

Sound Opinions
Sound Opinions
Take two nationally respected rock critics, the latest music news, personal commentary, and exclusive interviews and performances, add a huge pile of records old and new, and the result is Sound Opinions, where people who love music can come together.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Oct 10, 2025 • 51min
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.

Oct 8, 2025 • 9min
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.

Oct 3, 2025 • 51min
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.

Oct 1, 2025 • 8min
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.

Sep 26, 2025 • 51min
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.

Sep 24, 2025 • 6min
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.

Sep 19, 2025 • 51min
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.

Sep 17, 2025 • 8min
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.

Sep 12, 2025 • 48min
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.

Sep 10, 2025 • 6min
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.