© 2024 NPR Illinois
The Capital's Community & News Service
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations
Sound Opinoins logo
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.

Stay Connected
  • 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.
  • Buried Treasures & RIP Mary Weiss of The Shangri-Las
    This week, hosts Jim DeRogatis and Greg Kot share some new music that’s flying underneath the mainstream radar - buried treasures! They’ll also pay tribute to Mary Weiss of The Shangri-Las.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:La Rosa Noir, "Red Motorcycle," Red Motorcycle EP, My Grito Industries, 2023The Beatles , "With a Little Help from My Friends," Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band, Parlophone, 1967Courtney Hadwin, "Monsters," Monsters (Single), Syco, 2023Sprints, "Ticking," Letter to Self, City Slang, 2024Enhypen, "Sweet Venom (english version)," Orange Blood EP, Belift Lab, 2023Yussef Dayes, "Rust (feat. Tom Misch)," Black Classical Music, Nonesuch, 2023Katy Kirby , "Table," Blue Raspberry, ANTI-, 2024Pozi, "Pest Control," Smiling Pools, Prah, 2023Blusher, "Rave Angel," Rave Angel (Single), Atlantic, 2024Maggie Lindemann, "Hostage," Hostage (Single), SWIXXZ, 2024The Sunshine State, "Dating a Drug Dealer," In Another Life EP, Self-Released, 2022The Last Dinner Party, "Sinner," Prelude to Ecstasy, Island, 2024Kaleah Lee, "Rotting Fruit," Rotting Fruit (Single), Kaleah Lee, 2024Slow Pulp, "Cramps," Yard, Anti-, 2023Allie X, "Girl With No Face," Girl With No Face (Single), Twin, 2023The Shangri-Las, "Remember (Walking in the Sand)," Leader of the Pack, Red Bird, 1965The Shangri-Las, "Past, Present and Future," Past, Present and Future (Single), Red Bird, 1966Lindsey Buckingham, "Holiday Road," Holiday Road (Single), Warner Bros., 1983See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
  • RIP Les McCann
    In this bonus episode, Greg adds a song to the Desert Island Jukebox in honor of jazz pianist Les McCann, who died in late December. 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.
  • Jamila Woods, Opinions on André 3000 & MJ Lenderman
    This week, hosts Jim DeRogatis and Greg Kot talk with artist, singer, songwriter and poet Jamila Woods about her third album, Water Made Us. They also review new music from André 3000 and MJ Lenderman.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:Jamila Woods, "Tiny Garden (feat. duendita)," Water Made Us, Jagjaguwar, 2023André 3000, "I Swear, I Really Wanted to Make a 'Rap' Album but This Is Literally the Way the Wind Blew Me This Time," New Blue Sun, Epic, 2023André 3000, "Dreams Once Buried Beneath the Dungeon Floor Slowly Sprout into Undying Gardens," New Blue Sun, Epic, 2023André 3000, "BuyPoloDisorder's Daughter Wears a 3000® Button Down Embroidered," New Blue Sun, Epic, 2023MJ Lenderman, "Live Jack (Live)," And the Wind (Live and Loose!), Anti-, 2023MJ Lenderman, "Knockin' (Live)," And the Wind (Live and Loose!), Anti-, 2023MJ Lenderman, "Dan Marino (Live)," And the Wind (Live and Loose!), Anti-, 2023Jamila Woods, "Good News," Water Made Us, Jagjaguwar, 2023Jamila Woods, "Practice (feat. Saba)," Water Made Us, Jagjaguwar, 2023Jamila Woods, "Bugs," Water Made Us, Jagjaguwar, 2023Jamila Woods, "Thermostat (feat. Peter CottonTale)," Water Made Us, Jagjaguwar, 2023Jamila Woods, "Send a Dove," Water Made Us, Jagjaguwar, 2023Jamila Woods, "I Miss All My Exes (feat. Gia Margaret)," Water Made Us, Jagjaguwar, 2023NNAMDÏ, "Armoire," Please Have a Seat, Secretly Canadian, 2022Pozi, "Pest Control," Smiling Pools, Prah, 2023See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
  • A Nepo Baby Band From 1973
    In this bonus episode, Jim adds a song featuring his teenage crush in a nepo baby band long before her acting career included WKRP In Cincinnati. 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.