros., 1994R.E.M., "What's the Frequency, Kenneth?," Monster, Warner Bros., 1994R.E.M., "Man on the Moon," Automatic for the People, Warner Bros., 1992Beach Bunny, "Big Pink Bubble (Live on Sound Opinions)," Tunnel Vision, AWAL, 2025See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
  • A Debut Album Decades Later
    In this bonus episode, Greg shares a track by songwriter and friend Chrissie Dickinson, whose band didn’t release its debut album until after her death.Join our Facebook Group: https://bit.ly/3sivr9TBecome a member on Patreon: https://bit.ly/3slWZvcSign up for our newsletter: https://bit.ly/3eEvRnGMake a donation via PayPal: https://bit.ly/3dmt9lUSend us a Voice Memo: Desktop: bit.ly/2RyD5Ah Mobile: sayhi.chat/soundopsSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
  • Modern Protest Songs
    Hosts Jim DeRogatis and Greg Kot curate a selection of songs by artists responding to the current political moment. The hosts also hear selections from the production staff.Join our Facebook Group: https://bit.ly/3sivr9TBecome a member on Patreon: https://bit.ly/3slWZvcSign up for our newsletter: https://bit.ly/3eEvRnGMake a donation via PayPal: https://bit.ly/3dmt9lUSend us a Voice Memo: Desktop: bit.ly/2RyD5Ah Mobile: sayhi.chat/soundops Featured Songs:Bruce Springsteen, "Streets of Minneapolis," Streets of Minneapolis (Single), Columbia, 2026The Beatles, "With A Little Help From My Friends," Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band, Parlophone, 1967Billy Bragg, "City of Heroes," City of Heroes (Single), Self-Released, 2026Dropkick Murphys, "Who'll Stand With Us," For The People, Dummy Luck, 2025Low Cut Connie, "Livin in the USA," Livin in the USA, Contender, 2026The Neighborhood Kids, "Breaking News," Breaking News (Single), Self-Released, 2026Amy Grant, "The Sixth of January (Yasgur's Farm)," The Sixth of January (Yasgur's Farm) (Single), Thirty Tigers, 2026Carsie Blanton, "Little Flame," Red Album II, Self-Released, 2025Jesse Welles, "No Kings (feat. Joan Baez)," No Kings (feat. Joan Baez) (Single), self-released, 2025Dessa, "Camelot," Camelot (Single), Doomtree, 2025She'll Hunt, "Banning Books," Banning Books (Single), self-released, 2025Smoking Popes, "Allegiance (feat. Scott Lucas)," Allegiance (feat. Scott Lucas) (Single), self-released, 2025Seb Lowe, "Here Come The Aliens!," Here Come The Aliens! (Single), self-released, 2025Bad Bunny, "LO QUE LE PASÓ A HAWAii," DeBÍ TiRAR MáS FOToS, Rimas, 2025Propagandhi, "No Longer Young," At Peace, Epitaph, 2025Kimmortal, "Stop Business As Usual PART 2," Stop Business As Usual PART 2 (Single), self-released, 2024Fishbone, "Last Call in America," Stockholm Syndrome, self-released, 2025The Cars, "Bye Bye Love," The Cars, Elektra, 1978Eddie Vedder, "Hard Sun," Into the Wild, J, 2007Turnstile, "Look Out for Me," Never Enough, Roadrunner, 2025Geese, "Au Pays du Cocaine," Getting Killed, Partisan, 2025R.E.M., "Little America," Reckoning, I.R.S., 1984See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
  • A Song from a Band That Isn't Real (But Should Be)
    In this bonus episode, Jim shares a song from a film that Courtney Love once called the best movie ever made.Join our Facebook Group: https://bit.ly/3sivr9TBecome a member on Patreon: https://bit.ly/3slWZvcSign up for our newsletter: https://bit.ly/3eEvRnGMake a donation via PayPal: https://bit.ly/3dmt9lUSend us a Voice Memo: Desktop: bit.ly/2RyD5Ah Mobile: sayhi.chat/soundopsSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
  • Radio DJ Mary Lucia & Opinions on Lucinda Williams
