Sound Opinions

Latest Episodes:

Fall Review Roundup: Opinions on Neil Young, This is Lorelei, Michael Kiwanuka & More Oct 16, 2026

Show notes

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 Chrome, guitarist for the Dead Boys and Rocket from the Tombs, and hear from some listeners.

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Featured Songs:

This Is Lorelei, "Billy Came Back," The Singer In My Band, Matador, 2026

The Beatles, "With A Little Help From My Friends," Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band, Parlophone, 1967

Neil Young & The Chrome Hearts, "Second Song," Second Song, Reprise, 2026

Neil Young & The Chrome Hearts, "Casting Me Away From You," Second Song, Reprise, 2026

Neil Young & The Chrome Hearts, "I'll Love You Forever," Second Song, Reprise, 2026

Neil Young & The Chrome Hearts, "Day After Day," Second Song, Reprise, 2026

Neil Young & The Chrome Hearts, "Earth Girl," Second Song, Reprise, 2026

Chaka Khan, "Always Love the Challenge," Chakzilla, EarthSong and BMG, 2026

Chaka Khan, "Curious Subject," Chakzilla, EarthSong and BMG, 2026

Chaka Khan, "Cool You Down (feat. Sia)," Chakzilla, EarthSong and BMG, 2026

Chaka Khan, "Now and Forever," Chakzilla, EarthSong and BMG, 2026

This Is Lorelei, "Oh No Now My," The Singer In My Band, Matador, 2026

This Is Lorelei, "The Singer in My Band," The Singer In My Band, Matador, 2026

Michael Kiwanuka, "Summer Clothes," Fudge, Polydor, 2026

Michael Kiwanuka, "Love In My Heart," Fudge, Polydor, 2026

Michael Kiwanuka, "Steve's Paradise," Fudge, Polydor, 2026

The Tubs, "Who's Gonna Love You Now," Hard Life, Merge, 2026

The Tubs, "Heaven or London," Hard Life, Merge, 2026

The Tubs, "If You Don't Love Me," Hard Life, Merge, 2026

The Tubs, "Do Yourself a Favor," Hard Life, Merge, 2026

Rocket from the Tombs, "Ain't it Fun (Live)," The Day The Earth Met The...(Live From Punk Ground Zero, Cleveland 1975), Smog Veil, 2002

Rocket from the Tombs, "Sonic Reducer," Black Record, Fire, 2015

Sweeping Promises, "Accent," You Say I Romanticize, Sub Pop, 2026

Neil Young, "Imagine," America: A Tribute to Heroes, Interscope, 2001

AFI, "Fall Children," All Hallow's E.P., Nitro, 1999

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Musical Comedy with Kyle Gordon Oct 14, 2026

Show notes

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.

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John Prine Revisited at 80 Oct 09, 2026

Show notes

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 with the songwriter from 2018 and dissect his debut album with author Erin Osmon.

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Featured Songs:

John Prine, "How Lucky," Pink Cadillac, Elektra, 1979

John Prine, "Illegal Smile," John Prine, Atlantic, 1971

John Prine, "Sour Grapes," Diamonds in the Rough, Atlantic, 1972

Steve Goodman, "City of New Orleans," Steve Goodman, Buddah, 1971

John Prine, "Hello In There," John Prine, Atlantic, 1971

New Lost City Ramblers, "No Depression In Heaven," Songs from the Depression , Smithsonian Folkways, 1959

The Carter Family, "The Wandering Boy," The Wandering Boy (Single), Victor, 1927

John Prine, "Sweet Revenge," Sweet Revenge, Atlantic, 1973

John Prine, "Speed of the Sound of Loneliness," German Afternoons, Oh Boy, 1986

John Prine, "If You Don't Want My Love," Bruised Orange, Asylum, 1978

John Prine, "God Only Knows," The Tree of Forgiveness, Oh Boy, 2018

John Prine, "Bad Boy," German Afternoons, Oh Boy, 1986

John Prine, "All The Best," The Missing Years, Oh Boy, 1991

John Prine, "Lake Marie," Lost Dogs + Mixed Blessings, Oh Boy, 1995

John Prine, "Your Flag Decal Won't Get You Into Heaven Anymore," John Prine, Atlantic, 1971

John Prine, "Boundless Love," The Tree of Forgiveness, Oh Boy, 2018

John Prine, "Angel From Montgomery," John Prine, Atlantic, 1971

John Prine, "Sam Stone," John Prine, Atlantic, 1971

John Prine, "Clay Pigeons," John Prine, Atlantic, 1971

John Prine, "Summer's End," The Tree of Forgiveness, Oh Boy, 2018

John Prine, "When I Get To Heaven," The Tree of Forgiveness, Oh Boy, 2018

John Prine, "Caravan of Fools," The Tree of Forgiveness, Oh Boy, 2018

John Prine, "Paradise," John Prine, Atlantic, 1971

This Is Lorelei, "Billy Came Back," The Singer In My Band, Matador, 2026

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RIP Cheetah Chrome Oct 07, 2026

Show notes

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.

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Ranking Rock Bands' Best and Worst Songs with Bill Wyman Oct 02, 2026

Show notes

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.

