© 2026 WNIJ and WNIU
Northern Public Radio
801 N 1st St.
DeKalb, IL 60115
815-753-9000
Northern Public Radio
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations
Sound Opinions logo
Sound Opinions
Sunday, 7pm - 8pm CST

Sound Opinions is where people who love music can come together.

You can make discoveries, debate, learn about pop culture, engage, have fun and find new ways to further enrich your lives through music.

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 Greg Kot and Jim DeRogatis 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 PRX. Sound Opinions can be heard on stations across the country and online at SoundOpinions.org.

Stay Connected
  • Al Green's The Belle Album & Opinions on Mitski
    Al Green sang some of the most acclaimed soul records of the 1970s. So when he decided to leave it all behind for the church, many questioned why. Hosts Jim DeRogatis and Greg Kot discuss Al Green's life and his pivotal first gospel album, Belle with biographer Jimmy McDonough. Plus, they review the new album from Mitski.Join our Facebook Group: https://bit.ly/3sivr9TBecome a member on Patreon: https://bit.ly/3slWZvcSign up for our newsletter: https://bit.ly/3eEvRnGMake a donation via PayPal: https://bit.ly/3dmt9lUSend us a Voice Memo: Desktop: bit.ly/2RyD5Ah Mobile: sayhi.chat/soundops Featured Songs:Al Green, "Belle," The Belle Album, Hi, 1977The Beatles, "With A Little Help From My Friends," Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band, Parlophone, 1967Mitski, "Where's My Phone?," Nothing's About to Happen to Me, Dead Oceans, 2026Mitski, "That White Cat," Nothing's About to Happen to Me, Dead Oceans, 2026Mitski, "Lightning," Nothing's About to Happen to Me, Dead Oceans, 2026Mitski, "Charon's Obol," Nothing's About to Happen to Me, Dead Oceans, 2026Mitski, "If I Leave," Nothing's About to Happen to Me, Dead Oceans, 2026Al Green, "I'm Still in Love with You," I'm Still In Love with You, Hi, 1972Jackie Wilson, "Baby Workout," Baby Workout (Single), Brunswick, 1960Al Greene, "Back Up Train," Back Up Train , Hot Line Music Journal, 1967Al Green, "Tired of Being Alone," Al Green Gets Next to You, Hi, 1971Al Green, "Let's Stay Together," Let's Stay Together, Hi, 1971Willie Mitchell, "Groovin'," Solid Soul, Hi, 1967Al Green, "Love and Happiness," I'm Still In Love with You, Hi, 1972Al Green, "Jesus is Waiting," Call Me, Hi, 1973Al Green, "Dream," The Belle Album, Hi, 1977Al Green, "I Feel Good," The Belle Album, Hi, 1977Al Green, "All 'n' All," The Belle Album, Hi, 1977Al Green, "Chariots of Fire," The Belle Album, Hi, 1977Al Green featuring Anthony Hamilton, "You've Got the Love I Need," Lay It Down, Blue Note, 2008Al Green, "Georgia Boy," The Belle Album, Hi, 1977Al Green , "Feels Like Summer," The Belle Album, Hi, 1977Al Green , "Leaning on the Everlasting Arms," I'll Rise Again, The Right Stuff, 1983Niall Connolly, "To Be a Stone," To Be a Stone (Single), self-released, 2025The Cars, "You're All I've Got Tonight," The Cars, Elektra, 1978Buffalo Tom, "Tangerine," Sleepy Eyed, Beggars Banquet, 1995Snow Tha Product, "Alligator," M.a.M.A, self-released, 2025Private Wives, "Haymaker," Three of Swords, Farmer & The Owl, 2026See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
  • RIP Willie Colón
    In this bonus episode, Greg pays tribute to the salsa legend Willie Colón, who died February 21, 2026, at the age of 75.Join our Facebook Group: https://bit.ly/3sivr9TBecome a member on Patreon: https://bit.ly/3slWZvcSign up for our newsletter: https://bit.ly/3eEvRnGMake a donation via PayPal: https://bit.ly/3dmt9lUSend us a Voice Memo: Desktop: bit.ly/2RyD5Ah Mobile: sayhi.chat/soundopsSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
