Sound Opinions

Latest episodes

Showing 20 · updated from the feed

The Essential Elliott Smith Songs, Plus Opinions on Fontaines D.C. & RIP Juan Adkins

Hosts Jim DeRogatis and Greg Kot are joined by Jamie Fisher, author of Nobody Broke Your Heart: An Intimate Biography of Elliott Smith. Jamie traces the turning points in

Nov 13
50 min

A Genre-Defying French Duo

In this bonus episode, Jim digs into his Desert Island Jukebox for a track by a duo he calls “France’s answer to Sparks.” Join our Facebook Group: https://bit.ly/3sivr9T

Nov 11
6 min

Stevie Wonder's "Songs in the Key of Life" 50th Anniversary

It’s been 50 years since Stevie Wonder released his masterpiece "Songs in the Key of Life." This week, hosts Jim DeRogatis and Greg Kot revisit their dissection of the do

Nov 6
50 min

A Jazz Giant's Supreme Achievement

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

Nov 4
6 min

Chuck Berry at 100

On the occasion of his 100th birthday, hosts Jim DeRogatis and Greg Kot pay tribute to Chuck Berry. They talk with writers Ed Ward and RJ Smith to assess Berry's place in

Oct 30
50 min

An Overlooked Band Finally Gets Its Due

In this bonus episode, Jim shares a band you may know through covers of their songs, even if you’ve never heard the originals. A recent reissue from Third Man Records giv

Oct 28
5 min

Trixie Mattel is the Queen of Halloween!

Sound Opinions senior producer Alex Claiborne has a conversation with drag queen, DJ and singer-songwriter Trixie Mattel. They discuss the process of making her Halloween

Oct 23
30 min

A Sound Opinions Halloween!

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

Oct 23
50 min

Much More Than a One-Hit Wonder

In this bonus episode, Greg praises a proto-shoegaze band—and its reclusive singer—who never got the acclaim he thinks they deserved. Join our Facebook Group: https://bi

Oct 21
9 min

Fall Review Roundup: Opinions on Neil Young, This is Lorelei, Michael Kiwanuka & More

Hosts Jim DeRogatis and Greg Kot review some new albums from Michael Kiwanuka, Neil Young, Chaka Khan, The Tubs and This is Lorelei. They also bid farewell to Cheetah Chr

Oct 16
50 min

Musical Comedy with Kyle Gordon

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

Oct 14
44 min

John Prine Revisited at 80

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. They revisit an interview w

Oct 9
50 min

RIP Cheetah Chrome

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. Join our Facebook Group: h

Oct 7
9 min

Ranking Rock Bands' Best and Worst Songs with Bill Wyman

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 wh

Oct 2
50 min

A Song So Great Even Muzak Couldn’t Ruin It

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. Join our Facebook Group:

Sep 30
7 min

Phoebe Bridgers Plus Opinions on Westside Cowboy

In 2026, Phoebe Bridgers is one of the biggest artists in the world. This week, hosts Jim DeRogatis and Greg Kot revisit their 2018 interview and live performance with Ph

Sep 25
50 min

A Tribute and an Apology to Vic Chesnutt

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 sel

Sep 23
11 min

"Soul Man" and "Hold On, I'm Comin'" Songwriter David Porter, Plus Opinions on Alabama Shakes

Hosts Jim DeRogatis and Greg Kot interview legendary soul songwriter David Porter, about his memoir, Soul Man. He recounts his pivotal role in turning Stax Records in Mem

Sep 18
50 min

Grocery Store Muzak Reminds Greg of a Great 1989 R&B Hit

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. Join our Facebook

Sep 16
7 min

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

Sep 11
48 min

Chart trend

Position in the Music chart (US), last 90 days.

#1#61#121AugSepOctNov

#26

all-time peak

112

days in the top 50 since Nov 2024

Chart positions

Where Sound Opinions ranks today in each Apple Podcasts chart (US, Nov 13, 2026).

#52 ▼ 15 Music US

What listeners say

A curated, balanced selection of Apple Podcasts reviews.

Sound Opinions is a staple of my music diet to find new music (which this show delivers in spades), as well as discover artists I missed and deepen my knowledge and appreciation of artists and their influences. Moreover, I really enjoy the hosts. It’s a remarkable show.

Chrisdrn · Jan 2023

The original music geeks. These guys love talking music the good and the bad. You don’t have to be a music nerd to enjoy their conversations and you might be introduced to some new sounds. 5⭐️

MFcreep · Nov 2021

Every once in awhile these guys really nail it, and some of the segments are great. However, doesn't get nearly as deep as a Trap Set, ProtonicReversal, Kreative Kontrol. A fine place to start, as high production values make it easy to listen to (even with annoying sponsor messages) but please dig deeper than Sound Opinions if you are a true music obsessive.

H.Hayden · Sep 2020

Just discovered this podcast and love everything about it. Jim & Greg are excellent. The kind of guys you could talk to for hours on end about great music. Looking forward to hearing some of their older episodes

Shabaebae · Sep 2020

Really poor sound quality - inexcusable that one participant is super loud and others barely audible - sick of having to turn it up and down dozens of time per episode. DON’T YOU HAVE A PRODUCER AND ENGINEER being such an established show??

Chamilto · Jan 2022

I realize that Sound Opinions is a radio show that needs to follow the rules of the FCC, thus bleeping out profanity. But they should provide an Explicit version of the podcast so adult music fans who aren't easily offended, can listen to the included songs the way the artists intended! Also, they often repost past episodes without marking them as "rebroadcasts". For instance, "Give the Drummer Some" has been reposted twice. It's not a major issue, but it would be helpful to tag these episodes and list the original air date. Typically, I can tell by the hosts' higher-pitched voices, lol!

Bikrrr · May 2024

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