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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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  • Emmylou Harris, Rosanne Cash & In-Law Country
    Musicians like Emmylou Harris, Rosanne Cash, Guy Clark and others changed the scope of country music forever. Hosts Jim DeRogatis and Greg Kot talk with author Geoffrey Himes about the artists of the movement he calls “in-law country.” They also hear from some listeners.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:Emmylou Harris, "Born to Run," Cimarron, Warner Bros. Nashville, 1981The Beatles, "With A Little Help From My Friends," Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band, Parlophone, 1967Rosanne Cash, "Seven Year Ache," Seven Year Ache, Columbia, 1981Rosanne Cash, "My Baby Thinks He's A Train," Seven Year Ache, Columbia, 1981The Flying Burrito Brothers, "Six Days on the Road," Last of the Red Hot Burritos, A&M, 1972Emmylou Harris, "Luxury Liner," Luxury Liner, Warner Bros. Nashville, 1976The Byrds, "You Ain't Goin' Nowhere," Sweetheart of the Rodeo, Columbia, 1968The Byrds, "Time Between," Younger Than Yesterday, Columbia, 1967Emmylou Harris, "If I Could Only Win Your Love," Pieces of the Sky, Reprise, 1975Rodney Crowell, "I Couldn't Leave You If I Tried," Diamonds & Dirt, Columbia, 1988Emmylou Harris, "Two More Bottles of Wine," Quarter Moon in a Ten Cent Town, Warner Bros. Nashville, 1978Emmylou Harris, "Pancho and Lefty," Luxury Liner, Warner Bros. Nashville, 1976Emmylou Harris, "Till I Gain Control Again," Elite Hotel, Reprise, 1975Ricky Skaggs, "Heartbroke," Highways & Heartaches, Epic, 1982Guy Clark, "L.A. Freeway," Old No. 1, RCA, 1975Liquid Mike, "Drinking and Driving," Paul Bunyan's Slingshot, Temporal, 2024TAE & The Neighborly, "We Can Be," Self Help, smooth bean, 2024David Grisman and Jerry Garcia, "Whiskey In the Jar," Shady Grove, Acoustic Disc, 1996Graham Nash, "Chicago / We Can Change the World," Songs for Beginners, Atlantic, 1971Bnny, "Good Stuff," One Million Love Songs, Fire Talk, 2024See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
  • When Synth-Pop Went Silly
    In this bonus episode, Greg shares a song by an 80s synth-pop band that set themselves apart with their great sense of humor.Become a member on Patreon: https://bit.ly/3slWZvcJoin our Facebook Group: https://bit.ly/3sivr9TSign 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.
  • Reviews of Lucy Dacus, Saba & No I.D., Mekons, etc. Plus RIP Clem Burke & Dave Allen
    As spring is springing, the volume of new albums coming out is hard to keep up with. This week hosts Jim DeRogatis and Greg Kot dig out from “music mountain” by reviewing new albums from Lucy Dacus, Saba and No ID, Mekons and Perfume Genius. They also pay tribute to Clem Burke of Blondie and Dave Allen of Gang of Four.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:Lucy Dacus, "Ankles," Forever is a Feeling, Geffen, 2025The Beatles, "With A Little Help From My Friends," Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band, Parlophone, 1967Blondie, "Heart Of Glass," Parallel Lines, Chrysalis, 1979Blondie, "Atomic," Eat to the Beat, Chrysalis, 1980Blondie, "Call Me," American Gigolo, Chrysalis, 1980Gang of Four, "Ether," Entertainment!, EMI, 1979Gang of Four, "Damaged Goods," Entertainment!, EMI, 1979Lucy Dacus, "For Keeps," Forever is a Feeling, Geffen, 2025Lucy Dacus, "Most Wanted Man," Forever is a Feeling, Geffen, 2025Lucy Dacus, "Lost Time," Forever is a Feeling, Geffen, 2025Saba and No I.D., "head.rap (ft. Madison McFerrin, Ogi & Jordan Ward)," From the Private Collection of Saba and No I.D., From the Private Collection of Saba and No I.D., 2025Saba and No I.D., "Every Painting Has a Price (feat. Eryn Allen Kane & BJ Chicago Kid)," From the Private Collection of Saba and No I.D., From the Private Collection of Saba and No I.D., 2025Saba and No I.D., "Breakdown," From the Private Collection of Saba and No I.D., From the Private Collection of Saba and No I.D., 2025Saba and No I.D., "How to Impress God," From the Private Collection of Saba and No I.D., From the Private Collection of Saba and No I.D., 2025Perfume Genius, "Clean Heart," Glory, Matador, 2025Perfume Genius, "No Front Teeth (feat. Aldous Harding)," Glory, Matador, 2025Perfume Genius, "Left For Tomorrow," Glory, Matador, 2025Perfume Genius, "Full On," Glory, Matador, 2025Mekons, "Mudcrawlers," Horror, Fire, 2025Mekons, "You're Not Singing Anymore," Horror, Fire, 2025Mekons, "Private Defense Contractor," Horror, Fire, 2025Mekons, "The Western Design," Horror, Fire, 2025Mekons, "War Economy," Horror, Fire, 2025Mekons, "Sad and Sad and Sad," Horror, Fire, 2025Rosanne Cash, "Seven Year Ache," Seven Year Ache, Columbia, 1981See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
