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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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  • Rough Trade & Opinions on Geese
    Hosts Jim DeRogatis and Greg Kot talk with Rough Trade collaborators Geoff Travis and Jeannette Lee about their contributions to the music industry and their new label River Lea, which focuses on Irish folk music. The hosts also review the buzzy new album from indie rockers, Geese.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:Lankum, "Cold Old Fire," Cold Old Fire, Self Released, 2014The Beatles, "With A Little Help From My Friends," Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band, Parlophone, 1967Geese, "Taxes," Getting Killed, Partisan, 2025Geese, "Islands of Men," Getting Killed, Partisan, 2025Geese, "Trinidad," Getting Killed, Partisan, 2025Geese, "Half Real," Getting Killed, Partisan, 2025Brighde Chaimbeul, "An Léimras / Harris Dance," The Reeling, River Lea, 2019Raw Bar Collective, "Baile Mhúirne (feat. Nell Ní Chróinín)," Ag Fogairt an Lae, Self Released, 2016The Wolfe Tones, "Come Out Ye Black & Tans," Let The People Sing, Dolphin, 1972Lankum, "Go Dig My Grave," False Lankum, Rough Trade, 2023Lisa O'Neill, "All the Tired Horses," All the Tired Horses (Single), Rough Trade, 2022John Francis Flynn, "Mole in The Ground," Look Over the Wall, See the Sky, River Lea, 2023Poor Creature, "The Whole Town Knows," All Smiles Tonight, River Lea, 2025Poor Creature, "All Smiles Tonight," All Smiles Tonight, River Lea, 2025Ye Vagabonds, "An Island," Nine Waves, River Lea, 2022Poor Creature, "Adieu Lovely Eireann," All Smiles Tonight, River Lea, 2025Public Image Ltd, "Flowers of Romance," Flowers of Romance, Virgin, 1981ANOHNI, "It Must Change," My Back Was a Bridge for You to Cross, Rough Trade, 2023Robert Wyatt, "The Age of Self," Old Rottenhat, Rough Trade, 1985The Smiths, "Frankly, Mr. Shankly," The Queen Is Dead, Rough Trade, 1986John Fogerty, "Zanz Kant Danz," Centerfield, Warner Bros, 1984Swell Maps, "The Helicopter Spies," Jane from Occupied Europe, Rough Trade, 1980See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
  • A Real Groovy Track
    In this bonus episode of Sound Opinions, Jim gets "reaal!" about his love of disco with this groovy track.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.
  • Producer of "Planet Rock" Arthur Baker, Plus Opinions on Wednesday
    Hosts Jim DeRogatis and Greg Kot chat with record producer and author Arthur Baker about his new book, Looking for the Perfect Beat: Remixing and Reshaping Hip-Hop, Rock and Rhythms. The hosts also review the new album from Wednesday.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:Afrika Bambaataa & the Soulsonic Force, "Looking for the Perfect Beat (Original 12" Version)," Looking for the Perfect Beat, Tommy Boy, 1982The Beatles, "With A Little Help From My Friends," Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band, Parlophone, 1967Wednesday, "Elderberry Wine," Bleeds, Dead Oceans, 2025Wednesday, "Candy Breath," Bleeds, Dead Oceans, 2025Wednesday, "Townies," Bleeds, Dead Oceans, 2025Wednesday, "Gary's II," Bleeds, Dead Oceans, 2025Wednesday, "The Way Love Goes," Bleeds, Dead Oceans, 2025New Order, "Confusion," Confusion, Factory, 1983Afrika Bambaataa & the Soulsonic Force, "Planet Rock," Planet Rock: The Album, Tommy Boy, 1986Run-D.M.C., "It's Like That," Run-D.M.C., Profile, 1984Thundercat, "Walk On By (feat. Kendrick Lamar)," Drunk, Brainfeeder, 2017Marvin Gaye, "Sexual Healing," Midnight Love, Columbia, 1982New Order, "Thieves Like Us," Thieves Like Us, Factory, 1983Bruce Springsteen, "Dancing In The Dark (Blaster Mix)," Dancing In The Dark, CBS, 1985Artists United Against Apartheid, "Sun City," Sun City, Manhattan, 1985Warpaint, "Love Is to Die," Warpaint, Rough Trade, 2014See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
  • RIP Sonny Curtis
    In this bonus episode, Greg pays tribute to Sonny Curtis, the undersung artist who wrote the original version of "I Fought the Law" with The Crickets. Sonny died on September 19, 2025, at the age of 88.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.