  • Late Career Encores
    This week hosts Jim DeRogatis and Greg Kot celebrate artists who found a new creative gear decades after they hit the music scene. It's Late-Career Encores, this week on Sound Opinions.Join our Facebook Group: https://bit.ly/3sivr9TBecome a member on Patreon: https://bit.ly/3slWZvcSign up for our newsletter: https://bit.ly/3eEvRnGMake a donation via PayPal: https://bit.ly/3dmt9lUSend us a Voice Memo: Desktop: bit.ly/2RyD5Ah Mobile: sayhi.chat/soundops Featured Songs:Johnny Cash, "Hurt," American IV: The Man Comes Around, American, 2002The Beatles, "With A Little Help From My Friends," Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band, Parlophone, 1967Johnny Cash, "Folsom Prison Blues," Johnny Cash with His Hot and Blue Guitar!, Sun, 1955Johnny Cash, "The Mercy Seat," American III: Solitary Man, American, 2000Misson of Burma, "Academy Fight Song," Single, Ace of Hearts, 1980Misson of Burma, "2Wice," The Obliterati, Matador, 2006Wire, "1 2 X U," Pink Flag, Harvest, 1977Wire, "Joust & Jostle," Wire, Pinkflag, 2015The Staple Singers, "I'll Take You There," Be Altitude: Respect Yourself, Stax, 1972Mavis Staples, "99 and 1/2," We'll Never Turn Back, Anti-, 2007Superchunk, "Driveway To Driveway," Foolish, Merge, 1994Superchunk, "Me & You & Jackie Mittoo," I Hate Music, Merge, 2013Naked Raygun, "I Don't Know," Throb Throb, Homestead, 1985Naked Raygun, "Living in the Good Times," Over the Overlords, Wax Trax!, 2021A Tribe Called Quest, "Can I Kick It?," People's Instinctive Travels and the Paths of Rhythm, Jive, 1990A Tribe Called Quest, "We the People....," We Got It from Here...Thank You 4 Your Service, Epic, 2016Bonnie Raitt, "Thank You," Bonnie Raitt, Warner Bros., 1971Bonnie Raitt, "The Road's My Middle Name," Nick of Time, Capitol, 1989Cher, "Gypsys, Tramps & Thieves," Chér, Kapp, 1971Cher, "Strong Enough," Believe, WEA and Warner Bros., 1998Redd Kross, "Annie's Gone," Third Eye, Atlantic, 1990Redd Kross, "Candy Coloured Catastophe," Redd Kross, In the Red, 2024Converge, "Concubine," Jane Doe, Equal Vision, 2001Converge, "We Were Never the Same," Love is Not Enough, Epitaph and Deathwish, 2026John Prine, "Angel From Montgomery," John Prine, Atlantic, 1971John Prine, "When I Get to Heaven," The Tree of Forgiveness, Oh Boy, 2018Pulp, "Common People," Different Class, Island, 1995Pulp, "Spike Island," More, Rough Trade, 2025Al Green, "Belle," The Belle Album, Hi, 1977See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
  • A Song About the Dark Side of Organ Donation
    In this bonus episode, Jim shares a track from an early punk band that imagines what might happen if you received the eyes of a convicted murderer.Join our Facebook Group: https://bit.ly/3sivr9TBecome a member on Patreon: https://bit.ly/3slWZvcSign up for our newsletter: https://bit.ly/3eEvRnGMake a donation via PayPal: https://bit.ly/3dmt9lUSend us a Voice Memo: Desktop: bit.ly/2RyD5Ah Mobile: sayhi.chat/soundopsSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
  • Guest Desert Island Jukebox Picks & Opinions on Peaches and Danny Brown