  • A Song that Stalked Jim Through the Algorithm
    In this bonus episode, Jim attempts to redeem a song from German singer Nina Hagen's 1982 album NunSexMonkRock, which Rolling Stone famously dubbed the "most unlistenable" album ever made.Become a member on Patreon: https://bit.ly/3slWZvcJoin our Facebook Group: https://bit.ly/3sivr9TSign 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.
  • 25th Anniversary of Common's Like Water for Chocolate
    This year marks the 25th anniversary of socially conscious rapper Common's pivotal album Like Water for Chocolate. Hosts Jim DeRogatis and Greg Kot revisit their classic album dissection of Like Water for Chocolate including an interview with Common from the year 2000.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:Common, "Time Travelin' (A Tribute to Fela)," Like Water for Chocolate, MCA, 2000Common, "Take it EZ," Can I Borrow a Dollar?, Relativity, 1992Common, "I Used to Love H.E.R.," Resurrection, Relativity, 1994Common, "Brown Sugar," Brown Sugar, EMI, 1995Common, "Funky for You," Like Water for Chocolate, MCA, 2000Common, "A Song for Assata," Like Water for Chocolate, MCA, 2000Common, "Payback is a Grandmother," Like Water for Chocolate, MCA, 2000Common, "The Light," Like Water for Chocolate, MCA, 2000Common, "The 6th Sense," Like Water for Chocolate, MCA, 2000Common, "Thelonius," Like Water for Chocolate, MCA, 2000Common, "Geto Heaven Remix T.S.O.I," Like Water for Chocolate (Alternate Edition), MCA, 2001Common, "A Film Called (Pimp)," Like Water for Chocolate, MCA, 2000Kendrick Lamar, "Institutionalized," To Pimp a Butterfly, Interscope, 2015New York Dolls, "Looking For a Kiss," New York Dolls, Mercury, 1973Delivery, "The New Alphabet," Force Majeure, Heavenly, 2025Delivery, "Deadlines," Force Majeure, Heavenly, 2025Lucy Dacus, "Ankles," Forever is a Feeling, Geffen, 2025See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
  • More Mike Campbell!
    Jim and Greg continue their conversation with Mike Campbell of Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers. They talk about performing in the Super Bowl Half Time show, working with Don Henley and Stevie Nicks and the future of the Heartbreakers.Become a member on Patreon: https://bit.ly/3slWZvcJoin our Facebook Group: https://bit.ly/3sivr9TSign 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.
  • Mike Campbell of Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers
    This week, hosts Jim DeRogatis and Greg Kot interview guitarist and songwriter Mike Campbell of Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers. They talk about his new autobiography, working with Bob Dylan and his continued love for music.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:Tom Petty, "Runnin' Down a Dream," Full Moon Fever, MCA, 1989The Beatles, "With A Little Help From My Friends," Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band, Parlophone, 1967Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers, "Breakdown," Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers, Shelter, 1976Johnny Cash, "Folsom Prison Blues," Johnny Cash with His Hot and Blue Guitar!, Sun, 1957The Paul Butterfield Blues Band, "Born In Chicago," The Paul Butterfield Blues Band, Elektra, 1965Mudcrutch, "Scare Easy," Mudcrutch, Reprise, 2008Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers, "Refugee," Damn the Torpedoes, Backstreet, 1979Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers, "Here Comes My Girl," Damn the Torpedoes, Backstreet, 1979Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers, "Don't Do Me Like That," Damn the Torpedoes, Backstreet, 1979Tom Petty, "Free Fallin'," Full Moon Fever, MCA, 1989Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers, "Even the Losers," Damn the Torpedoes, Backstreet, 1979Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers, "A Woman In Love (It's Not Me)," Hard Promises, Backstreet, 1981The Beatles, "Taxman," Revolver, Parlophone, 1966Tom Petty, "I Won't Back Down," Full Moon Fever, MCA, 1989Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers, "American Girl," Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers, Shelter, 1976Common, "The Light," Like Water for Chocolate, MCA, 2000See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
  • A Key Band of the '80s Indie Rock Scene
    In this bonus episode, Greg shares a track by one of the great, underrated bands on the Simple Machines record label. Don't miss out on this forgotten classic!Become a member on Patreon: https://bit.ly/3slWZvcJoin our Facebook Group: https://bit.ly/3sivr9TSign 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.
