Sound Opinions

Latest Episodes:

Heartland Rock with Erin Osmon, RIP Glen Hansard Aug 07, 2026

Show notes

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 filled stadiums in the 1980s, but also pushed back against the politics of the Reagan era. The hosts also pay tribute to Irish troubadour Glen Hansard.

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Featured Songs:

Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers, "I Won't Back Down," Full Moon Fever, MCA, 1989

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

The Frames, "Fitzcarraldo," Fitzcarraldo, ZTT, 1995

The Swell Season, "Falling Slowly (Live On Sound Opinions)," Swell Season, Overcoat, 2006

Bruce Springsteen, "Born In The U.S.A.," Born In The U.S.A., Columbia, 1984

John Cougar Mellencamp, "Pink Houses," Uh-Huh, Riva, 1983

Bob Seger & The Silver Bullet Band, "Like A Rock," Like A Rock, Capitol, 1986

Neil Young, "Keep On Rockin' In The Free World (Live on SNL)," Freedom, Reprise, 1989

Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers, "Don't Come Around Here No More," Southern Accents, MCA, 1985

Bonnie Raitt, "Nick Of Time," Nick Of Time, Capitol, 1989

Stephen Wilson Jr., "Gary," (Single), Big Loud, 2026

Don Henley, "The Boys of Summer," Building the Perfect Beast, Geffen, 1984

John Cougar Mellencamp, "Rain on the Scarecrow," Scarecrow, Riva, 1986

Buddy Guy, "Baby Please Don't Leave Me," Sweet Tea, Silvertone, 2001

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From Demo to Classic Aug 05, 2026

Show notes

In this bonus episode, Greg tells the story of a classic song that took the perfect voice to become a hit.

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Summer Review Roundup: Jack White, Olivia Rodrigo, Margo Price, Robyn Hitchcock & Swamp Dogg Jul 31, 2026

Show notes

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, Margo Price, Robyn Hitchcock, and Swamp Dogg.

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Featured Songs:

Robyn Hitchcock, "Yesterday's Rain," The Confuser, TINY GHOST, 2026

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

Olivia Rodrigo, "Drop Dead," You Seem Pretty Sad for a Girl So in Love, Geffen, 2026

Olivia Rodrigo, "Purple," You Seem Pretty Sad for a Girl So in Love, Geffen, 2026

Olivia Rodrigo, "What's Wrong with Me," You Seem Pretty Sad for a Girl So in Love, Geffen, 2026

Jack White, "G.O.D. and the Broken Ribs," Frozen Charlotte, Third Man, 2026

Jack White, "Neighbors Blues," Frozen Charlotte, Third Man, 2026

Jack White, "Derecho Demonico," Frozen Charlotte, Third Man, 2026

Jack White, "Dollar Bill," Frozen Charlotte, Third Man, 2026

Margo Price, "San Marcos," Days of Unrest, Loma Vista, 2026

Margo Price, "Oval Room," Days of Unrest, Loma Vista, 2026

Margo Price, "Long Haired Country Girl (featuring Billy Swan)," Days of Unrest, Loma Vista, 2026

Margo Price, "Deportee (Plane Wreck at Los Gatos) (featuring Joan Baez & Memphis Mariachi)," Days of Unrest, Loma Vista, 2026

Robyn Hitchcock, "I Am This Thing," The Confuser, Tiny Ghost, 2026

Robyn Hitchcock, "Building From The Ruins," The Confuser, Tiny Ghost, 2026

Robyn Hitchcock, "My Dead Astronaut," The Confuser, Tiny Ghost, 2026

Robyn Hitchcock, "Breathless," The Confuser, Tiny Ghost, 2026

Swamp Dogg, "Waka Waka Waka (feat. Gary U.S. Bonds)," Swamp Dogg Contemplates the Afterlife, S-Curve, 2026

Swamp Dogg, "Searching For Heaven," Swamp Dogg Contemplates the Afterlife, S-Curve, 2026

Swamp Dogg, "Please Don't Bury Me," Swamp Dogg Contemplates the Afterlife, S-Curve, 2026

The Feelies, "Slipping (Into Something)," The Good Earth, Rough Trade, 1986

The Feelies, "Slipping (Into Something) (Live at 40 Watt Club, Athen, GA)," The Good Earth, Rough Trade, 1986

Texas Tornados, "(Hey Baby) Que Pasó," Texas Tornados, Reprise, 1990

Neil Young, "Old Man," Harvest, Reprise, 1972

Tom Petty, "I Won't Back Down," Full Moon Fever, MCA, 1989

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RIP Glen Hansard Jul 30, 2026

Show notes

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 death on July 29, we're sharing that interview and performance with The Swell Season here.

