Sound Opinions

Latest Episodes:

2025 Songwriting Prize Winners Jun 25, 2025

Show notes

In this bonus podcast, Jim and Greg speak with the winners of the third annual Sound Opinions Songwriting Prize. These Columbia College Chicago students receive scholarship funds thanks to the Walter and Karla Goldschmidt Foundation.

Sarai Cheek - Static Line

Maddy Mastrine - Give Me the Flask

Alicia Maka - This Too Shall Pass

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Brian Wilson & Pet Sounds Jun 20, 2025

Show notes

Hosts Jim DeRogatis and Greg Kot pay tribute to the late musical genius Brian Wilson, who died at age 82. They’ll discuss Wilson’s transcendent music, including doing a deep dive on his masterpiece, Pet Sounds.

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Featured Songs:

The Beach Boys, "I Just Wasn't Made For These Times," Pet Sounds, Capitol, 1966

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

The Beach Boys, "In My Room," Surfer Girl, Capitol, 1963

The Beach Boys, "Lonely Sea," Surfin' USA, Capitol, 1963

The Beach Boys, "Don't Worry Baby," Shut Down Volume 2, Capitol, 1964

The Beach Boys, "Surf's Up," Surf's Up, Brother/Reprise, 1971

The Beach Boys, "Still I Dream of It (Original Home Demo, 1976)," Good Vibrations:

Thirty Years of the Beach Boys, Capitol, 1993

The Beach Boys, "Sloop John B," Pet Sounds, Capitol, 1966

The Four Freshman, "I Remember You," Four Freshmen and 5 Trombones, Capitol, 1955

The Gamblers, "LSD-25," Moon Dawg!/LSD-25, World Pacific, 1960

The Beach Boys, "I'm Waiting for the Day," Pet Sounds, Capitol, 1966

The Beach Boys, "Don't Talk (Put Your Head on My Shoulder)," Pet Sounds, Capitol, 1966

The Beach Boys, "Let's Go Away for Awhile," Pet Sounds, Capitol, 1966

The Beach Boys, "Caroline No," Pet Sounds, Capitol, 1966

The Beach Boys, "You Still Believe in Me," Pet Sounds, Capitol, 1966

The Beach Boys, "Pet Sounds," Pet Sounds, Capitol, 1966

The Beach Boys, "Hang On to Your Ego," Pet Sounds, Capitol, 1966

The Beach Boys, "That's Not Me," Pet Sounds, Capitol, 1966

The Beach Boys, "God Only Knows," Pet Sounds, Capitol, 1966

The Beach Boys, "Little Deuce Coupe," Pet Sounds, Capitol, 1966

The Beatles, "Nowhere Man," Rubber Soul, Parlophone, 1965

The Beatles, "She's Leaving Home," Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band, Parlophone, 1967

Horsegirl, "2468," Phonetics On and On, Matador, 2025

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2025 Photography Prize Winners Jun 18, 2025

Show notes

In this bonus podcast, Jim and Greg speak with the winners of the second annual Sound Opinions Photo Prize. These Columbia College Chicago students receive scholarship funds thanks to the Walter and Karla Goldschmidt Foundation.

Nyla Lawson's Portfolio

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RIP Sly Stone Jun 13, 2025

Show notes

Hosts Jim DeRogatis and Greg Kot pay tribute to the late Sly Stone. They review Sly Stone's documentary and memoir, revisit an interview with Family Stone members Jerry Martini and Cynthia Robinson and share some of their favorite tracks from Sly.

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Featured Songs:

Sly and the Family Stone, "Thank You (Falettinme Be Mice Elf Agin)," Thank You (Falettinme Be Mice Elf Agin) (Single), Epic, 1969

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

The Stewart Four, "On The Battlefield," (Single), Church of God in Christ, 1952

Sly and the Family Stone, "Plastic Jim," Life, ,

Sly and the Family Stone, "Dance To The Music," Dance To The Music, Epic, 1968

Sly and the Family Stone, "I Ain't Got Nobody (For Real)," Dance To The Music, Epic, 1968

Sly and the Family Stone, "Advice," A Whole New Thing, Epic, 1967

Sly and the Family Stone, "I Hate To Love Her," A Whole New Thing, Epic, 1967

Ike and Tina Turner, "Bold Soul Sister," The Hunter, Blue Thumb, 1969

The Roots, "Star/Pointro," The Tipping Point, Geffen, 2004

Bobby Freeman, "C'mon and Swim," C'mon and Swim (Single), Autumn, 1964

Sly and the Family Stone, "Family Affair," There's A Riot Goin' On, Epic, 1971

Sly and the Family Stone, "Hot Fun in the Summertime," Hot Fun in the Summertime (Single), Epic, 1969

Sly and the Family Stone, "Thank You For Talking To Me Africa," There's A Riot Goin' On, Epic, 1971

Sly and the Family Stone, "Brave and Strong," There's A Riot Goin' On, Epic, 1971

Sly and the Family Stone, "You Can Make It If You Try (Live)," Stand!, Epic, 1969

Sly and the Family Stone, "We Love All," Dance To The Music (2007 version), Epic, 1968

Sly and the Family Stone, "Color Me True," Dance To The Music (Single), Epic, 1968

FKA Twigs, "Eusexua," Eusexua, Atlantic, 2025

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2025 Sound Opinions Writing Prize Winners Jun 11, 2025

Show notes

In this bonus podcast, Jim and Greg speak with the winners of the fourth annual Sound Opinions Writing Prize. These Columbia College Chicago students receive scholarship funds thanks to the Walter and Karla Goldschmidt Foundation.

