Sound Opinions

Hosts Jim DeRogatis and Greg Kot revisit their dissection of Stevie Wonder's "Songs in the Key of Life," plus they discuss four newly released tracks and whether Songs in the Key of Life is Stevie Wonder’s best album.

In this bonus episode, Greg pays tribute to a legendary artist who would have recently celebrated his 100th birthday, revisiting his masterpiece.

On the occasion of his 100th birthday, hosts Jim DeRogatis and Greg Kot pay tribute to Chuck Berry.

In this bonus episode, Jim shares an overlooked band that he hopes will find a second life thanks to a new collection from Third Man Records.

Sound Opinions senior producer Alex Claiborne has a conversation with drag queen, DJ and singer-songwriter Trixie Mattel about her new Halloween-inspired EP.

Hosts Jim DeRogatis and Greg Kot celebrate the spooky season with a contemporary Halloween playlist, from pop hits to underground gems.

In this bonus episode, Greg praises a proto-shoegaze band—and its reclusive singer—who never got the acclaim he thinks they deserved.

Hosts Jim DeRogatis and Greg Kot review some new albums from Michael Kiwanuka, Neil Young, Chaka Khan, The Tubs and This is Lorelei.

In this bonus episode, Andrew Gill sits down with musical comedian Kyle Gordon, whose songs lovingly parody entire musical genres–from Eurodance to country, pop-punk and beyond.

Hosts Jim DeRogatis and Greg Kot join with the Chicago music community to pay tribute to John Prine on what would have been his 80th birthday.

In this bonus episode, Jim pays tribute to Cheetah Chrome, guitarist for Rocket from the Tombs and the Dead Boys, who recently died at age 71.

Hosts Jim DeRogatis and Greg Kot welcome their old colleague and former Sound Opinions host Bill Wyman back to discuss his new book, Bill Wyman’s Rock & Roll Lists, in which he ranks every song by some of rock’s biggest artists.

In this bonus episode, Greg spotlights a song he recently heard as Muzak and makes the case for the original and its grocery store counterpart.

This week, hosts Jim DeRogatis and Greg Kot revisit their 2018 interview and live performance with Phoebe, which includes never-before-aired content.

In this bonus episode, Jim remembers Vic Chesnutt’s music and an encounter he’s been thinking about ever since.Content advisory: This episode includes discussion of self-harm.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 See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Hosts Jim DeRogatis and Greg Kot interview legendary soul songwriter David Porter, about his memoir, Soul Man.

In this bonus episode, Greg touts the merits of a British, late '80s hit he was reminded of when he heard the muzak version of it in the grocery store.

Hosts Jim DeRogatis and Greg Kot share a fresh batch of songs that deserve more attention- what they call "buried treasures", and they also pay tribute to Dolly Parton.

In this bonus episode, Jim spotlights what he claims is the second-best track ever to feature handclaps.

This week, hosts Jim DeRogatis and Greg Kot talk with musician and author Melissa Auf der Maur (Hole, The Smashing Pumpkins) about her new memoir and career.

In this bonus episode, Greg pays tribute to producer William Orbit and his work on Ray of Light, which Greg considers Madonna’s greatest album.

Hosts Jim DeRogatis and Greg Kot revisit their 2016 interview with Courtney Barnett and review new records from Phoebe Bridgers and Twisted Teens.

In this bonus episode, Jim pays tribute to L7 bassist Jennifer Finch, who died July 18, 2026, at age 59.

This week, hosts Jim DeRogatis and Greg Kot highlight some of Shoegaze's pioneers along with more recent favorites.

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.

To celebrate Buddy Guy's recent 90th birthday, hosts Jim DeRogatis and Greg Kot re-air their 2007 with the blues legend.

In this bonus episode, Jim shares a song that ties back to his childhood fascination with the Alamo.

This week, hosts Jim DeRogatis and Greg Kot talk with author Erin Osmon about her new book on "heartland rock" and pay tribute to the late Glen Hansard.

In this bonus episode, Greg tells the story of a classic song that took the perfect voice to become a hit.