  • The Greenwich Village Music Scene
    Hosts Jim DeRogatis and Greg Kot speak with David Browne, author of the book Talkin’ Greenwich Village: The Heady Rise and Slow Fall of America’s Bohemian Music Capital.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:Phil Ochs, "Here's to the State of Mississippi," I Ain't Marching Anymore, Elektra, 1965The Beatles, "With A Little Help From My Friends," Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band, Parlophone, 1967Sonny Rollins, "Softly As In A Morning Sunrise (Live At The Village Vanguard, 1957 / Evening Take)," The Complete Night At The Village Vanguard, Blue Note, 2013Miles Davis, "Stablemates," Miles: The New Miles Davis Quintet, Prestige, 1956Joan Baez, "Wildwood Flower," Joan Baez, Vanguard, 1960John Coltrane, "Greensleeves," Evenings at the Village Gate: John Coltrane with Eric Dolphy, Impulse!, 2023Paul Butterfield, "Everything Gonna Be Alright," Live New York 1970, RockBeat, 2015Phil Ochs, "Talking Vietnam Blues," All the News That's Fit to Sing, Elektra, 1964Dave Van Ronk, "He Was a Friend of Mine," Folksinger, Prestige, 1962Dave Van Ronk, "Dink's Song," Dave Van Ronk Sings, Folkways, 1961Bob Dylan, "House of the Risin' Sun," Bob Dylan, Columbia, 1962Dave Van Ronk, "House of the Rising Sun," Just Dave Van Ronk, Mercury, 1964The Blues Project, "Catch the Wind," Live at the Cafe Au Go Go, Verve Folkways, 1966Bob Dylan, "It Ain't Me Babe," Another Side of Bob Dylan, Columbia, 1964Bob Dylan, "Hurricane (Live at Memorial Auditorium, Worcester, MA, November 1975)," The Rolling Thunder Revue: The 1975 Live Recordings, Columbia, 2019Len Chandler, "Bellevue," To Be a Man, Columbia, 1966Peter, Paul and Mary, "Where Have All the Flowers Gone," Peter, Paul and Mary, Warner Bros., 1962Sonny Rollins, "I Can't Get Started (Live At The Village Vanguard, 1957 / Evening Take)," The Complete Night At The Village Vanguard, Blue Note, 2013The Roches, "Speak," Speak, MCA, 1989Buffy Sainte-Marie, "It's My Way," It's My Way!, Vanguard, 1964Odetta, "I Never Will Marry," Odetta Sings Folk Songs, RCA Victor, 1963Afrika Bambaataa & the Soulsonic Force, "Planet Rock," Planet Rock (Single), Tommy Boy, 1982See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
  • RIP Rick Davies of Supertramp
    In this bonus episode, Jim pays tribute to Rick Davies, the legendary keyboardist and co-founder of Supertramp, who passed away on September 6, 2025, at age 81.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.
  • Buried Treasures: Fall Edition
    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:Frankie and the Witch Fingers, "Total Reset," Trash Classic, Greenway, 2025The Beatles, "With A Little Help From My Friends," Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band, Parlophone, 1967AnAkA, "CRISIS OF THE CONCRETE," CRISIS OF THE CONCRETE (Single), AKTIV8, 2025Gwenifer Raymond, "Jack Parsons Blues," Last Night I Heard The Dog Star Bark, We Are Busy Bodies, 2025Brett Newski & the Bad Inventions, "Jesus Freak," ameriCONa Pt. 1: Educate Freeloaders to Buy Art, self-released, 2025Low Girl, "Overgrown," Overgrown (Single), self-released, 2025Love Story in Blood Red, "Jackknife," Everything's Everywhere, Good Times Rock N Roll Club, 2025Sharp Pins, "Every Time I Hear," Radio DDR, Perennial Death, 2025Satanic Puppeteer Orchestra, "Blow It Up," Press Start, self-released, 2025Tombstones in their Eyes, "I Am Cold," Asylum Harbour, Kitten Robot, 2024Jens Lekman, "A Tuxedo Sewn For Two," Songs For Other People's Weddings, Secretly Canadian, 2025Thank, "Do It Badly," I Have A Physical Body That Can Be Harmed, Big Scary Monsters Recording Company, 2024Molly Nilsson, "How Much is The World," Amateur, Night School, 2025The Cords, "Fabulist," The Cords, Skep Wax / Slumberland, 2025Jeffrey Foskett, "I live for the Sun," Stars in the Sand, The Pop Collective, 2004The Lucksmiths, "Sunlight in a Jar," Warmer Corners, Candle Records, 2005The Way Down Wanderers, "Your Will is a Wildflower," Path to Follow - EP, Self-Released, 2014Sly and the Family Stone, "Runnin' Away," There's a Riot Goin' On, Epic, 1971Bob Dylan, "House of the Risin' Sun," Bob Dylan, Columbia, 1962See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
  • RIP Jim Kimball
    In this bonus episode, Greg pays tribute to drummer Jim Kimball of Laughing Hyenas, Mule, Jesus Lizard, and more. Jim died on August 27, 2025, at the age of 59.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.
