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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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  • Tariq "Black Thought" Trotter of The Roots & Opinions on Heems & Lapgan
    This week hosts Jim DeRogatis and Greg Kot interview Tariq "Black Thought" Trotter of The Roots about his memoir. The hosts also review the new album from Das Racist rapper Heems.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 Roots, "You Got Me (feat. Erykah Badu & Eve)," Things Fall Apart, MCA, 1999The Beatles, "With A Little Help From My Friends," Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band, Parlophone, 1967Heems & Lapgan, "I'm Pretty Cool," Lafandar, Veena, Mass Appeal India, 2024Das Racist, "Combination Pizza Hut and Taco Bell," Shut Up, Dude, Greedhead, Mishka, 2010Heems & Lapgan, "Accent," Lafandar, Veena, Mass Appeal India, 2024Heems & Lapgan, "Porches," Lafandar, Veena, Mass Appeal India, 2024Heems & Lapgan, "Obi Toppin (Darling)," Lafandar, Veena, Mass Appeal India, 2024Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Five, "The Message," The Message, Sugar Hill, 1982Run-DMC, "My Adidas," Raising Hell, Profile, 1986El Michels Affair & Black Thought, "Protocol (feat. Son Little)," Glorious Game, Big Crown, 2023The Roots, "The Roots is Comin'," Organix!, Self-Released, 1993George Benson, "Give Me The Night," Give Me The Night, Qwest, 1980The Jacksons, "We Can Change The World," Victory, Epic, 1984Gene Chandler, "Duke of Earl," Duke of Earl (Single), Vee-Jay, 1961Brian Eno, "Taking Tiger Mountain," Taking Tiger Mountain (By Strategy), Island, 1974See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
  • The Song That Helped Introduce Japan To Rock & Roll
    In this bonus episode, Greg adds two versions of a surprising song to the Desert Island Jukebox. It was the first rock & roll song to chart in Japan and a later version involved members of The Clash.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.
  • Karaoke Songs, Opinions on Grandaddy & RIP Dexter Romweber
    This week, hosts Jim DeRogatis and Greg Kot take the show out of the recording studio and into the karaoke bar as they share some of their favorite karaoke tracks. They’ll also hear selections from production staff and listeners. Plus, the hosts review new music from Grandaddy and bid farewell to the late rockabilly musician Dexter Romweber.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:Carly Rae Jepsen, "Call Me Maybe," Kiss, 604, 2012The Beatles, "With A Little Help From My Friends," Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band, Parlophone, 1967Grandaddy, "Blu Wav," Blu Wav, Dangerbird, 2024Grandaddy, "You're Going to Be Fine and I'm Going to Hell," Blu Wav, Dangerbird, 2024Grandaddy, "Jukebox App," Blu Wav, Dangerbird, 2024Grandaddy, "Ducky, Boris and Dart," Blu Wav, Dangerbird, 2024Johnny Cash and June Carter Cash, "Jackson," Carryin' On with Johnny Cash & June Carter, Columbia, 1967*NSYNC, "It Makes Me Ill," No Strings Attached, Jive, 2000Shania Twain, "Man! I Feel Like a Woman!," Come On Over, Mercury, 1997Donny Osmond & Chorus, "I'll Make a Man Out of You," Mulan: An Original Walt Disney Records Soundtrack, Walt Disney, 1998Art Brut, "Formed a Band," Bang Bang Rock & Roll, Fierce Panda, 2005Joey Scarbury, "Theme from The Greatest American Hero (Believe It or Not)," America's Greatest Hero, Elektra, 1981The 5th Dimension, "Wedding Bell Blues," The Age of Aquarius, Soul City, 1969Kenny Rogers, "Islands In the Stream (duet with Dolly Parton)," Eyes That See in the Dark, RCA Victor, 1983The Rocky Horror Picture Show Original Cast , "Rose Tint My World (feat. Richard O'Brien)," The Rocky Horror Picture Show, Ode, 1975Regulo Caro, "En Estos Días," En Estos Días, Del, 2018Beyoncé, "Single Ladies (Put a Ring on It)," I Am...Sasha Fierce, Columbia, 2008Radiohead, "Creep," Pablo Honey, Parlophone, 1992Backstreet Boys, "I Want it That Way," Millennium, Jive, 1999Prince, "When Doves Cry," Purple Rain, Warner Bros., 1984Flat Duo Jets, "Frog Went a Courtin'," Go Go Harlem Baby, Sky, 1991Flat Duo Jets, "Riot In Cell Block Number Nine," In Stereo, Dolphin, 1985The Roots, "You Got Me (feat. Erykah Badu & Eve)," Things Fall Apart, MCA, 1999See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
  • The First Heavy Metal?
