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Music criticism programming for people who love music!
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Whether you're an expert, or just a casual fan, *Sound Opinions* is your source for smart and engaging music criticism and conversation. Each week on the show, nationally respected rock critics and interview artists, talk about pop culture and music industry news, review new record releases and give trends a historical context. And, because on *Sound Opinions*, "everyone's a
critic," listeners are invited to join in the debate.
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Believe it or not, Prince's blockbuster album Purple Rain turns 40-years-old this month. To mark the occasion, the guys give Purple Rain the Classic Album Dissection treatment. They talk to former Revolution members Wendy Melvoin and Lisa Coleman about their relationship with Prince and the making of the album. Listen now: https://bit.ly/45NMuWC
Music by Wendy Melvoin and Lisa Coleman
Jim writes about a new segment added to our original show picking some of our favorites of Prince’s posthumous releases. "By my count, since his death in 2016, there have been 11 official albums or new editions of classics beefed up with additional tracks. And there are reportedly still 100 unreleased collections in the vault. The artist was nothing if not prolific." Read more:
https://bit.ly/3xFvDc8
Congratulations to the winner of the Sound Opinions Pitchfork Ticket Giveaway - Reegan Johnson!
Jim talks with critic Niko Stratis about an error in a recent bonus episode on the song "Lola." The conversation goes from there to consider the representation of transgender people over the years in the work of artists like Lou Reed and Against Me!. Listen to the bonus episode: https://apple.co/3RMkMUA
The year 2024 is halfway over, and there has already been a plethora of exciting, inspired and relevant new releases. The guys are sharing their favorite albums of 2024 so far: https://bit.ly/4blVZO7
The guys revisit their classic album dissection of Carole King’s “Tapestry" and speak with poet Toni Stern, who contributed lyrics to “It’s Too Late” and “Where You Lead.” They also chat with guitarist Danny Kortchmar and drummer Russ Kunkel about their contributions to "Tapestry." Listen now: https://bit.ly/4ccgDBC
Greg adds a track to the Desert Island Jukebox from a groundbreaking q***r artist who had a huge influence on the development of rock 'n' roll. Listen now: https://bit.ly/3Xwvj9Y
Trouser Press was a must-read for kids who wanted more music coverage than the mainstream music mags deemed worthy in 1974-84. Greg breaks down how Ira Robbins' pioneering work continued in a series of Trouser Press record guides, starting in 1983. Read more: https://bit.ly/3KPBFda
Chicago's beloved independent music festival returns to Union Park on July 19-21 and Sound Opinions is giving away a pair of 3-day general admission passes - deadline is Friday June 28th. Comment below and provide your full name for a chance to win!
Pitchfork Music Festival
The guys talk with Ira Robbins, cofounder of Trouser Press magazine, which inspired a generation of underground music writers. “Zip It Up” collects the best writing from the magazine’s 10-year run. Plus, the hosts review new music from Billie Eilish and Shellac. Listen now: https://bit.ly/3VKrmgy
Jim writes about the different approaches Joni Mitchell and Carole King each took toward championing female empowerment. Read more: https://bit.ly/3VkLAMK
More than 50 years ago, singer-songwriter Joni Mitchell released what became her signature album, “Blue.“ The record is full of complex lyrics, gorgeous guitar and deeply personal themes. The guys do a classic album dissection of “Blue,“ sharing the context of the record, exploring its lasting impact and looking in depth at its impressive track list. Listen now: https://bit.ly/4aTSZrX
Jim and Greg speak with two winners of the first annual Sound Opinions Photo Prize. These Columbia College Chicago students receive scholarship funds thanks to the Goldschmidt Foundation. Congrats to Emma Bolace, Sieanna Rowe and Sofie Doran Rasmussen! Listen now: https://bit.ly/4bPOEHz
Greg writes about his first impression of The Dream Syndicate. "When these Velvets-inspired acolytes played a Chicago gig for the first time, they lived up to their billing: they were noisy, confrontational and thrillingly adventurous." Read more: https://bit.ly/3V20OGa
What Steve said....
Hosts Jim DeRogatis and Greg Kot are joined by Steve Wynn of The Dream Syndicate for a deep dive into his early career. The hosts also review new albums by desert blues master Mdou Moctar and harmony magicians Finom.