    If you were stranded on a desert island today, what’s the one song you couldn’t live without? This week hosts Jim DeRogatis and Greg Kot round up a handful of Desert Island Jukebox picks from previous guests of Sound Opinions. The hosts also review the new albums from Peaches and Danny Brown.Join our Facebook Group: https://bit.ly/3sivr9TBecome a member on Patreon: https://bit.ly/3slWZvcSign up for our newsletter: https://bit.ly/3eEvRnGMake a donation via PayPal: https://bit.ly/3dmt9lUSend us a Voice Memo: Desktop: bit.ly/2RyD5Ah Mobile: sayhi.chat/soundops Featured Songs:The Beatles, "In My Life," Rubber Soul, Parlophone, 1965The Beatles, "With A Little Help From My Friends," Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band, Parlophone, 1967Peaches, "No Lube So Rude," No Lube So Rude, Kill Rock Stars, 2026Peaches, "Be Love," No Lube So Rude, Kill Rock Stars, 2026Peaches, "Not In Your Mouth None Of Your Business," No Lube So Rude, Kill Rock Stars, 2026Danny Brown, "Copycats," Stardust, Warp, 2025Danny Brown, "Whatever The Case," Stardust, Warp, 2025Danny Brown, "Book of Daniel," Stardust, Warp, 2025Danny Brown, "All4u," Stardust, Warp, 2025Danny Brown, "Lift You Up," Stardust, Warp, 2025Roxy Music, "Virginia Plain," Roxy Music, Island and Reprise, 1972Soft Machine, "Hope For Happiness," The Soft Machine, ABC and Probe, 1968Spoon, "Let Me Be Mine," They Want My Soul, Loma Vista and ANTI, 2014Rolling Stones, "Emotional Rescue," Emotional Rescue, Rolling Stones, 1980Jeff Tweedy, "Lou Reed Was My Babysitter," Twilight Override, dBpm, 2025Tyrannosaurus Rex, "A Beard of Stars," A Beard of Stars, Regal Zonophone, 1970Tyrannosaurus Rex, "By the Light of the Magical Moon," A Beard of Stars, Regal Zonophone, 1970Afrika Bambaataa and Soulsonic Force, "Planet Rock," Planet Rock (Single), Tommy Boy, 1982The Spinners, "Mighty Love," Mighty Love, Atlantic, 1973The Delfonics, "La-La Means I Love You," La-La Means I Love You, Philly Groove, 1968Kate Bush, "Running Up That Hill (A Deal With God)," Hounds of Love, EMI, 1985Local H, "How's The Weather Down There?," Whatever Happened To P.J. Soles?, Studio.E, 2004Mark Lannigan, "Solitaire," Imitations, Vagrant, 2013Mark Lannigan, "Ugly Sunday," The Winding Sheet, Sub Pop, 1990Nirvana, "Lithium," Nevermind, DGC, 1992Tsunami, "In a Name," Deep End, Simple Machines, 1993The Lemon Twigs, "Any Time Of Day," Everything Harmony, Captured Tracks, 2023Nicholas Krgovich, "Rosemary," Rosemary (Single), Tin Angel, 2018The Butterfield Blues Band, "East-West," East-West, Elektra, 1966The Third Mind, "East West (Live)," Live Mind, Yep Roc, 2025Beach Bunny, "Dream Boy," Honeymoon, Mom + Pop, 2020Redd Kross, "Candy Coloured Catastrophe," Redd Kross, In The Red, 2024See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
  • An Underrated Protest Singer
    In this bonus episode, Greg shares a track by a famous singer whose powerful protest anthems are often overlooked.Join our Facebook Group: https://bit.ly/3sivr9TBecome a member on Patreon: https://bit.ly/3slWZvcSign up for our newsletter: https://bit.ly/3eEvRnGMake a donation via PayPal: https://bit.ly/3dmt9lUSend us a Voice Memo: Desktop: bit.ly/2RyD5Ah Mobile: sayhi.chat/soundopsSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
  • Beach Bunny (Lili Trifilio) Live, Plus Opinions on Charli XCX