    In this bonus episode, Jim adds a song to the Desert Island Jukebox that can make a solid claim to being from the first "heavy metal" band. Become 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/soundopsJoin our Facebook Group: https://bit.ly/3sivr9TSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
  • Louise Post (Veruca Salt) & Opinions on Idles & Mary Timony
    Host Jim DeRogatis talks with Chicago alt-rock legend, Louise Post, a guitarist, singer, and cofounder of the band Veruca Salt. The hosts also review new albums from post-punk Brits IDLES and guitar master Mary Timony.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:Louise Post, "Guilty," Sleepwalker, El Camino, 2023The Beatles, "With A Little Help From My Friends," Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band, Parlophone, 1967Idles, "Dancer," Tangk, Partisan, 2024Idles, "Grace," Tangk, Partisan, 2024Idles, "Hall & Oates," Tangk, Partisan, 2024Mary Timony, "Looking for the Sun," Untame the Tiger, Merge, 2024Mary Timony, "No Thirds," Untame the Tiger, Merge, 2024Mary Timony, "The Guest," Untame the Tiger, Merge, 2024Mary Timony, "Dominoes," Untame the Tiger, Merge, 2024Veruca Salt, "Seether," American Thighs, Minty Fresh, 1994Louise Post, "What About," Sleepwalker, El Camino, 2023VEYLS, "Life Support," Widow EP, Velveteen, 2023Louise Post, "Killer," Sleepwalker, El Camino, 2023Louise Post, "God I Know," Sleepwalker, El Camino, 2023Gwyneth Paltrow and Huey Lewis, "Cruisin'," Duets: Original Soundtrack, Hollywood, 2000See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
  • RIP Damo Suzuki
    In this bonus episode, we pay tribute to Damo Suzuki of Can, who died February 9 at age 74.Become 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/soundopsJoin our Facebook Group: https://bit.ly/3sivr9TSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
  • RIP Wayne Kramer of the MC5 & Opinions on Brittany Howard
    This week, hosts Jim DeRogatis and Greg Kot pay tribute to the late singer, songwriter and guitarist Wayne Kramer of the MC5. They’ll revisit their past interview with him and talk about his life, music and the power of collaboration. Plus, the hosts will review the new album from Brittany Howard.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 MC5, "Kick Out the Jams," Kick Out the Jams, Elektra, 1969The Beatles, "With A Little Help From My Friends," Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band, Parlophone, 1967Brittany Howard, "What Now," What Now, Island, 2024Brittany Howard, "Another Day," What Now, Island, 2024Brittany Howard, "Prove It To You," What Now, Island, 2024Brittany Howard, "To Be Still," What Now, Island, 2024MC5, "Motor City Is Burning," Kick Out the James, Elektra, 1969MC5, "Ramblin' Rose," Kick Out the James, Elektra, 1969MC5, "The American Ruse," Back in the USA, Atlantic, 1970MC5, "Rocket Reducer N. 62 (Rama Lama Fa Fa Fa)," Kick Out the James, Elektra, 1969MC5, "Gotta Keep Movin'," Back in the USA, Atlantic, 1970MC5, "Sister Anne," High Time, Atlantic, 1971Wayne Kramer, "Poison," The Hard Stuff, Epitaph, 1995MC5, "Starship," Kick Out the James, Elektra, 1969The Stooges, "Search and Destroy," Raw Power, Columbia, 1973Ted Nugent, "Cat Scratch Fever," Cat Scratch Fever, Epic, 1977Wayne Kramer, "Crack in the Universe," The Hard Stuff, Epitaph, 1995MC5, "Looking At You," Back in the USA, Atlantic, 1970MC5, "Future/Now," High Time, Atlantic, 1971MC5, "Let Me Try," Back in the USA, Atlantic, 1970Louise Post, "Don't Give Up," Sleepwalker, El Camino, 2023See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