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Featured Songs:

The Beatles, "Good Day Sunshine," Revolver, Parlophone, 1966

The Beatles, "With a Little Help from My Friends," Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band, Parlophone, 1967

The Eagles, "Lyin' Eyes," One of These Nights, Asylum, 1975

Pink Floyd, "Atom Heart Mother," Atom Heart Mother, Harvest, 1970

Led Zeppelin, "Ramble On," Led Zeppelin II, Atlantic, 1969

Led Zeppelin, "Moby Dick," Led Zeppelin II, Atlantic, 1969

The Eagles, "Hotel California," Hotel California, Asylum, 1976

The Eagles, "Frail Grasp on the Big Picture," Long Road out of Eden, Eagles, 2007

Nirvana, "Smells Like Teen Spirit," Nevermind, DGC and Sub Pop, 1991

Nirvana, "Something in the Way," Nevermind, DGC and Sub Pop, 1991

Bruce Springsteen, "Outlaw Pete," Working on a Dream, Columbia, 2009

Pink Floyd, "Mother," The Wall, Columbia, 1979

Bob Dylan, "Shelter from the Storm," Blood on the Tracks, Columbia, 1975

Bob Dylan, "Tangled Up in Blue," Blood on the Tracks, Columbia, 1975

John Prine, "Angel from Montgomery," John Prine, Atlantic, 1971

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A Song So Great Even Muzak Couldn’t Ruin It Sep 30, 2026

Show notes

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.

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Phoebe Bridgers Plus Opinions on Westside Cowboy Sep 25, 2026

Show notes

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 Phoebe, which includes never-before-aired content. They discuss her debut album, songwriting prowess and impact on music. They’ll also review the debut album from Westside Cowboy.

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Featured Songs:

Phoebe Bridgers, "Lost Boys," Lost Weekend, Dead Oceans, 2026

The Beatles, "With a Little Help from My Friends," Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band, Parlophone, 1967

Westside Cowboy, "Kick Stones (The Boys)," It Goes On, Island, 2026

Westside Cowboy, "Pin Up Boys," It Goes On, Island, 2026

Westside Cowboy, "Coyote," It Goes On, Island, 2026

Westside Cowboy, "Paperchains," It Goes On, Island, 2026

Westside Cowboy, "Worried Age," It Goes On, Island, 2026

Phoebe Bridgers, "Scott Street (Live on Sound Opinions)," Stranger in the Alps, Dead Oceans, 2017

Phoebe Bridgers, "Funeral," Stranger in the Alps, Dead Oceans, 2017

Phoebe Bridgers, "Chelsea," Stranger in the Alps, Dead Oceans, 2017

Phoebe Bridgers, "Steamroller," Killer, Pax Americana, 2015

Phoebe Bridgers, "Killer (Live on Sound Opinions)," Stranger in the Alps, Dead Oceans, 2017

Phoebe Bridgers, "Demi Moore," Stranger in the Alps, Dead Oceans, 2017

Phoebe Bridgers, "Killer," Stranger in the Alps, Dead Oceans, 2017

Phoebe Bridgers, "Smoke Signals (Live on Sound Opinions)," Stranger in the Alps, Dead Oceans, 2017

Angelo Badalamenti, "Twin Peaks Theme (Instrumental)," Soundtrack from Twin Peaks, Warner Bros., 1990

Neil Young, "The Needle and the Damage Done," Harvest, Reprise, 1972

Radiohead, "Fake Plastic Trees," The Bends, EMI, 1995

Phoebe Bridgers, "You Missed My Heart," Stranger in the Alps, Dead Oceans, 2017

Phoebe Bridgers, "Motion Sickness (Live on Sound Opinions)," Stranger in the Alps, Dead Oceans, 2017

The Beatles, "A Day in the Life," Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band, Parlophone, 1967

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A Tribute and an Apology to Vic Chesnutt Sep 23, 2026

Show notes

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.

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"Soul Man" and "Hold On, I'm Comin'" Songwriter David Porter, Plus Opinions on Alabama Shakes Sep 18, 2026

Show notes

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 Memphis into one of the greatest record labels in American history. The hosts also review the new album from Alabama Shakes.

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Featured Songs:

Sam & Dave, "I Thank You," I Thank You, Atlantic, 1968

The Beatles, "With a Little Help from My Friends," Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band, Parlophone, 1967

Alabama Shakes, "Another Life," I Must Be Dreaming, Island, 2026

Alabama Shakes, "Waist Deep," I Must Be Dreaming, Island, 2026

Alabama Shakes, "Tea Time," I Must Be Dreaming, Island, 2026

Alabama Shakes, "Garden," I Must Be Dreaming, Island, 2026

Sam & Dave, "Soul Man," Soul Men, Stax, 1967

Johnnie Taylor, "I Had A Dream," Wanted: One Soul Singer, Stax, 1967

Clyde McPhatter, "A Lover's Question," (Single), Atlantic, 1958

Bing Crosby, "The Old Grey Mare," On The Sentimental Side, Collectors' Choice Music, 2010

Rufus Thomas, "Cause I Love You," Walking The Dog, Stax, 1963

Sam & Dave, "A Place Nobody Can Find," (Single), Stax, 1965

Sam & Dave, "You Don't Know Like I Know," (Single), Stax, 1966

The Soul Children, "Give 'Em Love," Soul Children, Stax, 1969

Albert King, "Personal Manager," Born Under A Bad Sign, Stax, 1967

Phoebe Bridgers, "Lost Boys," Lost Weekend, Dead Oceans, 2026

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Grocery Store Muzak Reminds Greg of a Great 1989 R&B Hit Sep 16, 2026

Show notes

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.

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