Sound Opinions

Hazy guitars, buried vocals and walls of distortion– the shoegaze sound may have peaked in the '90s, but it never really went away. This week, hosts Jim DeRogatis and Greg Kot highlight some of the genre's pioneers along with more recent favorites. The hosts also hear picks from the production staff.
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Featured Songs:
Lowtide, "Elizabeth Tower," Southern Mind, Rice Is Nice, Opposite Number, 2018
The Beatles, "With a Little Help from My Friends," Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band, Parlophone, 1967
My Bloody Valentine, "Only Shallow," Loveless, Creation, 1991
Slowdive, "Slowdive," Slowdive (EP), Creation, 1990
Ride, "Dreams Burn Down," Nowhere, Sire, 1990
Lush, "De-Luxe," Gala, 4AD, 1990
Spiritualized, "Shine a Light," Lazer Guided Melodies, RCA, 1992
Catherine Wheel, "Black Metallic," Ferment, Fontana, 1992
Starflyer 59, "Do You Ever Feel That Way," Gold, Tooth and Nail, 1995
Los Mundos, "Explosión Sónica," Máquinas En Movimiento, Las Dunas, 2024
Soft Science, "Undone," Maps, Test Pattern, 2018
Winter, "Hide-A-Lullaby," Adult Romantix, Winspear, 2025
This Will Destroy You, "Little Smoke," Tunnel Blanket, Monotreme, 2011
Deafheaven, "Sunbather," Sunbather, Deathwish, 2013
Slow Crush, "Cherry," Thirst, Pure Noise, 2025
Pink Frost, "Striking Violet," Gargoyle Days, Notes and Bolts, 2012
Courtney Barnett, "Pedestrian at Best," Sometimes I Sit and Think, and Sometimes I Just Sit, Marathon Artists, 2015
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In this bonus episode, Greg pays tribute to Jeff “Monoman” Conolly, the garage-rock pioneer and leader of Lyres, who died July 31, 2026, at the age of 69.
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To celebrate Buddy Guy's recent 90th birthday, hosts Jim DeRogatis and Greg Kot re-air their 2007 with the blues legend. They'll also give an update on what he's been up to and share some of their favorite Buddy Guy tracks.
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Featured Songs:
Buddy Guy, "First Time I Met the Blues," First Time I Met the Blues (Single), Chess, 1960
The Beatles, "With a Little Help from My Friends," Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band, Parlophone, 1967
Buddy Guy, "What Kind of Woman Is This," Bring 'Em In, Jive and Silvertone, 2005
Buddy Guy, "Louise McGhee (Live on Sound Opinions)," Blues Singer, Silvertone, 2003
Buddy Guy & Junior Wells, "Sweet Home Chicago," Play the Blues, Atlantic, 1972
Junior Wells, "Good Morning Little Schoolgirl (Live on Sound Opinions)," Hoodoo Man Blues, Delmark, 1965
Buddy Guy, "Done Got Old (Live on Sound Opinions)," Sweat Tea, Jive and Silvertone, 2001
Buddy Guy, "Let Me Love You Baby," Let Me Love You Baby (Single), Chess, 1961
Buddy Guy, "Stone Crazy," Stone Crazy (Single), Chess, 1961
Little Brother Montgomery, "The First Time I Met the Blues," The First Time I Met The Blues, Blues Interactions, 1998
Buddy Guy, "Born To Play Guitar," Born to Play Guitar, RCA, 2015
Buddy Guy, "Baby Please Don't Leave Me," Sweat Tea, Jive and Silvertone, 2001
My Bloody Valentine, "Only Shallow," Loveless, Creation, 1991
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In this bonus episode, Jim shares a song that ties back to his childhood fascination with the Alamo.
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This week, hosts Jim DeRogatis and Greg Kot talk with author Erin Osmon about her new book on "heartland rock." She argues that artists like John Mellencamp and Tom Petty filled stadiums in the 1980s, but also pushed back against the politics of the Reagan era. The hosts also pay tribute to Irish troubadour Glen Hansard.
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Featured Songs:
Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers, "I Won't Back Down," Full Moon Fever, MCA, 1989
The Beatles, "With a Little Help from My Friends," Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band, Parlophone, 1967
The Frames, "Fitzcarraldo," Fitzcarraldo, ZTT, 1995
The Swell Season, "Falling Slowly (Live On Sound Opinions)," Swell Season, Overcoat, 2006
Bruce Springsteen, "Born In The U.S.A.," Born In The U.S.A., Columbia, 1984
John Cougar Mellencamp, "Pink Houses," Uh-Huh, Riva, 1983
Bob Seger & The Silver Bullet Band, "Like A Rock," Like A Rock, Capitol, 1986
Neil Young, "Keep On Rockin' In The Free World (Live on SNL)," Freedom, Reprise, 1989
Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers, "Don't Come Around Here No More," Southern Accents, MCA, 1985
Bonnie Raitt, "Nick Of Time," Nick Of Time, Capitol, 1989
Stephen Wilson Jr., "Gary," (Single), Big Loud, 2026
Don Henley, "The Boys of Summer," Building the Perfect Beast, Geffen, 1984
John Cougar Mellencamp, "Rain on the Scarecrow," Scarecrow, Riva, 1986
Buddy Guy, "Baby Please Don't Leave Me," Sweet Tea, Silvertone, 2001
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