Hazy guitars, buried vocals and walls of distortion– the shoegaze sound may have peaked in the '90s, but it never really went away. This week, hosts Jim DeRogatis and Greg Kot highlight some of the genre's pioneers along with more recent favorites. The hosts also hear picks 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/4frcVZoMake a donation via PayPal: https://bit.ly/3dmt9lUSend us a Voice Memo: Desktop: bit.ly/2RyD5Ah Mobile: sayhi.chat/soundops Featured Songs:Lowtide, "Elizabeth Tower," Southern Mind, Rice Is Nice, Opposite Number, 2018The Beatles, "With a Little Help from My Friends," Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band, Parlophone, 1967My Bloody Valentine, "Only Shallow," Loveless, Creation, 1991Slowdive, "Slowdive," Slowdive (EP), Creation, 1990Ride, "Dreams Burn Down," Nowhere, Sire, 1990Lush, "De-Luxe," Gala, 4AD, 1990Spiritualized, "Shine a Light," Lazer Guided Melodies, RCA, 1992Catherine Wheel, "Black Metallic," Ferment, Fontana, 1992Starflyer 59, "Do You Ever Feel That Way," Gold, Tooth and Nail, 1995Los Mundos, "Explosión Sónica," Máquinas En Movimiento, Las Dunas, 2024Soft Science, "Undone," Maps, Test Pattern, 2018Winter, "Hide-A-Lullaby," Adult Romantix, Winspear, 2025This Will Destroy You, "Little Smoke," Tunnel Blanket, Monotreme, 2011Deafheaven, "Sunbather," Sunbather, Deathwish, 2013Slow Crush, "Cherry," Thirst, Pure Noise, 2025Pink Frost, "Striking Violet," Gargoyle Days, Notes and Bolts, 2012Courtney Barnett, "Pedestrian at Best," Sometimes I Sit and Think, and Sometimes I Just Sit, Marathon Artists, 2015See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

In this bonus episode, Greg pays tribute to Jeff “Monoman” Conolly, the garage-rock pioneer and leader of Lyres, who died July 31, 2026, at the age of 69.Join our Facebook Group: https://bit.ly/3sivr9TBecome a member on Patreon: https://bit.ly/3slWZvcSign up for our newsletter: https://www.patreon.com/collection/2136865Make 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.

To celebrate Buddy Guy's recent 90th birthday, hosts Jim DeRogatis and Greg Kot re-air their 2007 with the blues legend. They'll also give an update on what he's been up to and share some of their favorite Buddy Guy tracks.Join our Facebook Group: https://bit.ly/3sivr9TBecome a member on Patreon: https://bit.ly/3slWZvcSign up for our newsletter: https://bit.ly/4frcVZoMake a donation via PayPal: https://bit.ly/3dmt9lUSend us a Voice Memo: Desktop: bit.ly/2RyD5Ah Mobile: sayhi.chat/soundops Featured Songs:Buddy Guy, "First Time I Met the Blues," First Time I Met the Blues (Single), Chess, 1960The Beatles, "With a Little Help from My Friends," Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band, Parlophone, 1967Buddy Guy, "What Kind of Woman Is This," Bring 'Em In, Jive and Silvertone, 2005Buddy Guy, "Louise McGhee (Live on Sound Opinions)," Blues Singer, Silvertone, 2003Buddy Guy & Junior Wells, "Sweet Home Chicago," Play the Blues, Atlantic, 1972Junior Wells, "Good Morning Little Schoolgirl (Live on Sound Opinions)," Hoodoo Man Blues, Delmark, 1965Buddy Guy, "Done Got Old (Live on Sound Opinions)," Sweat Tea, Jive and Silvertone, 2001Buddy Guy, "Let Me Love You Baby," Let Me Love You Baby (Single), Chess, 1961Buddy Guy, "Stone Crazy," Stone Crazy (Single), Chess, 1961Little Brother Montgomery, "The First Time I Met the Blues," The First Time I Met The Blues, Blues Interactions, 1998Buddy Guy, "Born To Play Guitar," Born to Play Guitar, RCA, 2015Buddy Guy, "Baby Please Don't Leave Me," Sweat Tea, Jive and Silvertone, 2001My Bloody Valentine, "Only Shallow," Loveless, Creation, 1991See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

In this bonus episode, Jim shares a song that ties back to his childhood fascination with the Alamo.Join our Facebook Group: https://bit.ly/3sivr9TBecome a member on Patreon: https://bit.ly/3slWZvcSign up for our newsletter: https://www.patreon.com/collection/2136865Make 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.

