Sound Opinions

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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In this bonus episode, Greg tells the story of a classic song that took the perfect voice to become a hit.
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This week, hosts Jim DeRogatis and Greg Kot dig into a record review roundup full of summertime releases. The hosts discuss new albums from Olivia Rodrigo, Jack White, Margo Price, Robyn Hitchcock, and Swamp Dogg.
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Featured Songs:
Robyn Hitchcock, "Yesterday's Rain," The Confuser, TINY GHOST, 2026
The Beatles, "With a Little Help from My Friends," Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band, Parlophone, 1967
Olivia Rodrigo, "Drop Dead," You Seem Pretty Sad for a Girl So in Love, Geffen, 2026
Olivia Rodrigo, "Purple," You Seem Pretty Sad for a Girl So in Love, Geffen, 2026
Olivia Rodrigo, "What's Wrong with Me," You Seem Pretty Sad for a Girl So in Love, Geffen, 2026
Jack White, "G.O.D. and the Broken Ribs," Frozen Charlotte, Third Man, 2026
Jack White, "Neighbors Blues," Frozen Charlotte, Third Man, 2026
Jack White, "Derecho Demonico," Frozen Charlotte, Third Man, 2026
Jack White, "Dollar Bill," Frozen Charlotte, Third Man, 2026
Margo Price, "San Marcos," Days of Unrest, Loma Vista, 2026
Margo Price, "Oval Room," Days of Unrest, Loma Vista, 2026
Margo Price, "Long Haired Country Girl (featuring Billy Swan)," Days of Unrest, Loma Vista, 2026
Margo Price, "Deportee (Plane Wreck at Los Gatos) (featuring Joan Baez & Memphis Mariachi)," Days of Unrest, Loma Vista, 2026
Robyn Hitchcock, "I Am This Thing," The Confuser, Tiny Ghost, 2026
Robyn Hitchcock, "Building From The Ruins," The Confuser, Tiny Ghost, 2026
Robyn Hitchcock, "My Dead Astronaut," The Confuser, Tiny Ghost, 2026
Robyn Hitchcock, "Breathless," The Confuser, Tiny Ghost, 2026
Swamp Dogg, "Waka Waka Waka (feat. Gary U.S. Bonds)," Swamp Dogg Contemplates the Afterlife, S-Curve, 2026
Swamp Dogg, "Searching For Heaven," Swamp Dogg Contemplates the Afterlife, S-Curve, 2026
Swamp Dogg, "Please Don't Bury Me," Swamp Dogg Contemplates the Afterlife, S-Curve, 2026
The Feelies, "Slipping (Into Something)," The Good Earth, Rough Trade, 1986
The Feelies, "Slipping (Into Something) (Live at 40 Watt Club, Athen, GA)," The Good Earth, Rough Trade, 1986
Texas Tornados, "(Hey Baby) Que Pasó," Texas Tornados, Reprise, 1990
Neil Young, "Old Man," Harvest, Reprise, 1972
Tom Petty, "I Won't Back Down," Full Moon Fever, MCA, 1989
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In 2008 Glen Hansard and Markéta Irglová performed their soon-to-be Oscar winning song "Falling Slowly" on Sound Opinions. As an act of mourning Glen Hansard's tragic death on July 29, we're sharing that interview and performance with The Swell Season here.
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In this bonus episode, Jim pays tribute to country-rock hero Steve Almaas, whom he first encountered during his Hoboken, New Jersey days. Almaas, a member of the Suicide Commandos and Beat Rodeo, died on June 5, 2026, at the age of 69.
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