Jim and Greg are joined by Steve Wynn of The Dream Syndicate for a deep dive into his early career. Wynn shares some stories about their early scenemates The Bangles. The guys also review new albums by desert blues master Mdou Moctar and harmony magicians Finom. Listen now: https://bit.ly/3X6qhkn
Greg adds a track to the Desert Island Jukebox in honor of Duane Eddy, one of the godfathers of electric guitar, who died in April. Listen to the full bonus episode now: https://bit.ly/3wT8YbY
Jim recalls a letter Steve Albini sent him after their fallout over Urge Overkill in 1996 - "I don’t offend easily, and I don’t give a f**k what you or either member of your readership thinks of me...” Read more: https://bit.ly/3yDY5v0
There are always more quality albums than room on the charts for hits, so Jim and Greg make a habit of sharing new batches of buried treasures as often as possible. This time around, they're joined by their producers and include picks from around the world: https://bit.ly/4bpYdwG
Jim adds two versions of the same song about encountering a trans person to the Desert Island Jukebox: https://bit.ly/3KczdNy
The Kinks
The Raincoats
Greg writes about Us3’s “Cantaloop (Flip Fantasia),” a hit in 1992 that has yet to wear out its welcome: "It’s an homage of sorts to 'Canteloupe Island,' written by Herbie Hancock way back in 1964 for the then-24-year-old Chicagoan’s second album, Empyrean Isles." Read more: https://bit.ly/3QJZuXd
The guys talk with singer-songwriter / guitar shredder Mary Timony about her new album, “Untame The Tiger.” Timony talks about how making the album helped her get through many personal difficulties over the past five years. Listen to the full episode: https://bit.ly/3QOWHvY
Greg traces the evolution of one song that began with the great Herbie Hancock in 1964: https://bit.ly/4bDFUE8
Having a baby ranks third on the list of subject matter for songwriters, placing behind only falling in love and having your heart broken. Which songs about babies can you add to the Sound Opinions playlist? Read more: https://bit.ly/3y4I9BL
Jim and Greg pay tribute to musician, recording engineer, writer and Chicago legend Steve Albini, who died May 7 at the age of 61. They're also joined by their production staff to discuss Albini's cultural legacy. Listen now: https://bit.ly/3WAN8US
📷 (Paul Natkin/Getty Images)
As Team Sound Ops gears up to welcome a new member to our extended family—producer Alex Claiborne is set to give birth to her first child in a few weeks—picking some of our most inspired songs about babies was a no-brainer ranging from Loretta Lynn to Brian Eno. Listen to the full episode: https://bit.ly/3y4I9BL
Jim adds "one of the greatest songs of all time" to the Desert Island Jukebox. He was inspired by finally stumbling across "Big Star: Nothing Can Hurt Me" on Netflix. Listen to the full bonus episode: https://bit.ly/3UsNqdP
Greg writes about his first encounter with Alejandro Escovedo in Austin, Texas, after a late-night show. "I had been a fan of his previous bands, all pioneering in their own way: San Francisco punks the Nuns, alt-country progenitors Rank and File and roots-rock barn-burners the True Believers." Escovedo previously has been a guest on Sound Opinions and this week we review his latest album, “Echo Dancing.” Read more: https://bit.ly/3wr755S
Dr. Katherine Rye Jewell's new book, Live From The Underground: A History of College Radio, is both an academic history as well as a love letter to a dying art. The guys share their own histories with college radio and look ahead to where it could go next. Listen now: https://bit.ly/3JFZNOJ
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Jim and Greg pay tribute to the late Cynthia Weil, one half of the songwriting duo Mann & Weil, famous for writing tracks like “We Gotta Get Out of This Place” and “You’ve Lost that Lovin’ Feeling.” Jim and Greg revisit their charming 2011 conversation with the married couple. Listen now: https://bit.ly/3pS4bE3
Jason Isbel is a Sound Opinions Patreon Supporter - you should be too! Learn more: https://www.patreon.com/soundopinions
On the occasion of his new documentary and album with the 400 Unit, the guys talk to guitarist, singer and songwriter Jason Isbell. They discuss band dynamics and how Isbell connects with his listeners. Listen now: https://bit.ly/42PWHPl
