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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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  • 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.
  • A History Lesson from Professor DeRogatis
    In this bonus episode, Jim shares an old country cut that recounts the assassination of President James Garfield, recorded by one of the genre’s all-time greats.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.
  • 2025 Mixtape, Obituaries and Singles of the Year
    Hosts Jim DeRogatis and Greg Kot close the book on 2025 by doing a final round of obituaries, playing favorite singles and sharing a mixtape that documents the ups and downs of the year that was. Greg's MixtapeJoin 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:SPRINTS, "Something's Gonna Happen," All That Is Over, City Slang and Sub Pop, 2025The Beatles, "With A Little Help From My Friends," Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band, Parlophone, 1967The Redwalls, "It's Alright," Universal Blues, Undertow, 2003Joe Ely, "Boxcars," Honkey Tonk Masquerade, MCA, 1978The Mavericks, "There Goes My Heart," What a Crying Shame, MCA Nashville, 1994The Band, "Chest Fever," Music from Big Pink, Capitol, 1968Chappell Roan, "The Subway," (Single), Amusement, 2025Annabelle Dinda, "The Hand," (Single), Self-Released, 2025Huntrix, "Golden," KPop Demon Hunters, Republic, 2025Hayley Williams, "True Believer (Live on Tonight Show)," Ego Death at a Bachelorette Party, Post Atlantic, 2025Bad Bunny, "BAILE INoLVIDABLE," DeBÍ TiRAR MáS FOToS, Rimas, 2025MSPAINT, "Angel," No Separation, Convulse, 2025Cardi B, "Outside," Am I the Drama?, Atlantic, 2025Taylor Swift, "The Fate Of Ophelia," The Life of a Showgirl, Republic, 2025Sharon Van Etten, "Somethin' Ain't Right," Sharon Van Etten and The Attachement Theory, Jagjaguwar, 2025The Penrose Web, "I Dreamt I Woke Up Dead," It's...The Penrose Web, Fools Paradise and Gare Du Nord, 2025Peter Peter Hughes, "The End of Your Empire," Half-Staff Blues, Tired Media, 2025Mavis Staples, "Chicago," Sad and Beautiful World, Anti, 2025The Belair Lip Bombs, "Again and Again," Again, Third Man, 2025The Bug Club, "How to Be a Confidante," Very Human Features, Sub Pop, 2025Perfume Genius, "It's a Mirror," Glory, Matador, 2025Ed Kuepper and Jim White, "The 16 Days," After The Flood, Remote Control, 2025Mekons, "You're Not Singing Anymore," Horror, Fire, 2025Spinal Tap, "Tonight I'm Gonna Rock You Tonight," This Is Spinal Tap, Polydor, 1984See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
  • So Good Even Dan the Automator Left It Alone
    In this bonus episode, Greg adds a song to the Desert Island Jukebox that was arguably perfected upon its original release.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.
  • British Post-Punk Pioneers the Raincoats
    Hosts Jim DeRogatis and Greg Kot explore the music and legacy of the Raincoats, a post-punk band beloved by musicians and critics alike. Raincoats leaders Gina Burch and Ana da Silva join Jim and Greg to reflect on creating their debut album in 1979 and staying creative in the decades since. Though they never found mainstream success, the Raincoats’ sound left a deep mark on alternative music—including on one of their most famous fans, Kurt Cobain of Nirvana.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/soundopsFeatured Songs:the Raincoats, "Fairytale In The Supermarket," The Raincoats, Rough Trade, 1979The Beatles, "With A Little Help From My Friends," Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band, Parlophone, 1967Gina Birch, "Feminist Song," I Play My Bass Loud, Third Man, 2023Gina Birch, "Causing Trouble Again," Trouble, Third Man, 2025Gina Birch, "I Play My Bass Loud," I Play My Bass Loud, Third Man, 2023the Raincoats, "The Void," The Raincoats, Rough Trade, 1979the Raincoats, "In Love," The Raincoats, Rough Trade, 1979the Raincoats, "Shouting Out Loud," Odyshape, Rough Trade, 1981the Raincoats, "No One's Little Girl," Moving, Rough Trade, 1984the Raincoats, "No Side to Fall In," The Raincoats, Rough Trade, 1979the Raincoats, "Only Loved at Night," Odyshape, Rough Trade, 1981the Raincoats, "Ooh Ooh La La La," Moving, Rough Trade, 1984SPRINTS, "Something's Gonna Happen," All That Is Over, City Slang and Sub Pop, 2025See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
  • Barely Scratching the Steve Albini Surface
    In this bonus episode, Jim adds a track to the Desert Island Jukebox—one of Steve Albini’s many obscure recordings from the legendary engineer’s vast production discography.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.
