Sound Opinions

Sound Opinions LISTEN CRITICALLY ®
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.

*Sound Opinions* is distributed nationally by [{tag: PRX}](http://www.prx.org/soundopinions/). *Sound Opinions* can be heard on stations across the country and online at SoundOpinions.org.

After seeing "Twisted Melodies," a powerful one-man play written and performed by fellow Chicagoan Kelvin Roston Jr. in ...
08/22/2025

After seeing "Twisted Melodies," a powerful one-man play written and performed by fellow Chicagoan Kelvin Roston Jr. in tribute to the underappreciated genius Donny Hathaway, Greg was deeply moved by a performance of a song that was once banned by many radio stations.

The song comes from one of the great live albums of the 1970s, and in this bonus episode, Greg shares the track and reflects on its enduring power and Hathaway’s lasting legacy: https://bit.ly/4fLTCbf

Jim and Greg revisit their deep dive into OutKast’s classic album "Stankonia" for its 25th anniversary, exploring the du...
08/21/2025

Jim and Greg revisit their deep dive into OutKast’s classic album "Stankonia" for its 25th anniversary, exploring the duo's bold creative choices and the impact of this landmark release. A sharp and insightful look at a record that redefined the boundaries of hip-hop: https://bit.ly/4lAKJm8

Written in cramped New York dorms and recorded with Cate Le Bon at Wilco’s loft during a brutal Chicago winter Horsegirl...
08/14/2025

Written in cramped New York dorms and recorded with Cate Le Bon at Wilco’s loft during a brutal Chicago winter Horsegirl's latest album "Phonetics On and On" buzzes with city energy while staying intimate and unmistakably their own.

"It’s not only the best album I’ve heard from Chicago this year, it’s one of the best from anywhere." Jim says in this week’s Sound Opinions newsletter: https://bit.ly/4fAWW91

Jim pops a quarter into the Desert Island Jukebox and plays a track that blends yé-yé pop with a Motown groove — a Frenc...
08/12/2025

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: https://bit.ly/3Ja6WKk

Ozzy Osbourne passed away just two weeks after reuniting with the original members of Black Sabbath for a final farewell...
08/11/2025

Ozzy Osbourne passed away just two weeks after reuniting with the original members of Black Sabbath for a final farewell performance.

Jim and Greg celebrate the life and legacy of the "Prince of Darkness" with a deep dive into the songs that defined his career, from the heavy riffs of Sabbath to his wild and influential solo years: https://bit.ly/3J9HvbB

Jim and Greg sit down with Swamp Dogg, the psychedelic soul legend born Jerry Williams, to talk about his wild, genre-de...
08/06/2025

Jim and Greg sit down with Swamp Dogg, the psychedelic soul legend born Jerry Williams, to talk about his wild, genre-defying career as a performer, songwriter, and producer.

Now in his 80s, Swamp Dogg opens up about reinventing himself in the ’70s, pushing boundaries with satire and soul, and why he’s still making music today. The conversation ties into the new documentary "Swamp Dogg Gets His Pool Painted," which explores his legacy and continued creative fire: https://www.soundopinions.org/show/1026

Greg shares a song by an artist he hadn’t seen live in years—until a recent show at the Old Town School of Folk Music re...
08/04/2025

Greg shares a song by an artist he hadn’t seen live in years—until a recent show at the Old Town School of Folk Music rekindled the connection. The artist released a few albums on Bloodshot Records during his solo run, including "Man Under the Influence," which he called his "crowning achievement" during the performance.

Greg plays a track that nods to the Velvet Underground in name and spirit. The song’s about holding onto your vision, even when others don’t get it. ➡️ Listen to it here: https://bit.ly/3Utrn7v

Before he was Swamp Dogg, he was Jerry Williams — a journeyman songwriter and talent scout in the '50s and '60s. Then ca...
08/01/2025

Before he was Swamp Dogg, he was Jerry Williams — a journeyman songwriter and talent scout in the '50s and '60s. Then came an unexpected acid trip... and the birth of one of music’s most unpredictable, convention-shattering alter egos.

In this week’s newsletter, Greg dives into Swamp’s wild origin story, his laugh-out-loud interview style, and why he’s one of the most innovative artists alive: https://bit.ly/3IX1A4S

Producer Andrew Gill urges Jim and Greg to check out HBO’s "Somebody Somewhere" — a quietly brilliant show that deserves...
07/29/2025

Producer Andrew Gill urges Jim and Greg to check out HBO’s "Somebody Somewhere" — a quietly brilliant show that deserves more love. Expect strong opinions, gentle persuasion, and some classic banter. Listen now on Patreon: https://bit.ly/4m444ga

Jim and Greg return mid-summer with a fresh batch of "Buried Treasures"—new music they’re loving that flies under the ma...
07/28/2025

Jim and Greg return mid-summer with a fresh batch of "Buried Treasures"—new music they’re loving that flies under the mainstream radar.

From indie rock and doom metal to funk and chamber music, these are hidden gems worth your ears. Plus, the production staff shares a few buried treasures of their own.

Discover your next favorite track: https://bit.ly/40AjAIo

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