Sound Opinions

Latest episodes

Showing 20 · updated from the feed

A Sound Opinions Halloween!

#30 trending · Music

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

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

Sep 9
5 min

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

Sep 4
50 min

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:

Sep 2
7 min

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

Aug 28
49 min

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

Aug 26
6 min

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

Aug 21
50 min

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

Aug 19
6 min

Chart trend

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

#1#61#121JulAugSepOct

#26

all-time peak

105

days in the top 50 since Nov 2024

Chart positions

Where Sound Opinions ranks today in each Apple Podcasts chart (US, Oct 23, 2026).

#76 ▼ 7 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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