  • 21st Century Indie Rock & Opinions on the Hives
    Hosts Jim DeRogatis and Greg Kot talk with author Chris Deville about his new book, "Such Great Heights: The Complete Cultural History of the Indie Rock Explosion." The hosts also review the new album from The Hives.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 Postal Service, "Such Great Heights," Give Up, Sub Pop, 2003The Beatles, "With A Little Help From My Friends," Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band, Parlophone, 1967The Hives, "The Hives Forever Forever The Hives," The Hives Forever Forever The Hives, PIAS, 2025The Hives, "Enough is Enough," The Hives Forever Forever The Hives, PIAS, 2025The Hives, "Hooray Hooray Hooray," The Hives Forever Forever The Hives, PIAS, 2025The Hives, "Path of Most Resistance," The Hives Forever Forever The Hives, PIAS, 2025The Hives, "O.C.D.O.D.," The Hives Forever Forever The Hives, PIAS, 2025The Dismemberment Plan, "The Face of the Earth," Change, Desoto, 2001Sufjan Stevens, "Jacksonville," Illinois, Rough Trade, 2005Best Coast, "California Nights," California Nights, Harvest, 2015Belle and Sebastian, "Asleep on a Sunbeam," Dear Catastrophe Waitress, Rough Trade, 2003Death Cab for Cutie, "We Looked Like Giants," Transatlanticism, Barsuk, 2003The Dismemberment Plan, "The City," Emergency & I, Desoto, 1999The Decemberists, "The Engine Driver," Picaresque, Kill Rock Stars, 2005Vampire Weekend, "M79," Vampire Weekend, XL, 2008Thank, "Control," I Have A Physical Body That Can Be Harmed, Big Scary Monsters Recording Company, 2025See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
  • An Unlikely One-Hit Wonder Cover
    In this bonus episode, Jim shares what might be the quintessential one-hit wonder, but in classic Sound Opinions fashion, the cover he's picked is as obscure as they come.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.
  • 50th Anniversary of Patti Smith's "Horses" Plus Opinions on Margo Price
    Hosts Jim DeRogatis and Greg Kot celebrate 50 years of Patti Smith’s “Horses” with a classic album dissection. They also review the new album by Margo Price.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:Patti Smith, "Gloria," Horses, Arista, 1975The Beatles, "With A Little Help From My Friends," Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band, Parlophone, 1967Margo Price, "Don't Let the Bastards Get You Down," Hard Headed Woman, Loma Vista, 2025Margo Price, "Red Eye Flight," Hard Headed Woman, Loma Vista, 2025Margo Price, "Wild at Heart," Hard Headed Woman, Loma Vista, 2025Margo Price, "Love Me Like You Used to Do (feat. Tyler Childers)," Hard Headed Woman, Loma Vista, 2025Margo Price, "I Just Don't Give a Damn," Hard Headed Woman, Loma Vista, 2025Patti Smith, "Free Money," Horses, Arista, 1975Patti Smith & Lenny Kaye, "Ballad of a Bad Boy," 25974, Mer, 2006Patti Smith, "Piss Factory," Piss Factory (Single), Mer, 1974Patti Smith, "Hey Joe," Hey Joe (Single), Mer, 1974Ramones, "Now I Wanna Sniff Some Glue," Ramones, Sire, 1976Television, "Little Johnny Jewel," The Blow Up, ROIR, 1982Patti Smith, "Distant Fingers (Demo)," Land (1975-2002), Arista, 2002Them, "Gloria," Gloria (Single), Decca, 1974Patti Smith, "Redondo Beach," Horses, Arista, 1975Patti Smith, "Birdland," Horses, Arista, 1975Patti Smith, "Kimberly," Horses, Arista, 1975Patti Smith, "Break It Up," Horses, Arista, 1975Jim Morrison & The Doors, "An American Prayer / The End," An American Prayer, Elektra, 1978Patti Smith, "Ask the Angels," I Never Talked to Bob Dylan, Stoned, 1977Patti Smith, "Land," Horses, Arista, 1975Patti Smith, "Elegie," Horses, Arista, 1975Patti Smith, "My Generation," Horses, Arista, 1975TV on the Radio, "Wolf Like Me," Return to Cookie Mountain, 4AD, 2006See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
  • A South Soul Song from Greg's Summer
    In this bonus episode, Greg shares a Latin soul song by one of the many great artists he saw perform at Chicago music festivals this summer.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.