Amy Fisher

Rosalie Gengras

Zink

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Regrettable Band Names Jun 06, 2025

Show notes

Hosts Jim DeRogatis and Greg Kot talk with writer Kyle Ryan about his Substack, Band Name Bureau. They explore the overlap between good music and poorly named bands. A selection of examples are discussed and played.

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Featured Songs:

Pigs Pigs Pigs Pigs Pigs Pigs Pigs, "GNT," King of Cowards, Rocket, 2018

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

Screeching Weasel, "Cool Kids," Bark Like A Dog, Fat Wreck Chords, 1996

OMBIIGIZI, "Connecting," Shame, Arts & Crafts, 2024

Winona Fighter, "I'm In The Market To Please No One," My Apologies to the Chef, Rise, 2025

Bikini Trill, "Pushing Daisies," (Single), Ineffable, 2024

Teen Jesus and the Jean Teasers, "I Used To Be Fun," I Love You, Domestic La La, 2023

Fartbarf, "Simple Planet," (Single), Sweatband, 2020

Ned's Atomic Dustbin, "Gray Cell Green," God Fodder, Columbia, 1991

Ass Ponys, "Kung Fu Reference," Lohio, Checkered Past, 2001

Butthole Surfers, "The Hurdy Gurdy Man," (Single), Rough Trade, 1990

Pigs Pigs Pigs Pigs Pigs Pigs Pigs, "Glib Tongued," Death Hilarious, Missing Piece, 2025

Electronic, "Getting Away With It," (Single), Factory, 1989

Local H, "Bound For The Floor," As Good As Dead, Island, 1996

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The Avante-Garde Legend of Bahia Jun 04, 2025

Show notes

In this bonus episode, Greg adds a song to the Desert Island Jukebox—one that came back to him after watching the Brazilian film "I'm Still Here".

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RIP Jill Sobule, Plus Opinions on tUnE-yArDs, Pelican & Shamir May 30, 2025

Show notes

Hosts Jim DeRogatis and Greg Kot pay tribute to the late singer-songwriter Jill Sobule. They revisit their 2009 conversation with Jill where they discuss her music and being a pioneer for crowdfunding art. They also review the new music from Shamir, Pelican and tUnE-yArDs.

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Featured Songs:

Jill Sobule, "Supermodel," Jill Sobule, Lava, 1995

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

Tune-Yards, "Heartbreak," Better Dreaming, 4AD, 2025

Tune-Yards, "Limelight," Better Dreaming, 4AD, 2025

Tune-Yards, "See You There," Better Dreaming, 4AD, 2025

Tune-Yards, "Never Look Back," Better Dreaming, 4AD, 2025

Tune-Yards, "Sanctuary," Better Dreaming, 4AD, 2025

Pelican, "Evergreen," Flickering Resonance, Run for Cover, 2025

Pelican, "Flickering Stillness," Flickering Resonance, Run for Cover, 2025

Pelican, "Pining For Ever," Flickering Resonance, Run for Cover, 2025

Pelican, "Cascading Crescent," Flickering Resonance, Run for Cover, 2025

Pelican, "Indelible," Flickering Resonance, Run for Cover, 2025

Shamir, "Neverwannago," Ten, Kill Rock Stars, 2025

Shamir, "Recording 291," Ten, Kill Rock Stars, 2025

Shamir, "Pin," Ten, Kill Rock Stars, 2025

Jill Sobule, "I Kissed a Girl," Jill Sobule, Lava, 1995

Jill Sobule, "Palm Springs (Live on Sound Opinions)," California Years, MRI, 2009

Jill Sobule, "San Francisco," California Years, MRI, 2009

Katy Perry, "I Kissed a Girl," One of the Boys, Capitol, 2008

Jill Sobule, "Nothing to Prove (Live on Sound Opinions)," California Years, MRI, 2009

Jill Sobule, "Wendell Lee (Live on Sound Opinions)," California Years, MRI, 2009

Diarrhea Planet, "Separations," I'm Rich Beyond Your Wildest Dreams, Infinite Cat, 2013

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The Ubu Ultimatum May 28, 2025

Show notes

Following our tributes to David Thomas and Peter Laughner of Pere Ubu, Jims rounds out the trilogy with a song by another of the band's members.

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Introducing: One By Willie May 27, 2025

Show notes

Each week, music writer John Spong talks to one notable Willie Nelson fan about one Willie song that they love, leading to highly personal looks at the life, art, and legend of a genuine American folk hero. Listen here.

New Yorker music critic Amanda Petrusich looks at the other big hit off Willie and Merle Haggard’s classic 1983 Pancho & Lefty album, “Reasons to Quit.” It’s a classic Haggard drinking song, but a little more pensive than most, and Amanda reframes it—and really, all of Pancho & Lefty—as an example of what she calls the Outlaw’s Conundrum, i.e. what’s an old rebel to do when the time comes to settle down? Then we get into the all-star band that backed Willie and Merle on the record and, in a particularly insightful interlude, the specific ways sad songs can help people when life feels like too much to bear.

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