Sound Opinions

Buried Treasures, RIP Dolly Parton

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

A Playful Post-Punk Romp

In this bonus episode, Jim spotlights what he claims is the second-best track ever to feature handclaps. Join our Facebook Group: https://bit.ly/3sivr9T Become a member

Melissa Auf der Maur (Hole, The Smashing Pumpkins) & Opinions on Steve Lacy

This week, hosts Jim DeRogatis and Greg Kot talk with musician and author Melissa Auf der Maur. In 1994, Melissa was suddenly thrust into the spotlight when she joined Ho

RIP William Orbit, the Producer Behind Ray of Light

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. Join our Facebook Group:

Courtney Barnett, Opinions on Phoebe Bridgers & Twisted Teens

After Australian singer-songwriter Courtney Barnett released her 2015 album Sometimes I Sit and Think and Sometimes I Just Sit, she quickly became a top tier indie rock a

RIP Jennifer Finch of L7

In this bonus episode, Jim pays tribute to L7 bassist Jennifer Finch, a key figure in the ’90s alternative-rock scene, who died July 18, 2026, at age 59. Join our Facebo

Shoegaze Genre Dissection

Hazy guitars, buried vocals and walls of distortion– the shoegaze sound may have peaked in the '90s, but it never really went away. This week, hosts Jim DeRogatis and Gre

RIP The Lyres' Jeff Conolly

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. Join our Faceb

Buddy Guy's 90th Birthday Celebration

To celebrate Buddy Guy's recent 90th birthday, hosts Jim DeRogatis and Greg Kot re-air their 2007 with the blues legend. They'll also give an update on what he's been up

Another History Lesson from Professor DeRogatis

In this bonus episode, Jim shares a song that ties back to his childhood fascination with the Alamo. Join our Facebook Group: https://bit.ly/3sivr9T Become a member on

Heartland Rock with Erin Osmon, RIP Glen Hansard

This week, hosts Jim DeRogatis and Greg Kot talk with author Erin Osmon about her new book on "heartland rock." She argues that artists like John Mellencamp and Tom Petty

From Demo to Classic

In this bonus episode, Greg tells the story of a classic song that took the perfect voice to become a hit. Join our Facebook Group: https://bit.ly/3sivr9T Become a memb

Summer Review Roundup: Jack White, Olivia Rodrigo, Margo Price, Robyn Hitchcock & Swamp Dogg

This week, hosts Jim DeRogatis and Greg Kot dig into a record review roundup full of summertime releases. The hosts discuss new albums from Olivia Rodrigo, Jack White, Ma

RIP Glen Hansard

In 2008 Glen Hansard and Markéta Irglová performed their soon-to-be Oscar winning song "Falling Slowly" on Sound Opinions. As an act of mourning Glen Hansard's tragic dea

RIP Steve Almaas of Beat Rodeo

In this bonus episode, Jim pays tribute to country-rock hero Steve Almaas, whom he first encountered during his Hoboken, New Jersey days. Almaas, a member of the Suicide

Chinese Hip Hop

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 lis

RIP James Blood Ulmer

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. Join our Fa

The Feelies' "The Good Earth"

The Feelies were never a household name, but their jangly guitars and propulsive rhythms helped shape generations of indie rock. In the second installment of a two-part C

Lucy Dacus Goes Symphonic

Lucy Dacus joins co-senior producer Alex Claiborne to discuss her July 19 special performance with the Chicago Philharmonic at Millennium Park. They talk about reimaginin

The Feelies' "Crazy Rhythms"

The Feelies were never a household name, but their jangly guitars and propulsive rhythms helped shape generations of indie rock. In this first installment of a two-part C