  • Women in Ska & Opinions on Throwing Muses
    Hosts Jim DeRogatis and Greg Kot talk with author Heather Augustyn about her book "Rude Girls: Women in Two Tone Ska and One Step Beyond." The hosts also review the new album by Throwing Muses.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 Bodysnatchers, "Ruder Than You," Ruder Than You (Single), 2 Tone, 1980The Beatles, "With A Little Help From My Friends," Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band, Parlophone, 1967Throwing Muses, "Summer of Love," Moonlight Concessions, Fire, 2025Throwing Muses, "South Coast," Moonlight Concessions, Fire, 2025Throwing Muses, "Theremini," Moonlight Concessions, Fire, 2025Throwing Muses, "Sally's Beauty," Moonlight Concessions, Fire, 2025Rhoda with the Special A.K.A., "The Boiler," The Boiler (Single), 2 Tone, 1981The Selecter, "On My Radio," On My Radio (Single), 2 Tone, 1979The Bodysnatchers, "Easy Life," Easy Life (Single), 2 Tone, 1980The Fun Boy Three with Bananarama, "It Ain't What You Do It's the Way That You Do It," Fun Boy Three, Chrysalis, 1982The Fun Boy Three, "Our Lips Are Sealed," Waiting, Chrysalis, 1983The Deltones, "Oddball Boy," Nana Choc Choc In Paris, Unicorn, 1989The Lemons, "English Summer," English Summer (Single), Race, 1981Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers, "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.
  • RIP Brian James of the Damned
    In this bonus episode, Jim pays tribute to Brian James, English punk rock guitarist and founding member of the Damned. James died on March 6th, 2025 at the age of 70.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.
  • Music & Nostalgia Plus Opinions on Bartees Strange & Sasami
    Hosts Jim DeRogatis and Greg Kot speak with author David Rowell about his new book, The Endless Refrain: Memory, Nostalgia, and the Threat to New Music. The hosts also review the new albums by Bartees Strange and Sasami.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, "With A Little Help From My Friends," Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band, Parlophone, 1967Bartees Strange, "Sober," Horror, 4AD, 2025Bartees Strange, "Wants Needs," Horror, 4AD, 2025Bartees Strange, "Baltimore," Horror, 4AD, 2025Bartees Strange, "17," Horror, 4AD, 2025Bartees Strange, "Doomsday Buttercup," Horror, 4AD, 2025Sasami, "Slugger," Blood On the Silver Screen, Domino, 2025Sasami, "Love Makes You Do Crazy Things," Blood On the Silver Screen, Domino, 2025Sasami, "The Seed," Blood On the Silver Screen, Domino, 2025Sasami, "I'll Be Gone," Blood On the Silver Screen, Domino, 2025Tom Petty, "You Don't Know How it Feels," Wildflowers, Warner, 1994Kajagoogoo, "Too Shy," White Feathers, EMI, 1983Journey, "Lights," Infinity, Columbia, 1978The Rolling Stones, "Jumpin' Jack Flash," Single, Decca, 1968Neil Young, "Tonight's the Night," Tonight's the Night, Reprise, 1975Hüsker Dü, "Sorry Somehow," Candy Apple Grey, Warner, 1986Men at Work, "Down Under," Business as Usual, Columbia, 1981The Selecter, "On My Radio," On My Radio (Single), 2 Tone, 1979See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
  • RIP Roberta Flack
    In this bonus episode, Greg pays tribute to the great American singer Roberta Flack who died on February 24, 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.