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.

Arthur Baker, the visionary behind the pioneering single "Planet Rock," dishes on his colorful career with Jim and Greg....
10/12/2025

Arthur Baker, the visionary behind the pioneering single "Planet Rock," dishes on his colorful career with Jim and Greg. Baker further elaborates on the stories in his new memoir "Looking for the Perfect Beat: Remixing and Reshaping Hip-Hop, Rock and Rhythms,” including his groundbreaking work with Bruce Springsteen, New Order and Rick Rubin. Listen to the full interview: https://bit.ly/4q741mz

💎 Every Buried Treasures episode is a challenge to introduce without giving too much away. Jim prefers that you experien...
10/10/2025

💎 Every Buried Treasures episode is a challenge to introduce without giving too much away. Jim prefers that you experience the music firsthand, free of preconceptions about the tracks he and the rest of the Sound Opinions team have unearthed.

In his latest newsletter, he shares how he filters through hundreds of recommendations, tips, and emails to find just a few standout songs. It is a reminder of how much great music is out there and how little time there is to hear it all.

This episode features 13 new discoveries. Dive in and see what resonates.

📌 Read more about Jim's process: https://bit.ly/4gS0rIK

➡️ Hear all the treasures: https://bit.ly/48b6civ

In episode 38, Jim recommends the BritBox Original series "Outrageous," a sharp and surprising take on Britain’s politic...
10/06/2025

In episode 38, Jim recommends the BritBox Original series "Outrageous," a sharp and surprising take on Britain’s political history.

It is just one of the cultural picks featured in the latest installment of "Everything Else," where the Sound Opinions team steps away from music to highlight books, films, shows, and more.

➡️ Listen today on Patreon: https://bit.ly/3VLyE37

In this bonus episode, Jim pays tribute to Rick Davies, the legendary keyboardist, vocalist, and co-founder of Supertram...
10/05/2025

In this bonus episode, Jim pays tribute to Rick Davies, the legendary keyboardist, vocalist, and co-founder of Supertramp.

From his distinctive playing to unforgettable songs like "Bloody Well Right" and "Goodbye Stranger," Davies shaped the sound of a generation and left a lasting mark on rock music.

Listen now as we honor his life, legacy, and the music that still resonates: https://bit.ly/46T8jFc

“A gigantic 12-step program of people considered total losers and failures... But they were doing it with a vengeance.”T...
10/05/2025

“A gigantic 12-step program of people considered total losers and failures... But they were doing it with a vengeance.”

That’s how music polymath David Amram described the Greenwich Village scene, and it sets the tone for David Browne’s new book "Talkin’ Greenwich Village," a vivid look at how a few blocks in Manhattan shaped the future of American music.

This week on Sound Opinions, Browne joins us to explore the Village’s rise and legacy, just ahead of the new Bob Dylan box set focusing on his early days on Bleecker Street.

📰 Read Greg’s full newsletter: https://bit.ly/4gVKQYx

➡️ Listen to the interview with David Browne: https://bit.ly/4mRRyjT

Greg pays tribute to drummer Jim Kimball, known for his fierce, unforgettable work with Laughing Hyenas, Mule, The Jesus...
09/28/2025

Greg pays tribute to drummer Jim Kimball, known for his fierce, unforgettable work with Laughing Hyenas, Mule, The Jesus Lizard, and more. Kimball passed away on August 27, 2025, at the age of 59. His impact on underground rock was massive; raw, relentless, and entirely his own: https://bit.ly/42fkXNs

Jim recommends a movie that just started streaming in June — "It's part caper flick, part slapstick comedy, and part ac...
09/27/2025

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: https://www.patreon.com/posts/everything-else-139441268

Where did indie rock go?Chris DeVille, author of "Such Great Heights: The Complete Cultural History of the Indie Rock Ex...
09/27/2025

Where did indie rock go?

Chris DeVille, author of "Such Great Heights: The Complete Cultural History of the Indie Rock Explosion," talks with Greg and Jim about how indie rock evolved from its underground roots to become a dominant force in mainstream music.

DeVille delves into the shifting definitions of "cool," the debate between "rockism" and "poptimism," and the rise of artists like Arcade Fire, Carly Rae Jepsen, and The Weeknd. Their conversation offers a thoughtful examination of indie rock's journey and its impact on today's musical landscape.

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

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

"I'm a sucker for songs about being alive," Jim admits in this bonus episode. He shares a track from the early ’90s that...
09/21/2025

"I'm a sucker for songs about being alive," Jim admits in this bonus episode. He shares a track from the early ’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: https://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 ...
09/20/2025

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: https://www.patreon.com/posts/137637736

When "Horses" dropped in December 1975, Patti Smith didn’t just release an album...she lit a fuse. Blending poetry, punk...
09/18/2025

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. In this Classic Album Dissection, they break down the fierce intelligence behind Smith’s lyrics, the stark brilliance of Robert Mapplethorpe’s cover photo, and the chaotic genius of recording with producer John Cale. Listen to it all here: https://bit.ly/3Vl7T5h

Is “Dad Rock” just a genre or something more profound? Greg explores that question in his look at Niko Stratis’ new memo...
09/15/2025

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 sharp and thoughtful read challenges how we think about music, identity, and what it means to grow older: https://bit.ly/4gg7Jpe

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