  • Radiohead's Kid A 25th Anniversary Plus Malcolm McLaren
    Following up the guitar masterpiece of OK Computer, Radiohead threw the music world for a loop with Kid A. Twenty five years after its release, hosts Jim DeRogatis and Greg Kot talk with author Steven Hyden about how the album was made and its lasting impact. They also discuss the life and career of the Sex Pistols and New York Dolls manager Malcolm McLaren.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:Radiohead, "Idioteque," Kid A, Parlophone, 2000The Beatles, "With A Little Help From My Friends," Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band, Parlophone, 1967Radiohead, "How To Disappear Completely," Kid A, Parlophone, 2000Radiohead, "Subterranean Homesick Alien," OK Computer, Parlophone, 1997Travis, "Writing To Reach You," The Man Who, Independiente, 1999Autechre, "Rae," LP5, Warp, 1999Radiohead, "Fake Plastic Trees," The Bends, Parlophone, 1995Radiohead, "Everything In Its Right Place," Kid A, Parlophone, 2000Radiohead, "Kid A (Live)," Unreleased, N/A, 2001Radiohead, "Kid A," Kid A, Parlophone, 2000Radiohead, "Treefingers," Kid A, Parlophone, 2000Radiohead, "The National Anthem (Live)," Unreleased, N/A, 2001Radiohead, "15 Step," In Rainbows, Parlophone, 2007Radiohead, "The National Anthem," Kid A, Parlophone, 2000Sex Pistols, "Anarchy In the U.K.," Never Mind the Bullocks, Here's the Sex Pistols, Virgin, 1977Sex Pistols, "God Save the Queen," Never Mind the Bullocks, Here's the Sex Pistols, Virgin, 1977Sex Pistols, "Pretty Vacant," Never Mind the Bullocks, Here's the Sex Pistols, Virgin, 1977Bow Wow Wow, "I Want Candy," The Last of the Mohicans, RCA, 1982Malcolm McLaren, "Buffalo Gals," Duck Rock, Virgin, 1983The Raincoats, "Lola," The Raincoats, Rough Trade, 1979See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
  • RIP Joe Ely
    In this bonus episode, Greg adds a song to the desert island jukebox to honor one of the great West Texas rockers, Joe Ely, who died on December 15, 2025.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.
  • Jeff Tweedy on "Twlight Override"
    Hosts Jim DeRogatis and Greg Kot welcome Jeff Tweedy of Wilco for a wide-ranging discussion about his solo album "Twilight Override" and other aspects of Tweedy's long and storied career.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:Jeff Tweedy, "Lou Reed Was My Babysitter," Twilight Override, dBpm, 2025The Beatles, "With A Little Help From My Friends," Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band, Parlophone, 1967Jeff Tweedy, "Feel Free," Twilight Override, dBpm, 2025Jeff Tweedy, "One Tiny Flower," Twilight Override, dBpm, 2025Jeff Tweedy, "Parking Lot," Twilight Override, dBpm, 2025Jeff Tweedy, "Cry Baby Cry," Twilight Override, dBpm, 2025Jeff Tweedy, "Blank Baby," Twilight Override, dBpm, 2025The Velvet Underground, "Rock & Roll," Loaded, Cotilion, 1970Billy Bragg & Wilco, "Walt Whitman's Niece," Mermaid Avenue, Elektra, 1998Billy Bragg & Wilco, "California Stars," Mermaid Avenue, Elektra, 1998Billy Bragg & Wilco, "All You Fascists," Mermaid Avenue Volume II, Elektra, 2000Jeff Tweedy, "No One's Moving On," Twilight Override, dBpm, 2025Jeff Tweedy, "Enough," Twilight Override, dBpm, 2025Radiohead, "Everything In Its Right Place," Kid A, Parlophone, 2000See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
  • A Psychedelic Shoegaze Duo from Mexico
    In this bonus episode, Jim reflects on his introduction to Mexican shoegaze through a newly discovered duo with a meaty discography.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.
  • Sound Opinions' Holiday Spectacular 2025
    This week, hosts Jim DeRogatis and Greg Kot welcome Andy Cirzan, their favorite collector of rare holiday music, for their annual celebration of unexpected holiday deep cuts.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.