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Sound Opinions

Chicago Public Media

Sound Opinions, the World's only rock and roll talk show; now to go. Hosted by Jim DeRogatis of the Vocalo.org and Greg Kot of the Chicago Tribune. Each week Jim and Greg bring you the latest music news and reviews. Plus tune in to hear exclusive interviews and performances. Sound Opinions is a production of WBEZ and distributed by PRX.

Sound Opinions, the World's only rock and roll talk show; now to go. Hosted by Jim DeRogatis of the Vocalo.org and Greg Kot of the Chicago Tribune. Each week Jim and Greg bring you the latest music news and reviews. Plus tune in to hear exclusive interviews and performances. Sound Opinions is a production of WBEZ and distributed by PRX.

Location:

Chicago, IL

Description:

Sound Opinions, the World's only rock and roll talk show; now to go. Hosted by Jim DeRogatis of the Vocalo.org and Greg Kot of the Chicago Tribune. Each week Jim and Greg bring you the latest music news and reviews. Plus tune in to hear exclusive interviews and performances. Sound Opinions is a production of WBEZ and distributed by PRX.

Language:

English

Contact:

Sound Opinions c/o Chicago Public Radio Navy Pier 848 E. Grand Ave. Chicago, IL 60611-3509 888-859-1800

Episodes

#744 Songs About Time, Ask the Critics Pt. 2

2/28/2020
Let's "Rock Around the Clock" like Bill Haley told us to! 2020 is another leap year, Daylight Savings is around the corner and this week, Jim DeRogatis and Greg Kot explore their favorite Songs About Time. They also answer more listener questions for another edition of Ask the Critics, ranging from their personal experiences making music to their biggest disagreements.

Duration:00:56:04

#743 Buried Treasures & Briston Maroney

2/21/2020
It's time again for hosts Jim DeRogatis and Greg Kot to share their latest buried treasures: recently released, under-the-radar albums you need to hear! Plus, Jim takes a trip to the desert island jukebox to play a song he can't live without. Then, they hear from musician Briston Maroney about the song that got him Hooked On Sonics.

Duration:00:55:45

#742 Ask the Critics, Hologram Tours & Opinions on Wire

2/14/2020
This week, hosts Jim DeRogatis and Greg Kot answer listener questions in a segment called Ask the Critics! They’ll give responses on subjects like musical taste, disagreements with each other and what it’s really like to be a professional critic. Plus, they’ll talk to music journalist Mark Binelli about the rise of deceased musician hologram tours. They also review the new album from English art rock band Wire.

Duration:00:57:09

#741 King Crimson, R.I.P. Andy Gill of Gang of Four

2/7/2020
King Crimson is a legendary progressive rock band that has evolved through the decades in innovative, and sometimes surprising ways. This week, Greg Kot and Jim DeRogatis explore the constant evolution of the classic band that refuses to rest on its laurels. Plus, Jim and Greg pay tribute to Gang of Four guitarist Andy Gill, dead at the age of 64.

Duration:00:56:50

#740 Best Film Acting Performances By Musicians, Host of Slow Burn on the Muders of Tupac & Biggie

1/31/2020
Over the years, several notable musicians have tried their hand at acting in movies, whether it’s playing a character or playing themselves. While the results are mixed, there have been a handful of great, pitch perfect performances. With the Oscars looming, Jim DeRogatis and Greg Kot share some of their favorite acting performances by musicians in film. They’ll also talk with Joel Anderson, host of the third season of the podcast Slow Burn, which focuses on the murders of the Notorious...

Duration:00:55:10

#739 Mary Wilson of The Supremes, Opinions on Drive-By Truckers & Torres

1/24/2020
Motown Records helped create the soundtrack for a generation. And no group at that famous label was more iconic than The Supremes, both for their sound, and for their groundbreaking glamour. This week, hosts Jim DeRogatis and Greg Kot talk to Mary Wilson of The Supremes about her days at Motown, and how the group became international ambassadors representing an entire community. Jim and Greg also review new records from the Southern rock band Drive-By Truckers and indie singer-songwriter...

Duration:00:55:33

#738 The Beach Boys' Pet Sounds, R.I.P. Neil Peart & Opinions on Beach Slang

1/17/2020
Brian Wilson of The Beach Boys elevated pop music to new artistic heights with the band's 1966 masterpiece Pet Sounds. With its ingenious orchestrations and earnest lyrics, the album remains an enormous influence to this day. Hosts Jim DeRogatis and Greg Kot present a Classic Album Dissection of Pet Sounds. They also review the new album from punk band Beach Slang and bid farewell to Neil Peart of Rush.

Duration:00:56:59

#737 Buried Treasures & Folk Singer-Songwriter Joan Shelley

1/10/2020
A new year calls for new tunes. Jim DeRogatis and Greg Kot are back with a new batch of Buried Treasures. They're always on the lookout for great new music beyond the FM dial and this week they share their latest finds. These artists might not be household names, but they're definitely worth adding to your collection. They'll also talk to folk singer-songwriter Joan Shelley about recording her latest album in Iceland and how her Louisville, Kentucky heritage manifests in her music.

