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Sound Opinions

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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.

*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.

09/16/2026

Jim pays tribute to Jennifer Finch, the influential bassist and founding member of L7, who died July 18, 2026, at age 59.

A key figure in the ’90s alternative rock scene, Finch helped shape L7’s distinctive sound and became an important presence in a generation of independent and alternative music.

Jim reflects on Finch’s contributions to the band, her impact on the alternative rock community, and the legacy she leaves behind. https://bit.ly/4yIuIBG

09/15/2026

Founded in Chicago in 1997 by musician and recording engineer Steve Albini, Electrical Audio has been home to hundreds of independent music projects.

Following Albini’s death, the studio continues as a nonprofit, a decision Jim greatly appreciates. Albini was not only a respected engineer, but a generous educator who regularly answered calls and emails from engineers around the world with questions about ribbon mics, recording techniques and the craft itself.

Jim reflects on the importance of Electrical Audio continuing its work and the lasting legacy Albini left on recording and independent music. https://bit.ly/4h58WRg

Photo: Paul Natkin

09/11/2026

Jim and Greg trace shoegaze from its origins to the present, highlighting pioneering bands including My Bloody Valentine, Ride and Lush alongside more recent favorites such as Deafheaven, Pink Frost and Slow Crush. While the genre may have peaked in the 1990s, its influence has continued to shape alternative music: https://bit.ly/4xTifLi

Read Greg’s newsletter, "Shoegaze Lives!", for a deeper look at the genre’s history, enduring influence and the bands carrying its sound forward today: https://bit.ly/4hlZ3jm

09/01/2026

What songs have brought great artists together? Greg heard an unexpected version of a familiar song playing on a stereo at a record shop and realized he had stumbled onto a connection between two of the greatest artists of the 20th century.

He tells the story of how a demo became a classic and how the perfect voice turned it into a hit: https://tinyurl.com/bp72sanz

08/28/2026

Greg pays tribute to Jeff “Monoman” Conolly, the garage-rock pioneer and leader of The Lyres, who died July 31, 2026 at 69. Greg remembers a musician who carried the torch for Nuggets-era garage rock well into the present decade: https://tinyurl.com/37rr5yy3

08/25/2026

What song do you best remember Buddy Guy for?
To celebrate his 90th birthday, Jim and Greg revisit their 2007 interview with the blues legend featuring a rare acoustic set. They also explore his unconventional career, share some of their favorite Buddy Guy tracks and trace his influence on younger musicians: https://www.soundopinions.org/show/1081

Then read Jim’s newsletter for more on Guy’s career, his recent work and why his influence continues to resonate: https://tinyurl.com/4dd97dd9

08/21/2026

What did you think of Christopher Nolan’s "The Odyssey"?

In episode 80 of "Everything Else," Greg shares his thoughts on the film, including whether he thinks you should bring earplugs to the theater: https://bit.ly/3SfzXsS

08/19/2026

Jim and Greg dig into the latest from Olivia Rodrigo, Jack White, Margo Price, Robyn Hitchcock and Swamp Dogg, with plenty of opinions along the way: https://tinyurl.com/46y4uz3t

08/16/2026

What’s a band you think was seriously underrated?

Jim pays tribute to Steve Almaas of Su***de Commandos and Beat Rodeo, a musician he believes never got the recognition he deserved.

Jim shares memories of Almaas, his influence on the Minneapolis punk and Hoboken music scenes, and a Beat Rodeo song he adds to the Desert Island Jukebox: https://rb.gy/ya67pw

08/10/2026

What is the most underrated Southern snack?

Andrew makes the case for boiled peanuts, a Southern staple rarely found up North and often called “country caviar.” Inspired by a trip to Florida to visit his 101-year-old grandfather, Andrew shares the story behind this beloved regional snack: https://bit.ly/4w3zV5j

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