lists 2018
Lennon & McCartney Solo Careers
This week, Jim and Greg reevaluate the post-Beatles careers of Paul McCartney and John Lennon. According to Greg, it is“wrong headed”to simply label John as“the rocker”and Paul as the melodic one. The conversation is particularly timely because of the recent release of a fresh box set of Lennon's 1971 classic recording Imagine, as well as the recent release of McCartney's latest album, Egypt Station. Rather than setting this up as a clash of the titans, Jim and Greg shine a light on lesser known corners of Lennon and McCartney's respective catalogs. Jim noted the value of“digging into a catalog that we think we know”to uncover“new nuggets of revelation.”In that digging they uncover the good, and the bad…
Go to episode 676Modern Protest Songs
In response to a listener's inquiry, Jim and Greg share protest songs written since the year 2000. They say their picks carry on the spirit of the labor movement of the 1930s, the civil rights and antiwar movements of the 1960s and the anti-Cold War movement of the 1980s.
Go to episode 675Scary Songs
Jim and Greg are back with a batch of Scary Songs for Halloween. Fire up the jack-o'-lantern, fill the candy bowl, and listen to these songs:
Go to episode 674Buried Treasures
So many records are released each year that many deserving albums get lost in the noise. This week, Jim and Greg unearth another set of Buried Treasures – recent musical gems that you may have missed, but deserve a place in your music library.
Go to episode 672Diss Tracks
When two musicians have beef, it's only natural for their feud to carry over into their art. From rap to southern rock to new wave to punk, here are a few of Jim and Greg's favorite diss tracks.
Go to episode 670Buried Treasures
From the southern soul of Swamp Dogg to the experimental art rock of Ohmme, this week Jim and Greg dip into the wealth of music beyond the FM dial and play you some buried treasures. These artists might not be household names, but they're definitely worth adding to your collection.
Go to episode 667Songs About the Devil
The tale of Robert Johnson selling his soul to the devil at the crossroads in exchange for his prodigious guitar playing skills is one that dates back to the early 1900s. This inspired an entire new category of tracks: devil songs. Jim and Greg share a few of their favorite tracks that reference the character of "the devil."
*Note: Sound Opinions does not endorse the devil or any of his messages.
Songs About The Sea
Seventy-one percent of the earth is covered with water, so it's no surprise many musicians have looked to the sea for inspiration. From adventure to tragedy, Jim and Greg have gathered songs about the ocean that run the gamut.
Go to episode 662Buried Treasures
From a metal group out of Guadalajara, Mexico called Canibales to a genre defying duo called The O‘My’s out of Chicago, this week, Jim and Greg dish out a batch of Buried Treasures: new music discoveries that you need to hear.
Go to episode 659Best Albums of 2018 So Far
With so many album releases, Jim and Greg are always listening to new music. Luckily, there are several records that are exciting them in 2018 so far - here are some picks from them in no particular order.
Go to episode 657Blue Tracks
Lastly, Greg and Jim pick some of their favorite tracks on Blue that they think are worth highlighting in more detail:
Go to episode 654Anxious Anthems
Forget “keep calm and carry on.” This week, Jim and Greg play their favorite "Anxious Anthems." Then they chat with some listeners to hear what songs make them nervous.
Go to episode 653Favorite Drum Moments in Rock
Jim and Greg share some of their favorite drummers as well as some notable drum fills, beats and more:
Go to episode 652Buried Treasures
While you may be doing some spring cleaning on your playlists, we've got a few additions you need to hear! Jim, Greg and some listeners share some buried treasures: under-the-radar albums.
Go to episode 650Desert Island Jukebox
Often at the end of Sound Opinions, Jim and Greg add songs to the Desert Island Jukebox. This jukebox is filled with tracks that Jim and Greg would take with them if stranded on a desert island. They‘ve posed this same age-old rock question to many of their guests. Here’s the music that these artists say they can't live without:
- Buzz Osborne of The Melvins: Judy Garland, Judy at Carnegie Hall
- Dale Crover of The Melvins: The Rolling Stones, Through the Past, Darkly
- Steve McDonald of The Melvins: The Jimi Hendrix Experience "If 6 Was Nine"
- Penelope Spheeris: Japanese Zen Music and Norman Greenbaum "Spirit in the Sky"
- Iron & Wine: Van Morrison Veedon Fleece
- Vic Mensa: Stevie Wonder "For Once in My Life"
Songs About Horses
The Kentucky Derby is right around the corner and Jim and Greg have horses on the brain! It got them thinking about how prominent these creatures are in music across genres. The hosts and some Sound Opinions listeners share their favorite tracks about ponies, mares, stallions and more.
Go to episode 648Buried Treasures
During SXSW 2018, Jim and Greg saw so many great unknown artists. Here are a few more buried treasures that you need to check out:
Go to episode 645SXSW 2018
Greg and Jim report back from the South By Southwest music conference in Austin, Texas. They share some of their favorite new musical discoveries.
Go to episode 643Songs About the Music Industry
Rock ‘n’ roll is all about railing against the“man.”And for musicians, there's no bigger man than the record business. Some songs celebrate music's great A&R men and women or label heads. Many more skewer the suits. Here are Jim and Greg's favorites:
Go to episode 642Buried Treasures
From Italian doom stoner rock to Los Angeles electro, we've got some great musical buried treasures that you need to hear! These artists might not be household names, but Jim and Greg think they're definitely worth adding to your collection.
Go to episode 641Best Soundtracks, Part 2
From Do the Right Thing to Lost In Translation, Jim and Greg share another batch of their favorite movie soundtracks. We also hear some listeners make the case for their favorites. Here are their picks:
Go to episode 640List: "I Want You Back" for Valentine's Day
It's that magical time of year where love is in the air! However for some, they've got to try a little harder to get back into the good graces of their valentines. Jim and Greg present their favorite Pleading Songs.
Go to episode 637