    Hosts Jim DeRogatis and Greg Kot talk with Twin Cities DIJ Mary Lucia about her memoir. They discuss interviewing artists, her eccentric family and her harrowing experience being stalked by a fan. They also review the new album from Lucinda Williams. Join our Facebook Group: https://bit.ly/3sivr9TBecome a member on Patreon: https://bit.ly/3slWZvcSign up for our newsletter: https://bit.ly/3eEvRnGMake a donation via PayPal: https://bit.ly/3dmt9lUSend us a Voice Memo: Desktop: bit.ly/2RyD5Ah Mobile: sayhi.chat/soundops Featured Songs:The Replacements, "Left of the Dial," Tim, Sire, 1985The Beatles, "With A Little Help From My Friends," Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band, Parlophone, 1967Lucinda Williams, "The World's Gone Wrong (featuring Brittney Spencer)," World's Gone Wrong, Highway 20, 2026Lucinda Williams, "Sing Unburied Sing," World's Gone Wrong, Highway 20, 2026Lucinda Williams, "So Much Trouble in the World (featuring Mavis Staples)," World's Gone Wrong, Highway 20, 2026Lucinda Williams, "How Much Did You Get for Your Soul?," World's Gone Wrong, Highway 20, 2026Oasis, "Champagne Supernova," (What's the Story) Morning Glory?, Creation, 1995Jake Bugg, "Lightning Bolt," Jake Bugg, Mercury, 2012Slade, "Mama Weer All Crazee Now," Slayed?, Polydor, 1972Prince and the Revolution, "Purple Rain," Purple Rain, Warner Bros., 1984Elastica, "Stutter," Elastica, Geffen, 1995Bruce Springsteen, "Streets of Minneapolis," Streets of Minneapolis (Single), Columbia, 2026See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
  • A Halloween Holdover
    In this bonus episode, Greg shares a track from the scariest artist he's ever covered as a journalist.Join our Facebook Group: https://bit.ly/3sivr9TBecome a member on Patreon: https://bit.ly/3slWZvcSign up for our newsletter: https://bit.ly/3eEvRnGMake a donation via PayPal: https://bit.ly/3dmt9lUSend us a Voice Memo: Desktop: bit.ly/2RyD5Ah Mobile: sayhi.chat/soundopsSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
  • New Buried Treasures
    Hosts Jim DeRogatis and Greg Kot share a fresh batch of songs that deserve more attention- what they call "buried treasures." They also hear picks from their production staff.Join our Facebook Group: https://bit.ly/3sivr9TBecome a member on Patreon: https://bit.ly/3slWZvcSign up for our newsletter: https://bit.ly/3eEvRnGMake a donation via PayPal: https://bit.ly/3dmt9lUSend us a Voice Memo: Desktop: bit.ly/2RyD5Ah Mobile: sayhi.chat/soundops Featured Songs:Annie and the Caldwells, "Wrong (feat. Deborah Caldwell Moore)," Can't Lose My (Soul), Luaka Bop, 2025The Beatles, "With A Little Help From My Friends," Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band, Parlophone, 1967Joyce Manor, "I Know Where Mark Chen Lives," I Used to Go to this Bar, Epitaph, 2026The Long Ryders, "Four Winters Away," High Noon Hymns, Cherry Red, 2026Amateur Hour, "Stad I Ljus," Går I Kras, Appetite, 2025Girl Scout, "Operator," Operator (Single), AWAL, 2026The Eye Captain, "Jane and Milo in the Afterglow," Jane and Milo in the Afterglow, Self Released, 2025Magic Castles, "Death Dreams," The Lore Of Mysticore, Dust and Memory, 2025Scout Gillett, "Too Fast To Last," Tough Touch, Slouch, 2026Orchestra Gold, "Diyanye Ko," Dakan, Self Released, 2025Jason P Woodbury, "Get To Meet Them," Jason P. Woodbury & The Night Bird Singing Quartet, Always Happening, 2026Yoni Mayraz, "Sonic Youth," Dogs Bark Babies Cry, PPK, 2025Gran Moreno, "Aztlan," El Sol, Self Released, 2026Deathcat, "Dreamgrl," Dreamgrl, Sockhead, 2025Brad Mehldau, "Exit Music," Songs: The Art of the Trio, Vol. 3, Warner Bros., 1998Clipse, "All Things Considered," Let God Sort Em Out, Roc Nation, 2025The Replacements, "Left of the Dial," Tim, Sire, 1985See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
  • Happy Belated Winter Solstice!