This week, hosts Jim DeRogatis and Greg Kot talk with author Erin Osmon about her new book on "heartland rock." She argues that artists like John Mellencamp and Tom Petty filled stadiums in the 1980s, but also pushed back against the politics of the Reagan era. The hosts also pay tribute to Irish troubadour Glen Hansard.Join our Facebook Group: https://bit.ly/3sivr9TBecome a member on Patreon: https://bit.ly/3slWZvcSign up for our newsletter: https://bit.ly/4frcVZoMake a donation via PayPal: https://bit.ly/3dmt9lUSend us a Voice Memo: Desktop: bit.ly/2RyD5Ah Mobile: sayhi.chat/soundops Featured Songs:Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers, "I Won't Back Down," Full Moon Fever, MCA, 1989The Beatles, "With a Little Help from My Friends," Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band, Parlophone, 1967The Frames, "Fitzcarraldo," Fitzcarraldo, ZTT, 1995The Swell Season, "Falling Slowly (Live On Sound Opinions)," Swell Season, Overcoat, 2006Bruce Springsteen, "Born In The U.S.A.," Born In The U.S.A., Columbia, 1984John Cougar Mellencamp, "Pink Houses," Uh-Huh, Riva, 1983Bob Seger & The Silver Bullet Band, "Like A Rock," Like A Rock, Capitol, 1986Neil Young, "Keep On Rockin' In The Free World (Live on SNL)," Freedom, Reprise, 1989Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers, "Don't Come Around Here No More," Southern Accents, MCA, 1985Bonnie Raitt, "Nick Of Time," Nick Of Time, Capitol, 1989Stephen Wilson Jr., "Gary," (Single), Big Loud, 2026Don Henley, "The Boys of Summer," Building the Perfect Beast, Geffen, 1984John Cougar Mellencamp, "Rain on the Scarecrow," Scarecrow, Riva, 1986Buddy Guy, "Baby Please Don't Leave Me," Sweet Tea, Silvertone, 2001See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

In this bonus episode, Greg tells the story of a classic song that took the perfect voice to become a hit.Join our Facebook Group: https://bit.ly/3sivr9TBecome a member on Patreon: https://bit.ly/3slWZvcSign up for our newsletter: https://www.patreon.com/collection/2136865Make 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.

This week, hosts Jim DeRogatis and Greg Kot dig into a record review roundup full of summertime releases. The hosts discuss new albums from Olivia Rodrigo, Jack White, Margo Price, Robyn Hitchcock, and Swamp Dogg.Join our Facebook Group: https://bit.ly/3sivr9TBecome a member on Patreon: https://bit.ly/3slWZvcSign up for our newsletter: https://bit.ly/4frcVZoMake a donation via PayPal: https://bit.ly/3dmt9lUSend us a Voice Memo: Desktop: bit.ly/2RyD5Ah Mobile: sayhi.chat/soundops Featured Songs:Robyn Hitchcock, "Yesterday's Rain," The Confuser, TINY GHOST, 2026The Beatles, "With a Little Help from My Friends," Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band, Parlophone, 1967Olivia Rodrigo, "Drop Dead," You Seem Pretty Sad for a Girl So in Love, Geffen, 2026Olivia Rodrigo, "Purple," You Seem Pretty Sad for a Girl So in Love, Geffen, 2026Olivia Rodrigo, "What's Wrong with Me," You Seem Pretty Sad for a Girl So in Love, Geffen, 2026Jack White, "G.O.D. and the Broken Ribs," Frozen Charlotte, Third Man, 2026Jack White, "Neighbors Blues," Frozen Charlotte, Third Man, 2026Jack White, "Derecho Demonico," Frozen Charlotte, Third Man, 2026Jack White, "Dollar Bill," Frozen Charlotte, Third Man, 2026Margo Price, "San Marcos," Days of Unrest, Loma Vista, 2026Margo Price, "Oval Room," Days of Unrest, Loma Vista, 2026Margo Price, "Long Haired Country Girl (featuring Billy Swan)," Days of Unrest, Loma Vista, 2026Margo Price, "Deportee (Plane Wreck at Los Gatos) (featuring Joan Baez & Memphis Mariachi)," Days of Unrest, Loma Vista, 2026Robyn Hitchcock, "I Am This Thing," The Confuser, Tiny Ghost, 2026Robyn Hitchcock, "Building From The Ruins," The Confuser, Tiny Ghost, 2026Robyn Hitchcock, "My Dead Astronaut," The Confuser, Tiny Ghost, 2026Robyn Hitchcock, "Breathless," The Confuser, Tiny Ghost, 2026Swamp Dogg, "Waka Waka Waka (feat. Gary U.S. Bonds)," Swamp Dogg Contemplates the Afterlife, S-Curve, 2026Swamp Dogg, "Searching For Heaven," Swamp Dogg Contemplates the Afterlife, S-Curve, 2026Swamp Dogg, "Please Don't Bury Me," Swamp Dogg Contemplates the Afterlife, S-Curve, 2026The Feelies, "Slipping (Into Something)," The Good Earth, Rough Trade, 1986The Feelies, "Slipping (Into Something) (Live at 40 Watt Club, Athen, GA)," The Good Earth, Rough Trade, 1986Texas Tornados, "(Hey Baby) Que Pasó," Texas Tornados, Reprise, 1990Neil Young, "Old Man," Harvest, Reprise, 1972Tom Petty, "I Won't Back Down," Full Moon Fever, MCA, 1989See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

