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Sound Opinions: Daily Summaries Delivered
by WBEZ Chicago
Take two nationally respected rock critics, the latest music news, personal commentary, and exclusive interviews and performances, add a huge pile of records old and new, and the result is Sound Opinions, where people who love music can come together.
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- 4 days ago48 min
LGBTQ Music 1969-2000 with Barry Walters
Hosts Jim DeRogatis and Greg Kot talk with music journalist and author Barry Walters about his new book Mighty Real: A History of LGBTQ Music 1969-2000. They discuss how gay artists, industry execs and audiences changed mainstream music. They also chat about artists like R.E.M., Pet Shop Boys, Donna Summer and more.Join our Facebook Group: https://bit.ly/3sivr9TBecome a member on Patreon: https://bit.ly/3slWZvcSign up for our newsletter: https://bit.ly/4frcVZoMake a donation via PayPal: https://bit.ly/3dmt9lUSend us a Voice Memo: Desktop: bit.ly/2RyD5Ah Mobile: sayhi.chat/soundops Featured Songs:David Bowie, "Rebel Rebel," Diamond Dogs, RCA, 1974The Beatles, "With A Little Help From My Friends," Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band, Parlophone, 1967Sylvester, "You Make Me Feel (Mighty Real)," Step II, Fantasy, 1978Pet Shop Boys, "Opportunities (Let's Make Lots of Money)," Please, Parlophone, 1986R.E.M., "Pretty Persuasion," Reckoning, I.R.S., 1984Gang of Four, "Call Me Up," Songs of the Free, EMI, 1982Prince, "Controversy," Controversy, Warner Bros., 1981Grace Jones, "Warm Leatherette," Warm Leatherette, Island, 1980Laura Nyro, "Stoned Soul Picnic," Eli and the Thirteenth Confession, Columbia, 1968Donna Summer, "Queen For a Day," Once Upon a Time, Casablanca, 1977Indigo Girls, "Closer to Fine," Indigo Girls, Epic, 1989Michael Jackson, "Childhood," HIStory: Past, Present and Future, Book I, Epic, 1995The Smiths, "There Is a Light That Never Goes Out," The Queen Is Dead, Rough Trade, 1986David Bowie, "Space Oddity," David Bowie, Philips, 1969Frankie Goes to Hollywood, "Relax," Welcome to the Pleasuredome, ZTT, 1984Robyn, "Blow My Mind," Sexistential, Konichiwa and Young, 2026See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
- 6 days ago7 min
RIP Record Producer Jack Douglas
In this bonus episode, Greg pays tribute to American record producer Jack Douglas. Douglas earned the admiration of countless artists, perhaps none more than Rick Nielsen of Cheap Trick, who called him his favorite producer of all time. Jack Douglas died on May 11, 2026, at the age of 77.Join our Facebook Group: https://bit.ly/3sivr9TBecome a member on Patreon: https://bit.ly/3slWZvcSign up for our newsletter: https://www.patreon.com/collection/2136865Make a donation via PayPal: https://bit.ly/3dmt9lUSend us a Voice Memo: Desktop: bit.ly/2RyD5Ah Mobile: sayhi.chat/soundopsSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
- 1 weeks agoconversational50 min6-min read
Sound Opinions LIVE (Courtney Barnett, Mudhoney and More) Plus Opinions on JPEGMAFIA
This episode of Sound Opinions features a review of JPEGMAFIA’s latest album, Experimental Rap, followed by a trip into the show’s archives to highlight live performances from Courtney Barnett, Mudhoney, Zola Jesus, Drive-By Truckers, and Sleater-Kinney. Hosts Jim DeRogatis and Greg Kot offer sharp, often humorous critiques, praising JPEGMAFIA’s sonic innovation while questioning his lyrical depth and consistency.
- 1 weeks agoconversational6 min4-min read
A Cult Artist with Seductive Charm
On a bonus episode of Sound Opinions, hosts Greg Kot and Jim DeRogatis spotlight the criminally underrated Australian singer-songwriter Anita Lane, a magnetic yet under-the-radar force in the post-punk and art rock world who held her own among Nick Cave and Blixa Bargeld. Jim shares her wild origin story—walking into Mute Records demanding a record deal—and plays her darkly seductive track The Next Man That I See, a song that blends lust with menace.