  • RIP Mojo Nixon
    In this bonus episode we pay tribute to Mojo Nixon (Neill Kirby McMillan Jr.), a consummate showman with a love for the working class, who died February 7. Become 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/soundopsJoin our Facebook Group: https://bit.ly/3sivr9TSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
  • Give the Drummer Some
    What role do drums play in Rock? Should that be keeping the beat or leading from the front? Who are some of the greatest drummers in rock music? The beat goes on as Jim DeRogatis and Greg Kot focus on the contributions of drummers to rock music with drummer Joe Wong. Wong also hosts a podcast on drummers called The Trap Set. There's also an interview with Bernard Purdie.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 Beatles, "Come Together," Abbey Road, Apple, 1969The Beatles, "With A Little Help From My Friends," Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band, Parlophone, 1967James Brown, "Funky Drummer," Funky Drummer (single), King, 1970Wild Flag, "Romance," Wild Flag, Merge, 2011Little Richard And His Band, "Heeby-Jeebies," She's Got It (single), Specialty, 1956Michael Jackson, "Billie Jean," Thriller, Epic, 1982Earth Wind and Fire, "Can't Hide Love," Gratitude, Columbia, 1975Rush, "Tom Sawyer," Moving Pictures, Mercury, 1981Elvin Jones, "Agappe Love," Poly-Currents, Blue Note, 1970The Rolling Stones, "Paint It Black," Paint It Black (single), Decca, 1966Battles, "Atlas," Mirrored, Warp, 2007Can, "Paperhouse," Tago Mago, United Artists, 1971The Who, "Young Man Blues," Live at Leeds, Decca, 1970The Who, "I Can See For Miles," I Can See For Miles (single), Track, 1967Dennis Coffey, "Scorpio," Evolution, Sussex, 1971Queen, "Fat Bottomed Girls," Jazz, EMI, 1978Violent Femmes, "Blister In the Sun," Blister in the Sun (single), Slash, 1983Phil Collins, "In The Air Tonight," Face Value, Virgin, 1981Fela Kuti, "Zombie," Zombie, Coconut, 1976Aretha Franklin, "Rock Steady," Rock Steady (single), Atlantic, 1971Led Zeppelin, "Rock and Roll," Led Zepplin IV, Atlantic, 1971Led Zeppelin, "Dazed and Confused," Led Zeppelin, Atlantic, 1969Led Zeppelin, "Stairway To Heaven," Led Zepplin IV, Atlantic, 1971Public Image Ltd., "Under the House," The Flowers of Romance, Virgin, 1981Led Zeppelin, "When the Levee Breaks," Led Zeppelin IV, Atlantic, 1971Sleater-Kinney, "Youth Decay," All Hands on the Bad One, Kill Rock Stars, 2000XTC, "Senses Working Overtime," English Settlement, Virgin, 1982James Brown, "I Got the Feelin'," I Got the Feelin', King, 1968Rolling Stones, "Honky Tonk Woman," Honky Tonk Woman (Single), Decca, 1969The Stairsteps, "O-o-h Child," O-o-h Child (single), Buddah, 1970Doris Troy, "Just One Look," Just One Look (single), Atlantic, 1963Gil Scott-Heron, "The Revolution Will Not Be Televised," The Revolution Will Not Be Televised, Flying Dutchman, 1974The Exciters, "Tell Him," Tell Him (single), United Artists, 1962Melvin Bliss, "Synthetic Substitution," Reward (single), Sunburst, 1973Public