Jim and Greg discuss new albums from Olivia Rodrigo, Jack White, Margo Price, Robyn Hitchcock, and Swamp Dogg.

Glen Hansard and Markéta Irglová performance on Sound Opinions from 2008.

In this bonus episode, Jim pays tribute to country-rock hero Steve Almaas of the Suicide Commandos and Beat Rodeo, who died on June 5, 2026, at the age of 69.

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.

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.

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.

Lucy Dacus joins co-senior producer Alex Claiborne ahead of her July 19 performance with the Chicago Philharmonic at Millennium Park to discuss Forever Is a Feeling, orchestral arrangements, her Chicago ties, and the future of Boygenius.

In this first installment of a two-part Classic Album Dissection, hosts Jim DeRogatis and Greg Kot take a deep dive into The Feelies influential debut album, Crazy Rhythms.

In this bonus episode, Jim pays tribute to one of his favorite drummers while shining a light on a lesser-known father-daughter musical duo.

Hosts Jim DeRogatis and Greg Kot revisit their classic album dissection of Drive-By Truckers’ “Southern Rock Opera” for its 25th anniversary.

In this bonus episode, Jim follows up his Chip Taylor tribute by responding to a listener who pointed out one of the country legend's incredible collaborations.

Hosts Jim DeRogatis and Greg Kot return with another round of Buried Treasures, sharing their latest underground music discoveries alongside picks from the production team.

In this bonus DIJ, Greg pays tribute to jazz giant Sonny Rollins, who died on May 25, 2026, at the age of 95.

Hosts Jim DeRogatis and Greg Kot share their personal best albums of 2026 so far.

In this bonus episode, Jim spotlights a beloved blues and soul singer whose name has been in the Sound Opinions conversation since the show's earliest days—going all the way back to episode five.

Hosts Jim DeRogatis and Greg Kot talk with music journalist and author Barry Walters about his new book Mighty Real: A History of LGBTQ Music 1969-2000.

In this bonus episode, Greg pays tribute to American record producer Jack Douglas who died on May 11, 2026, at the age of 77.

This week, hosts Jim DeRogatis and Greg Kot are digging into the Sound Opinions archives to share some rare tracks recorded in live sessions for past episodes.

In this bonus trip to the Desert Island Jukebox, Jim highlights a singer who spent years in the orbit of some of post-punk's most celebrated and notorious figures before stepping into the spotlight herself.

Hosts Jim DeRogatis and Greg Kot share the "five essential songs" from country artist Gary Stewart and review some new music from Jill Scott, Mandy, Indiana and Aldous Harding.

In this bonus Desert Island Jukebox episode, Greg shares a cult favorite from Milwaukee's psychedelic scene.

This week, hosts Jim DeRogatis and Greg Kot dig into Willie Nelson’s vast catalog of 150+ albums. Along with author Geoffrey Himes, they highlight the “five essential” albums people should hear.

In this bonus Desert Island Jukebox, Jim pays tribute to legendary American songwriter Chip Taylor who died on March 23, 2026, at the age of 86.

This week, hosts Jim DeRogatis and Greg Kot are joined by author Nic Brown for a classic album dissection of the debut from The Violent Femmes.

This week on the Desert Island Jukebox, Greg cues up a song inspired by outlaw airwaves and underground culture.

This week, hosts Jim DeRogatis and Greg Kot share some of their favorite artists who beat the dreaded sophomore, delivering follow-ups that proved their debuts were no fluke.

In this bonus episode, Jim digs up a song that owes more to AM radio nostalgia than to being, well…good.

This week, hosts Jim DeRogatis and Greg Kot talk with biographer Will Hermes about his book on Lou Reed, as well as Lou’s music, persona, legacy and more.

In this bonus episode, Greg shares a song that was championed early on by English radio DJ John Peel.

This week, hosts Jim DeRogatis and Greg Kot are joined by Ratboys lead singer and songwriter Julia Steiner and review the new album from Friko.

In this bonus episode, Jim cues up a Desert Island Jukebox pick—and explains why it’s deeper than it first sounds.

This week, hosts Jim DeRogatis and Greg Kot chat with rapper Billy Woods about his career, discography, and the process driving his music.