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RIP Steve Almaas of Beat Rodeo Jul 29, 2026

Show notes

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 Commandos and Beat Rodeo, died on June 5, 2026, at the age of 69.

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Chinese Hip Hop Jul 24, 2026

Show notes

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 listeners. They’ll highlight some key artists and tracks, as well as put the music into the larger context.

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Featured Songs:

Kafe.Hu, "Be Free," Kafreeman, Modern Sky, 2017

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

Higher Brothers and Famous Dex, "Made In China (Prod. Richie Souf)," Black Cab, 88rising, 2017

Skai Isyourgod, "Stacks from All Sides," Stacks from All Sides, Showstart Release, 2024

In3, "Beijing Evening News," Unknown Artist, In3 Family, 2008

Bohan Phoenix, "3 DAYS IN CHENGDU," JALA, loveloveNYC, 2017

VAVA, "My New Swag (feat. Ty. & Nina Wang)," Crazy Rich Asians (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack), Warner Bros., 2017

Bohan Phoenix, "NO HOOK (feat. Higher Brothers)," JALA, loveloveNYC, 2017

Kafe.Hu, "Fire," Kafreeman, Modern Sky, 2017

Jack White, "G.O.D. And The Broken Ribs," Frozen Charlotte, Third Man, 2026

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RIP James Blood Ulmer Jul 22, 2026

Show notes

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.

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The Feelies' "The Good Earth" Jul 17, 2026

Show notes

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 Classic Album Dissection, hosts Jim DeRogatis and Greg Kot take a deep dive into the band’s second album, The Good Earth.

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Featured Songs:

The Feelies, "The Good Earth," The Good Earth, Coyote, 1986

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

The Feelies, "Raised Eyebrows," Crazy Rhythms, Stiff, 1980

The Feelies, "Slow Down," The Good Earth, Coyote, 1986

The Feelies, "Outdoor Miner (Live on Sound Opinions)," NA, unreleased, 2008

The Feelies, "Paint It Black (Live on Sound Opinions)," NA, unreleased, 2008

The Feelies, "Slipping (Into Something)," The Good Earth, Coyote, 1986

The Feelies, "Fame (Live in Something Wild)," NA, unreleased, 1986

The Feelies, "The High Road (Live on Sound Opinions)," The Good Earth, Coyote, 1986

The Feelies, "When Company Comes," The Good Earth, Coyote, 1986

The Feelies and Yo La Tengo, "Sister Ray (Live)," NA, unreleased, 2023

In3, "Beijing Evening News," Unknown Artists, self-released, 2008

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Lucy Dacus Goes Symphonic Jul 15, 2026

Show notes

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 reimagining songs from "Forever Is a Feeling" with orchestral arrangements, her deep ties to the Chicago area, pushing herself creatively, and the future of Boygenius.

Lucy Dacus Millennium Park Tickets: https://www.axs.com/events/1389763/lucy-dacus-with-the-chicago-philharmonic-at-millennium-park-tickets?__cf_chl_f_tk=JzCNj_NnwbA0Wg5IQGVWPEzXO6OrPMIQkojv.5Xz7OQ-1784055265-1.0.1.1-.7S2acFCaI.ppg6crnaLmsgzYZ6EUXQsAFc0LEcC78Q

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The Feelies' "Crazy Rhythms" Jul 10, 2026

Show notes

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 Classic Album Dissection, hosts Jim DeRogatis and Greg Kot take a deep dive into the band’s influential debut album, Crazy Rhythms.

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Featured Songs:

The Feelies, "The Boy with the Perpetual Nervousness," Crazy Rhythms, Stiff, 1980

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

The Feelies, "Moscow Nights," Crazy Rhythms, Stiff, 1980

The Feelies, "Loveless Love," Crazy Rhythms, Stiff, 1980

The Feelies, "Forces at Work," Crazy Rhythms, Stiff, 1980

The Feelies, "Crazy Rhythms (Live on Sound Opinions)," Crazy Rhythms, Stiff, 1980

The Feelies, "Raised Eyebrows," Crazy Rhythms, Stiff, 1980