Enemy, "Don't Believe The Hype," It Takes a Nation Of Millions To Hold Us Back, Def Jam, 1988Ultra Magnetic M.C.s, "Ego Trippin'," Ego Trippin' (single), Next Plateau, 1986Naughty By Nature, "O.P.P. (instrumental version)," O.P.P. (single), Tommy Boy, 1991EPMD, "I'm Housin'," Strictly Business, Fresh, 1988Wale, "Lacefrontin'," The Eleven One Eleven Theory, Maybach Music, 2011Steely Dan, "Home At Last," Aja, ABC, 1977The MC5, "Kick Out the Jams," Kick Out the Jams, Elektra, 1969See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
  • RIP Mary Weiss of the Shangri-Las
    In this bonus episode we pay tribute to Mary Weiss, the leader of the Shangri-Las, who died in January. Become 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/soundopsJoin our Facebook Group: https://bit.ly/3sivr9TSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
  • Songs About Getting Away on Vacation & Opinions on Kali Uchis
    Hosts Jim DeRogatis and Greg Kot are taking a sonic vacation from another dreary winter by sharing their favorite songs about getting away! They also hear selections from the production staff and they review the new record from Kali Uchis.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:Lenny Kravitz, "Fly Away," 5, Virgin, 1998The Beatles, "With A Little Help From My Friends," Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band, Parlophone, 1967Kali Uchis, "¿Cómo Así?," Orquídeas, Geffen, 2024Kali Uchis, "Me Pongo Loca," Orquídeas, Geffen, 2024Kali Uchis, "Pensamientos Intrusivos," Orquídeas, Geffen, 2024Kali Uchis, "Igual Que Un Ángel," Orquídeas, Geffen, 2024Weezer, "Island in the Sun," Weezer (Green Album), Geffen, 2001The Ventures, "Hawaii Five-O," Hawaii Five-O, Liberty, 1969The Beginning of the End, "Funky Nassau Pt. 1," Funky Nassau, Alston, 1971Guided By Voices, "Motor Away," Alien Lanes, Matador, 1995Amyl and the Sniffers, "Hertz," Comfort to Me, B2B, 2021Willie Nelson, "On the Road Again," Honeysuckle Rose, Columbia, 1980Pink Floyd, "Point Me at the Sky," Point Me at the Sky (Single), EMI, 1968Joni Mitchell, "Free Man in Paris," Court and Spark, Asylum, 1974Jonathan Richman & The Modern Lovers, "I Love Hot Nights," Modern Lovers 88, Rounder, 1988Big Star, "The India Song," #1 Record, Ardent, 1972Ronnie Spector & The E Street Band, "Say Goodbye To Hollywood," Say Goodbye To Hollywood (Single), Epic, 1977Summer Salt, "Driving to Hawaii," Driving to Hawaii, Cherry Lime, 2014Kraftwerk, "Europe Endless," Trans-Europe Express, Capitol, 1977Bronski Beat, "Small Town Boy," The Age of Consent, London, 1984A Tribe Called Quest, "I Left My Wallet in El Segundo," People's Instinctive Travels and the Paths of Rhythm, Jive, 1990Rihanna, "Desperado," Anti, Westbury Road, 2016The B-52's, "Roam," Cosmic Thing, Reprise, 1989Eleanor Friedberger, "It's Hard," Rebound, French Kiss, 2018James Brown, "Funky Drummer (Pt. 1 & 2)," Funky Drummer (Single), King, 1970See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
  • Riot Grrrl-Adjacent From 1993
    In this bonus episode, Jim adds a song to the Desert Island Jukebox that a rock critic colleague just rediscovered on "a CD odyssey."Become 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/soundopsJoin our Facebook Group: https://bit.ly/3sivr9TSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.