- 2 weeks ago49 min
Gary Stewart: The Five Essential Songs, Plus Opinions on Jill Scott, Mandy, Indiana and Aldous Harding
This week, hosts Jim DeRogatis and Greg Kot are joined by returning guest and favorite music writer Jimmy McDonough. Jimmy recently released a biography 40 years in the making, Gary Stewart: I Am From the Honky-Tonks, and joins the show to help Jim and Greg run down five essential tracks from the cult country artist. The hosts also review new albums from Jill Scott, Mandy, Indiana, and Aldous Harding.Join our Facebook Group: https://bit.ly/3sivr9TBecome a member on Patreon: https://bit.ly/3slWZvcSign up for our newsletter: https://bit.ly/3RuYwkSMake a donation via PayPal: https://bit.ly/3dmt9lUSend us a Voice Memo: Desktop: bit.ly/2RyD5Ah Mobile: sayhi.chat/soundops Featured Songs:Gary Stewart, "Honky Tonk Man," Honky Tonk Man (Single), RCA, 1981The Beatles, "With A Little Help From My Friends," Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band, Parlophone, 1967Jill Scott, "Offadaback," To Whom This May Concern, Blues Babe, 2026Jill Scott, "Liftin' Me Up," To Whom This May Concern, Blues Babe, 2026Jill Scott, "Pay U on Tuesday," To Whom This May Concern, Blues Babe, 2026Mandy, Indiana, "Sevastopol," URGH, Sacred Bones, 2026Mandy, Indiana, "Magazine," URGH, Sacred Bones, 2026Mandy, Indiana, "I'll Ask Her," URGH, Sacred Bones, 2026Aldous Harding, "Venus in the Zinnia," Train On The Island, 4AD, 2026Aldous Harding, "Train on the Island," Train On The Island, 4AD, 2026Aldous Harding, "I Ate the Most," Train On The Island, 4AD, 2026Aldous Harding, "Coats," Train On The Island, 4AD, 2026Aldous Harding, "One Stop," Train On The Island, 4AD, 2026Gary Stewart, "Sweet Tater and Cisco," You're Not The Woman You Used To Be, MCA, 1975Gary Stewart, "Drinkin' Thing," Out of Hand, RCA, 1975Gary Stewart, "Flat Natural Born Good-Timin' Man," Steppin' Out, RCA, 1976Gary Stewart, "Pretend I Never Happened," Your Place or Mine, RCA, 1977Courtney Barnett, "Scotty Says (Live on Sound Opinions)," Sometimes I Sit and Think, and Sometimes I Just Sit, Mom + Pop Music, 2015See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
- 2 weeks agoconversational6 min3-min read
Disengaging With Milwaukee’s Psychedelic Underground
On a bonus episode of Sound Opinions, host Greg Kot dives into his Desert Island Jukebox pick: the Milwaukee-based psychedelic band Plastic Land, praising their 1984 debut and their enduring, kaleidoscopic influence on the underground rock scene.
- 3 weeks agoconversational50 min5-min read
Willie Nelson: The Five Essential Albums & Opinions on Kacey Musgraves
On this episode of Sound Opinions, hosts Jim DeRogatis and Greg Kot review Kacey Musgraves’ latest album Middle of Nowhere, then dive into a deep conversation with critic Geoffrey Himes about the five essential Willie Nelson albums that define his monumental career.
- 3 weeks agoconversational7 min3-min read
RIP Chip Taylor
On a bonus episode of Sound Opinions, hosts Jim DeRogatis and Greg Kot pay tribute to Chip Taylor, the eccentric songwriter behind 'Wild Thing' and 'Angel of the Morning', who recently passed away at 86. The episode blends music history, humor, and admiration for a behind-the-scenes rock legend whose career spanned songwriting, gambling, and a late-life comeback.
About Sound Opinions
Take two nationally respected rock critics, the latest music news, personal commentary, and exclusive interviews and performances, add a huge pile of records old and new, and the result is Sound Opinions, where people who love music can come together.
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