Duration:00:56:40

#736 Songs About Pot, Rock Doctors & Angie McMahon

1/3/2020
As of January 1, 2020, Illinois joins several states in legalizing recreational marijuana. Hosts Jim DeRogatis and Greg Kot acknowledge the numerous songs about weed and share some of their favorites. Plus, Jim and Greg are the rock doctors, finding walk up music for a martial artist. They also find out what unique song got singer-songwriter Angie McMahon hooked on sonics.

Duration:00:56:43

#735 Albums of the Decade, Greg's Mixtape, Juice WRLD & Roy Loney

12/27/2019
This week, hosts Jim DeRogatis and Greg Kot close out 2019 and the 2010s by sharing some of their best albums of the decade. Then, Greg will share his annual mixtape and the hosts will discuss musicians the world lost this year, including rapper Juice WRLD and Flamin' Groovies lead singer Roy Loney.

Duration:00:56:27

#734 Sound Opinions Holiday Spectacular 2019 with Andy Cirzan

12/20/2019
It's a holiday tradition on Sound Opinions to welcome weird wax aficionado Andy Cirzan to share his annual mix of tinsel-time tunes with us. He shares his bizarre holiday music finds and the stories behind them with hosts Jim DeRogatis and Greg Kot.

Duration:00:57:09

#733 The Best Albums of 2019

12/13/2019
As 2019 comes to a close, hosts Jim DeRogatis and Greg Kot reflect on the best albums of the year. They also hear from Sound Opinions producers and listeners about their favorites.

Duration:00:58:13

#732 William S. Burroughs and the Cult of Rock 'N' Roll, Opinions on Leonard Cohen & Sudan Archives

12/6/2019
Beat writer William S. Burroughs had a profound impact and interaction with rock and hip-hop music from the 1960s through his death in the late 1990s. Jim DeRogatis and Greg Kot talk with author Casey Rae about his book on Burroughs and "the cult of Rock 'n' Roll." They also review new albums from Leonard Cohen and singer and violinist Sudan Archives.

Duration:00:56:42

#731 Thanksgiving Leftovers & DJ Shadow on Sampling

11/29/2019
As we finish eating Thanksgiving leftovers, Jim DeRogatis and Greg Kot clear out musical discussions still left over from earlier in the year. From chart-topping phenomenons to surprising archival finds, there was just too much music this year to cover it all as it happened. Plus, DJ Shadow explains how he found the sample for his latest single, "Rocket Fuel."

Duration:00:57:16

#730 Songs That Make You Cry, Opinions on The Replacements & FKA twigs

11/22/2019
For one reason or another, everyone has got a handful of songs that make them cry. Hosts Jim DeRogatis and Greg Kot share some of the songs that bring tears to their eyes. They also review something old and something new: they revisit The Replacements' album Don't Tell a Soul 30 years later and share their thoughts on the new record from FKA twigs.

Duration:00:58:02

#729 Buried Treasures & Bobby Rush

11/15/2019
As we all settle in for the season, hosts Jim DeRogatis and Greg Kot figure Sound Opinions listeners are ready for a playlist refresh. This week, they dip into the wealth of great new music beyond the FM dial and play you some Buried Treasures. These artists might not be household names, but they're definitely worth adding to your collection. Plus, blues legend Bobby Rush shares the song that got him Hooked on Sonics.

Duration:00:57:57

#728 Songs About the Radio & Opinions on Michael Kiwanuka

11/8/2019
Hosts Jim DeRogatis and Greg Kot both fondly remember discovering new bands on their FM dials; and though there are many ways find new music, there's still a bit of magic to hearing a new favorite over the airwaves. To honor that legacy, Jim and Greg share some of their favorite radio-inspired tracks by artists like Wall of Voodoo and Donna Summer. Plus Jim and Greg review Kiwanuka, the latest album from English soul-folk artist Michael Kiwanuka.

Duration:00:56:55

#727 Janis Joplin, Opinions on Kanye West & Neil Young and Crazy Horse

11/1/2019
Janis Joplin was known for her iconic singing voice, gregarious image and refusal to conform. But behind her chill, blues mama persona was an intellectual, intentional artist. Hosts Jim DeRogatis and Greg Kot discuss the life and career of Janis Joplin with author and biographer Holly George-Warren. They talk about the legacy of Joplin's music and identity almost 50 years after her tragic death. Jim and Greg will also review new albums from Kanye West and Neil Young and Crazy Horse.

Duration:00:59:11

#726 Bands in Costume, Opinions on Battles & Farewell to Music Critic Nick Tosches

10/25/2019
Rock and roll has never been purely about the music. The image a band puts forward can be almost as important as their songs. Some bands take it an extra step and make theatrical costumes an integral part of their act. In honor of Halloween, hosts Jim DeRogatis and Greg Kot share some of their favorite bands in costume. They also review the latest from rock band Battles and bid farewell to music journalist and biographer Nick Tosches.

Duration:00:59:05

#725 The Rolling Stones' Exile on Main St.

10/18/2019
Though originally panned by many critics, the Rolling Stones' 1972 album Exile on Main St. is now considered a masterpiece. Hosts Jim DeRogatis and Greg Kot serve up a classic album dissection for the deeply influential recording.

Duration:00:57:38

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