In this bonus episode, Greg pays tribute to legendary drummer James Gadson who died on April 2, 2026 at age 86.

This week, hosts Jim DeRogatis and Greg Kot will do an overview of Neil Young’s six decade-long career in just 12 songs.

In this bonus episode, Jim highlights a cover that outshines the original, thanks to three legendary blues singers.

Hosts Jim DeRogatis and Greg Kot discuss the history of Bloodshot Records with co-founder Rob Miller.

In this bonus episode, Greg highlights a record that was poorly received at the time but has since aged into greatness.

Every few weeks, hosts Jim DeRogatis and Greg Kot are bursting at the seams with new underground music to recommend—it's time for another round of Buried Treasures.

In this bonus episode, Jim shares a song about his favorite rock critic, written by an artist he’s not so fond of.

Hosts Jim DeRogatis and Greg Kot discuss Al Green's life and his pivotal first gospel album, Belle, plus they review the new album from Mitski.

In this bonus episode, Greg pays tribute to the salsa legend Willie Colón, who died February 21, 2026, at the age of 75.

This week hosts Jim DeRogatis and Greg Kot celebrate artists who found a new creative gear decades after they hit the music scene.

In this bonus episode, Jim shares a track from an early punk band that imagines what might happen if you received the eyes of a convicted murderer.

This week, hosts Jim DeRogatis and Greg Kot round up a handful of Desert Island Jukebox picks from previous guests of Sound Opinions, plus review the new albums from Peaches and Danny Brown.

In this bonus episode, Greg shares a track by a famous singer whose powerful protest anthems are often overlooked.

This week hosts Jim DeRogatis and Greg Kot talk with Lili Trifilio aka Beach Bunny, plus they review the new album from Charli XCX.

In this bonus DIJ, Jim shares a song by one of his favorite bands that never stops being fun, no matter how many times he hears it.

Jim DeRogatis and Greg Kot revisit the music, history, and legacy of R.E.M. with biographer Peter Ames Carlin, reflecting on the band’s evolution — and their own years covering it.

In this bonus episode, Greg shares a track by songwriter and friend Chrissie Dickinson, whose band didn’t release its debut album until after her death.

Hosts Jim DeRogatis and Greg Kot curate a selection of songs by artists responding to the current political moment.

In this bonus episode, Jim shares a song from a film that Courtney Love once called the best movie ever made.

Hosts Jim DeRogatis and Greg Kot talk with Twin Cities DIJ Mary Lucia about her memoir.

In this bonus episode, Greg shares a track from the scariest artist he's ever covered as a journalist.

Hosts Jim DeRogatis and Greg Kot share a fresh batch of songs that deserve more attention- what they call "buried treasures."

In this bonus episode, Jim pays tribute to one of his all-time favorite artists—and his Pagan friends back in Minneapolis.

Jim and Greg talk with Roxy Music's Phil Manzanera and pay tribute to the late Bob Weir.

In this bonus episode, Greg shares a track by one jazz legend paying tribute to another.

In this bonus episode, Greg pays tribute to Bob Weir of the Grateful Dead, the pioneering rhythm guitarist and co-founder who died January 10, 2026, at age 78.

Hosts Jim DeRogatis and Greg Kot pay tribute to Rob Reiner by revisiting their 2014 conversation.

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.

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.

In this bonus episode, Greg adds a song to the Desert Island Jukebox that was arguably perfected upon its original release.

Hosts Jim DeRogatis and Greg Kot explore the Raincoats’ lasting post-punk legacy and outsized influence on alternative music, including their impact on Kurt Cobain of Nirvana.

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.

Hosts Jim and Greg discuss Radiohead's "Kid A" on its 25th anniversary.

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.

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.

In this bonus episode, Jim reflects on his introduction to Mexican shoegaze through a newly discovered duo with a meaty discography.

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.

In this bonus episode, Greg is away on vacation, but Jim is here to pay tribute to two musical icons we’ll deeply miss after their passing in late 2025: reggae pioneer Jimmy Cliff and soul guitar legend Steve Cropper.