Sound Opinions

How the scene that emerged in a funky Manhattan neighborhood shaped the future of American music. @soundopinions.bsky.social with author David Browne.
My spiel here: bit.ly/4gVKQYx
Interview with David here: bit.ly/4mRRyjT
Enjoy!

Jim recommends a movie that just started streaming in June — "It's part caper flick, part slapstick comedy, and part action movie."

It’s messy, fast, and completely ridiculous in the best way. Catch the full conversation now on Everything Else: www.patreon.com/posts/everyt...

#DeepCover

Where did indie rock go?

Chris DeVille, author of "Such Great Heights," talks with Greg and Jim about how indie rock evolved from its underground roots to become a dominant force in mainstream music.

📌 Read Greg's take on the book: bit.ly/4gOQufk

➡️ Listen to the full episode: bit.ly/3IIqp4G

"I'm a sucker for songs about being alive," Jim admits in this bonus episode. He shares a track from the ’90s that almost inspires him enough to try meditation. It's a short, powerful listen that reminds us how music can shift your entire state of mind: apple.co/3Kog1j1

Producers Alex and Andrew try to sell Jim and Greg on “The White Lotus“ Season 3 and it is not an easy pitch. Along the way they spotlight standout cast members Walton Goggins and Aimee Lou Wood and debate whether this season can live up to the hype: www.patreon.com/posts/137637...

When "Horses" dropped in December 1975, Patti Smith didn’t just release an album...she lit a fuse. Blending poetry, punk, and raw defiance, her debut became an instant landmark in New York’s underground scene. Fifty years later, Jim and Greg revisit the record that changed everything: bit.ly/3Vl7T5h

Is “Dad Rock” just a genre or something more profound? Greg explores that question in his look at Niko Stratis’ new memoir, a front-runner for best book title of the year. This book challenges how we think about music and what it means to grow older: bit.ly/4gg7Jpe

Greg pays tribute to Latin jazz legend Eddie Palmieri, who passed away on August 6, 2025, at the age of 88. Tune in to hear how his powerful legacy continues to shape the sound of Latin jazz today: bit.ly/46jVZPj

Author Jason Schneider digs into his book "That Gun in Your Hand: The Strange Saga of ‘Hey Joe’ and Popular Music’s History of Violence" with Jim and Greg: bit.ly/4mXfSBS

Jim and Greg chat with author and climate activist Bill McKibben about the power of solar energy, the role of protest music, and his upcoming activism event "Sun Day."

Then the team picks their favorite songs about the sun, with tracks from Captain Beefheart, Stevie Wonder, and more: bit.ly/4mDXgGT

It's a solar-powered @soundopinions.bsky.social this week, as ace journalist/activist @billmckibben.bsky.social returns to the show. As Bill says: “Renewable energy has suddenly become the obvious, cost-efficient choice… a very big and hopeful thing.” We provide the soundtrack. More: bit.ly/47BspGj

Jim pops a quarter into the Desert Island Jukebox and plays a track that blends yé-yé pop with a Motown groove — a French-sounding hit that turns out to be ripping off Detroit soul, but surprisingly, it’s by an Italian band. Listen to the Le Snobs breakdown here: bit.ly/3Ja6WKk

Jim and Greg return mid-summer with a fresh batch of "Buried Treasures." From indie rock and doom metal to funk and chamber music, these are hidden gems worth your ears. Discover your next favorite track: bit.ly/40AjAIo

Greg pays tribute to the King of Zydeco himself — Clifton Chenier — a pioneering accordionist whose sound stretched far beyond the Louisiana bayou. Hear Greg’s salute to a true American original: bit.ly/40whhpJ

This week, Jim brings a truly wild pick to the Desert Island Jukebox: David Bedford’s "Star Clusters, Nebulae & Places in Devon" — a piece that features a brass band, electronic keyboards, a children’s choir, and yes, helium. 🎈🎈Listen now: bit.ly/4mbykWq

We’re on Sound Opinions! It is a legitimate honor to have thee @jimderogatis.bsky.social pick our track to start episode 1025, BUT, to also spend that time talking about us and breaking apart our sounds on rock ‘n’ roll’s greatest talk show! Now airing on 150 stations! @soundopinions.bsky.social

It's one of the most popular traditions throughout Sound Opinions' 1000-plus nationally broadcast episodes. Greg Kot shares a look at the show's annual mid-year top 10 list: bit.ly/44MG5vZ

Jim and Greg talk with Scott Lucas of Local H about his long-running career and the new self-made documentary, "Lifers." They also review the first new Stereolab album in 15 years and the long-awaited return of Mclusky, a major influence on today’s post-punk revival. Listen now: bit.ly/3Trhoip

The year’s only halfway over, but 2025 is already stacked with great albums.

Jim DeRogatis and Greg Kot share their picks for the best music of the year so far—plus favorites from the Sound Opinions production team.

🔗 2025 Side A: bit.ly/45PsOE0

This week on Sound Opinions, we pay tribute to a musical genius who reshaped pop music. From the soaring harmonies of the #BeachBoys to the groundbreaking beauty of "Pet Sounds," Brian Wilson gave us timeless art that continues to inspire.

🔗 Read more: bit.ly/44wazkJ

In Episode 24 of Everything Else, Jim explores two powerful stories that dig into ambition, truth, and the weight of history. Listen to the breakdown: bit.ly/44aEe2L

My favorite LPs of the year so far. My list, Dero's list, etc: @soundopinions.bsky.social
soundopinions.org/show/1022

Greg writes about the man behind the myth — not just the funk pioneer, but the teenage music student named Sylvester Stewart. In his forthcoming project, Greg devotes a full chapter to Sly, tracing his path from a struggling student to an icon of American music: bit.ly/45KEeZR

What’s the worst band name you’ve ever heard?

Jim and Greg talk with writer Kyle Ryan about "Band Name Bureau", a collection of hilariously bad, weird, and regrettable band names. Starting as a fun project at "The A.V. Club," it’s now a beloved newsletter and social media archive: bit.ly/3G0AaKf

Sly and the Family Stone sounded fresh in 1973, and they still do. Sly is gone, but the music will outlive us all. We pay tribute to a great one on @soundopinions.bsky.social this week.
Listen now: bit.ly/43HBIC1

Greg adds a new track to the Desert Island Jukebox—one that took on fresh meaning after he watched "I'm Still Here," the powerful new Brazilian film set during the military dictatorship of the 1970s.

Listen to Greg’s pick and hear the story behind it on the latest bonus episode: bit.ly/45ngBq0

What’s your favorite revolutionary song?

One voice that stands out is Tom Zé — the wildcard genius of Brazil’s Tropicalia movement. Greg spotlights Zé’s defiant, mischievous sound — music that thrived under censorship, surveillance, and fear.

Read more: bit.ly/4jMExGy

Jim and Greg pay tribute to the late singer-songwriter Jill Sobule, revisiting their 2009 conversation about her music and her pioneering work in crowdfunding independent art.

They also review new releases from Shamir, Pelican and Tune-Yards.

Listen now: bit.ly/4dQ3hwj

Following our tributes to David Thomas and Peter Laughner of Pere Ubu, Jim rounds out the trilogy with a song by another of the band's members: bit.ly/43Zbn2l

Jim revisits a 2009 session with the unforgettable Jill Sobule — a true indie trailblazer. Long before crowdfunding was common, Jill raised $75K directly from fans to create "California Years." Read more: bit.ly/3FMaiBH