Since 2003, Numero Group has championed talented, overshadowed artists across genres by reissuing their albums with care and creativity. The guys talk with Numero Group founders Rob Sevier and Ken Shipley about the label’s history and working with everyone from Syl Johnson to Blondie. Listen now: https://bit.ly/425vdVt
The guys talk with director Mary Harron about her films "American Psycho," "I Shot Andy Warhol," "Charlie Says" and her latest, "Dalíland." Jim and Greg ask Harron about the musical choices she made in her films, including how licensing songs took up the majority of American Psycho’s budget. Listen now: https://bit.ly/3nZ1orC
Jim and producer Alex Claiborne chat with indie rock supergroup boygenius. Phoebe Bridgers, Lucy Dacus and Julien Baker give us the inside details about how they made their first full-length album, "the record," while juggling their successful solo careers. Listen now: https://bit.ly/3zPFauw
The guys talk to musician Chris Connelly about his newest project, an ambitious tribute to the German singer Nico. By covering her songs and writing originals about her life, Connelly creates an empathetic portrait of an artist who faced many challenges in her tragically short life. Listen now: https://bit.ly/3EKDANl
When Sinéad O'Connor protested the Pope on Saturday Night Live she was trashed by the press and much of the public. She was booed at Bob Dylan’s anniversary concert two weeks later, but she never backed down, says documentary director Kathryn Ferguson. Listen now: https://bit.ly/3Id8Mpz
Post-punk tunes topped with dadaist deadpan lyrics are an unlikely formula for popularity in music, but that’s the secret to Dry Cleaning’s success. Listen now: https://bit.ly/3Hewd18
The guys catch up with longtime friend, screenwriter and director Cameron Crowe. They discuss his films, most notably Almost Famous, which recently wrapped up a run on Broadway as a musical. Listen now: https://bit.ly/3iVhjoi
The great Shemekia Copeland shook the Goose Island Fulton Street Brewery today at our live taping. More to come!
Music critic Steven Hyden joins the guys for the most in-depth conversation on Pearl Jam ever on Sound Opinions. Hyden points out that by all logic, Pearl Jam should have imploded years ago- yet they are still going strong, packing stadiums wherever they perform. Listen now: https://bit.ly/3DvcVnx
Singer-songwriter Kurt Vile joins the guys and a room full of Sound Opinions fans for a live performance and interview at the Goose Island Brewhouse in Chicago. Listen now: https://bit.ly/3Vd02oZ
Jim and Greg revisit their wide-ranging conversation with Yola that covers how the pandemic affected her writing process and her role as Sister Rosetta Tharpe in the new Baz Luhrmann’s “Elvis” film. Listen: https://bit.ly/3nHtTqi
John Doe brought a new flavor to punk rock that still resonates today on X the Band’s 1982 album, "Under the Big Black Sun." Doe joins the guys for a discussion about the origin of the song “The Have Nots,” taken from a board game tagline as a double meaning for life and the constraints of class. Listen now: https://bit.ly/3tZXsGP
Thanks to everyone that came out to Goose Island Taproom for our first live taping of the year with David Bazan of Pedro The Lion!
This week, the guys talk with Poland’s Trupa Trupa, a band that has always been haunted by the tragic history of its homeland. Plus, they revisit an interview with Israeli musician Tamar Aphek. Listen: https://bit.ly/3F8Eoeb
Jim and Greg talk with two of the founding members of Devo (band), Mark Mothersbaugh and Jerry Casale. Plus, they review the debut album from The Linda Lindas and the latest from The Regrettes. Listen: https://bit.ly/3xNWm3Q
Jim and Greg talk with songwriter Lucy Dacus about her stunning 2021 album Home Video and her time working with Phoebe Bridgers and Julien Baker in boygenius. Listen now: https://bit.ly/3imk1PV
John Prine‘s classic debut album deserves a book of its own, and Erin Osmon has delivered. The guys share their love of all things Prine with Erin this week. Plus we hear some feedback from our listeners. It’s all here: https://bit.ly/3ua2dyI