    This week, hosts Jim DeRogatis and Greg Kot talk with Lili Trifilio aka Beach Bunny. They discuss the band’s 2025 album, their viral hit and Lili performs live. The hosts also review the new album from Charli XCX.Join our Facebook Group: https://bit.ly/3sivr9TBecome a member on Patreon: https://bit.ly/3slWZvcSign up for our newsletter: https://bit.ly/3eEvRnGMake a donation via PayPal: https://bit.ly/3dmt9lUSend us a Voice Memo: Desktop: bit.ly/2RyD5Ah Mobile: sayhi.chat/soundops Featured Songs:Beach Bunny, "Tunnel Vision," Tunnel Vision, AWAL, 2025The Beatles, "With A Little Help From My Friends," Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band, Parlophone, 1967Charli XCX, "House featuring John Cale," Wuthering Heights, Atlantic, 2026Charli XCX, "Chains of Love," Wuthering Heights, Atlantic, 2026Charli XCX, "Funny Mouth," Wuthering Heights, Atlantic, 2026Charli XCX, "Always Everywhere," Wuthering Heights, Atlantic, 2026Beach Bunny, "Big Pink Bubble (Live on Sound Opinions)," Tunnel Vision, AWAL, 2025Beach Bunny, "Prom Queen," Prom Queen EP, Mom + Pop, 2018Beach Bunny, "Clueless (Live on Sound Opinions)," Tunnel Vision, AWAL, 2025Beach Bunny, "Prom Queen (Live on Sound Opinions)," Prom Queen EP, Mom + Pop, 2018Beach Bunny, "Vertigo," Tunnel Vision, AWAL, 2025The Police, "Message In a Bottle," Reggatta de Blanc, A&M, 1979See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
  • A Song that Survived the Dog Food Commercial
    In this bonus DIJ, Jim shares a song by one of his favorite bands that never stops being fun, no matter how many times he hears it.Join our Facebook Group: https://bit.ly/3sivr9TBecome a member on Patreon: https://bit.ly/3slWZvcSign up for our newsletter: https://bit.ly/3eEvRnGMake a donation via PayPal: https://bit.ly/3dmt9lUSend us a Voice Memo: Desktop: bit.ly/2RyD5Ah Mobile: sayhi.chat/soundopsSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
  • Reconsidering Late R.E.M.
    Hosts Jim DeRogatis and Greg Kot discuss the music, history and legacy of R.E.M. with biographer Peter Ames Carlin. The hosts share their own personal experiences covering the band over the years.Join our Facebook Group: https://bit.ly/3sivr9TBecome a member on Patreon: https://bit.ly/3slWZvcSign up for our newsletter: https://bit.ly/3eEvRnGMake a donation via PayPal: https://bit.ly/3dmt9lUSend us a Voice Memo: Desktop: bit.ly/2RyD5Ah Mobile: sayhi.chat/soundops Featured Songs:R.E.M., "Losing My Religion," Out of Time, Warner Bros., 1991The Beatles, "With A Little Help From My Friends," Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band, Parlophone, 1967R.E.M., "It's the End of the World As We Know It (And I Feel Fine)," Document, I.R.S., 1987R.E.M., "Orange Crush," Green, Warner Bros., 1988R.E.M., "The One I Love," Document, I.R.S., 1987R.E.M., "Radio Free Europe," Murmur, I.R.S., 1983R.E.M., "Begin the Begin," Lifes Rich Pageant, I.R.S., 1986R.E.M., "Low," Out of Time, Warner Bros., 1991R.E.M., "Bittersweet Me," New Adventures in Hi-Fi, Warner Bros., 1996R.E.M., "Everybody Hurts," Automatic for the People, Warner Bros., 1992R.E.M., "Imitation of Life," Reveal, Warner Bros., 2001R.E.M., "Shiny Happy People," Out of Time, Warner Bros., 1991R.E.M., "Strange Currencies," Monster, Warner Bros., 1994R.E.M., "What's the Frequency, Kenneth?," Monster, Warner Bros., 1994R.E.M., "Man on the Moon," Automatic for the People, Warner Bros., 1992Beach Bunny, "Big Pink Bubble (Live on Sound Opinions)," Tunnel Vision, AWAL, 2025See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
  • A Debut Album Decades Later
    In this bonus episode, Greg shares a track by songwriter and friend Chrissie Dickinson, whose band didn’t release its debut album until after her death.Join our Facebook Group: https://bit.ly/3sivr9TBecome a member on Patreon: https://bit.ly/3slWZvcSign up for our newsletter: https://bit.ly/3eEvRnGMake a donation via PayPal: https://bit.ly/3dmt9lUSend us a Voice Memo: Desktop: bit.ly/2RyD5Ah Mobile: sayhi.chat/soundopsSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.