    In this bonus episode, Jim pays tribute to one of his all-time favorite artists—and his Pagan friends back in Minneapolis.Join our Facebook Group: https://bit.ly/3sivr9TBecome a member on Patreon: https://bit.ly/3slWZvcSign up for our newsletter: https://bit.ly/3eEvRnGMake a donation via PayPal: https://bit.ly/3dmt9lUSend us a Voice Memo: Desktop: bit.ly/2RyD5Ah Mobile: sayhi.chat/soundopsSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
  • Phil Manzanera (Roxy Music) & RIP Bob Weir
    This week, hosts Jim DeRogatis and Greg Kot talk with Phil Manzanera, the guitarist behind Roxy Music and a prolific record producer whose career spans more than five decades. The hosts also pay tribute to Bob Weir of Grateful Dead.Join our Facebook Group: https://bit.ly/3sivr9TBecome a member on Patreon: https://bit.ly/3slWZvcSign up for our newsletter: https://bit.ly/3eEvRnGMake a donation via PayPal: https://bit.ly/3dmt9lUSend us a Voice Memo: Desktop: bit.ly/2RyD5Ah Mobile: sayhi.chat/soundops Featured Songs:Roxy Music, "If There Is Something," Roxy Music, Island and Reprise, 1972The Grateful Dead, "Sugar Magnolia," American Beauty, Warner Bros., 1970Bob Weir, "Cassidy," Ace, Warner Bros., 1972Roxy Music, "Re-Make/Re-Model," Roxy Music, Island and Reprise, 1972Roxy Music, "The Thrill of it All," Country Life, Island and ATCO, 1974Roxy Music, "Amazona," Stranded, Island and ATCO, 1973Roxy Music, "Do the Strand," For Your Pleasure, Island and Warner Bros., 1973Phil Manzanera, "Big Day," Diamond Head, Island and ATCO, 1975Roxy Music, "Both Ends Burning," Siren, Island and ATCO, 1975Phil Manzanera, Andy Mackay, "Ambulante - Live," AM.PM Soho Live, Expression, 2025Aterciopelados, "Baracunatana," La Pipa de la Paz, RCA, 1996Jason P. Woodbury & The Night Bird Singing Quartet, "Get To Meet Them," (Single), Always Happening, 2025See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
  • A Jazz Primer for Rock Fans
    In this bonus episode, Greg shares a track by one jazz legend paying tribute to another.Join our Facebook Group: https://bit.ly/3sivr9TBecome a member on Patreon: https://bit.ly/3slWZvcSign up for our newsletter: https://bit.ly/3eEvRnGMake a donation via PayPal: https://bit.ly/3dmt9lUSend us a Voice Memo: Desktop: bit.ly/2RyD5Ah Mobile: sayhi.chat/soundopsSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
  • RIP Bob Weir of the Grateful Dead
    In this bonus episode, Greg pays tribute to Bob Weir of the Grateful Dead, the innovative rhythm guitarist and co-founder who helped shape American rock and improvisational music. Weir died on January 10, 2026, at the age of 78.Join our Facebook Group: https://bit.ly/3sivr9TBecome a member on Patreon: https://bit.ly/3slWZvcSign up for our newsletter: https://bit.ly/3eEvRnGMake a donation via PayPal: https://bit.ly/3dmt9lUSend us a Voice Memo: Desktop: bit.ly/2RyD5Ah Mobile: sayhi.chat/soundopsSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
  • R.I.P. Rob Reiner, Opinions on Lily Allen & Dry Cleaning
    In December of 2025, the world tragically lost actor and filmmaker Rob Reiner. This week, hosts Jim DeRogatis and Greg Kot pay tribute to him by revisiting their 2014 interview in which they discuss This Is Spinal Tap, films, music and more. They also review new music from Lily Allen and Dry Cleaning.Join our Facebook Group: https://bit.ly/3sivr9TBecome a member on Patreon: https://bit.ly/3slWZvcSign up for our newsletter: https://bit.ly/3eEvRnGMake a donation via PayPal: https://bit.ly/3dmt9lUSend us a Voice Memo: Desktop: bit.ly/2RyD5Ah Mobile: sayhi.chat/soundops Featured Songs:Spinal Tap, "Tonight I'm Gonna Rock You Tonight," This Is Spinal Tap, Polydor, 1984Dry Cleaning, "Hit My Head All Day," Secret Love, 4AD, 2026Dry Cleaning, "Rocks," Secret Love, 4AD, 2026Dry Cleaning, "Blood," Secret Love, 4AD, 2026Lily Allen, "West End Girl," West End Girl, BMG, 2025Lily Allen, "Madeline," West End Girl, BMG, 2025Lily Allen, "Just Enough," West End Girl, BMG, 2025Spinal Tap, "Rock and Roll Creation," This Is Spinal Tap, Polydor, 1984Spinal Tap, "Cups and Cakes," This Is Spinal Tap, Polydor, 1984Spinal Tap, "Gimme Some Money," This Is Spinal Tap, Polydor, 1984Spinal Tap, "Big Bottom," This Is Spinal Tap, Polydor, 1984Black Sabbath, "Black Sabbath," Black Sabbath, Vertigo, 1970Spinal Tap, "Head Hole," This Is Spinal Tap, Polydor, 1984Roxy Music, "If There Is Something," Roxy Music, Island and Reprise, 1972See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.