In 2008 Glen Hansard and Markéta Irglová performed their soon-to-be Oscar winning song "Falling Slowly" on Sound Opinions. As an act of mourning Glen Hansard's tragic death on July 29, we're sharing that interview and performance with The Swell Season here.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

In this bonus episode, Jim pays tribute to country-rock hero Steve Almaas, whom he first encountered during his Hoboken, New Jersey days. Almaas, a member of the Suicide Commandos and Beat Rodeo, died on June 5, 2026, at the age of 69.Join our Facebook Group: https://bit.ly/3sivr9TBecome a member on Patreon: https://bit.ly/3slWZvcSign up for our newsletter: https://www.patreon.com/collection/2136865Make 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.

This week, hosts Jim DeRogatis and Greg Kot talk with author Yi-Ling Liu about Chinese hip hop and how the music breaks through the infamous "fire wall" to connect to listeners. They’ll highlight some key artists and tracks, as well as put the music into the larger context.Join our Facebook Group: https://bit.ly/3sivr9TBecome a member on Patreon: https://bit.ly/3slWZvcSign up for our newsletter: https://bit.ly/4frcVZoMake a donation via PayPal: https://bit.ly/3dmt9lUSend us a Voice Memo: Desktop: bit.ly/2RyD5Ah Mobile: sayhi.chat/soundops Featured Songs:Kafe.Hu, "Be Free," Kafreeman, Modern Sky, 2017The Beatles, "With a Little Help from My Friends," Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band, Parlophone, 1967Higher Brothers and Famous Dex, "Made In China (Prod. Richie Souf)," Black Cab, 88rising, 2017Skai Isyourgod, "Stacks from All Sides," Stacks from All Sides, Showstart Release, 2024In3, "Beijing Evening News," Unknown Artist, In3 Family, 2008Bohan Phoenix, "3 DAYS IN CHENGDU," JALA, loveloveNYC, 2017VAVA, "My New Swag (feat. Ty. & Nina Wang)," Crazy Rich Asians (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack), Warner Bros., 2017Bohan Phoenix, "NO HOOK (feat. Higher Brothers)," JALA, loveloveNYC, 2017Kafe.Hu, "Fire," Kafreeman, Modern Sky, 2017Jack White, "G.O.D. And The Broken Ribs," Frozen Charlotte, Third Man, 2026See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

In this bonus episode, Greg pays tribute to jazz guitar innovator and Ornette Coleman disciple James Blood Ulmer, who died on June 3, 2026, at the age of 86.Join our Facebook Group: https://bit.ly/3sivr9TBecome a member on Patreon: https://bit.ly/3slWZvcSign up for our newsletter: https://www.patreon.com/collection/2136865Make 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.

The Feelies were never a household name, but their jangly guitars and propulsive rhythms helped shape generations of indie rock. In the second installment of a two-part Classic Album Dissection, hosts Jim DeRogatis and Greg Kot take a deep dive into the band’s second album, The Good Earth.Join our Facebook Group: https://bit.ly/3sivr9TBecome a member on Patreon: https://bit.ly/3slWZvcSign up for our newsletter: https://bit.ly/4frcVZoMake a donation via PayPal: https://bit.ly/3dmt9lUSend us a Voice Memo: Desktop: bit.ly/2RyD5Ah Mobile: sayhi.chat/soundops Featured Songs:The Feelies, "The Good Earth," The Good Earth, Coyote, 1986The Beatles, "With a Little Help from My Friends," Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band, Parlophone, 1967The Feelies, "Raised Eyebrows," Crazy Rhythms, Stiff, 1980The Feelies, "Slow Down," The Good Earth, Coyote, 1986The Feelies, "Outdoor Miner (Live on Sound Opinions)," NA, unreleased, 2008The Feelies, "Paint It Black (Live on Sound Opinions)," NA, unreleased, 2008The Feelies, "Slipping (Into Something)," The Good Earth, Coyote, 1986The Feelies, "Fame (Live in Something Wild)," NA, unreleased, 1986The Feelies, "The High Road (Live on Sound Opinions)," The Good Earth, Coyote, 1986The Feelies, "When Company Comes," The Good Earth, Coyote, 1986The Feelies and Yo La Tengo, "Sister Ray (Live)," NA, unreleased, 2023In3, "Beijing Evening News," Unknown Artists, self-released, 2008See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.