The Hold Steady Hear Many "Sound Opinions"

Download: The Hold Steady - "Magazines" (Live on "Sound Opinions)

This past weekend, The Hold Steady dropped by the studio where Sound Opinions is taped to talk about their last record, 2008's Stay Positive, their reputation as a "literary" band, and, of course, their insanely energetic live show.

Listen to the podcast here, and, while you're at it, check out the acoustic rendition of "Magazines" that 3/5ths of the band did in the studio at the top of the post.

The Hold Steady MySpace Page

Video: Saul Williams - "Convict Colony"

Download: Saul Williams - "Convict Colony" (Via Sound Opinions)

Watch the otherworldly video for the Nine Inch Nails-esque (hmm, wonder why that is) track from the pay-what-you-want The Rise and Liberation of Niggy Tardust by eclectically electric singer-songwriter-rapper Saul Williams.

You can listen to a live version of that same song at the top of the post from the session he did on NPR's popular music talk-show Sound Opinions. On the Williams episode, Greg Kot and Jim DeRogatis, the hosts of the programs, ask Williams about underground cred in the face of commercial song placement; the provocative etymology and evolution of a racial epithet; how that epithet relates to the concept of his newest album; and how he classifies, and came up with, his genre-leaping sound.

Listen to the segment, which includes other live performances, here. Niggy Tardust is out now.

Saul Williams MySpace Page

(Jonathan Graef)

Death Cab for Cutie - Live on "Sound Opinions"

(via CPR's Flickr Page)

Based on the fact that their sixth album Narrow Stairs, which was their first to debut at number one on the Billboard album charts, has received a goodly amount of positive reviews, it's not just the heart of the unwitting recipient of Ben Gibbard's nefarious attentions that DCfC possess. Rather, it would seem that many music aficionados are fond of the Seattle-based quartet as well; two of them being Greg Kot and Jim DeRogatis, Chicago music critics who host NPR's self-described "world's only rock n' roll talk show" Sound Opinions.

KotN'DeRog recently invited the band for a performance and interview, which both recently took place at the Chicago Cultural Center. The results of that session were recently aired on "Sound Opinions" this past weekend, and you can listen to the show in its entirety here. The group talk to Greg and Jim about their career trajectory, their creative and recording process, and that little TV show they were on a few years back. Listen to Death Cab perform second Narrow Stairs single "Cath" at the top of the post.

Listen to the band perform other songs, including some which were not featured in the original broadcast, here

Death Cab for Cutie MySpace Page

(Jonathan Graef)
jon@minneapolisfuckingrocks.com

Bob Mould Appears On "Sound Opinions" Tonight

Download: Bob Mould - "The Silence Between Us"

Is the pledge drive over? It is? Praise be to Jebus! Now we can get back to our regularly scheduled programming, which would include "Sound Opinions", the world's self-proclaimed "only rock n' roll talk show". Their guest this week will be none other than former Husker Du/Sugar frontman Bob Mould. The show will be one at 9am central time on The Current. If you're too hungover to wake up and tune in, then check on the site a few days later for the MP3 podcast of the episode.

In the meantime, check out this interview between Sounds host Jim DeRogatis and Ptichfork found Ryan Schreiber. Good times!

Bob Mould MySpace Page

(Jonathan Graef)

The Replacements Dissected On "Sound Opinions"

Download: The Replacements - "I Will Dare"
Download: The Replacements - "Tommy Gets His Tonsils Out"
Download: The Replacements - "Unsatisfied"
Download: The Replacements - "Sixteen Blue"

Over this past weekend, NPR's Sound Opinions (hosted by Chicago rock-crits Jim DeRogatis and Greg Kot) devoted the majority of their program to discussing the significance and influence of The Replacements Let It Be album, their third full-length album, which was released in 1984.

Author Jim Walsh, who on Nov. 15th will release a book about the band called "All Over But The Shouting: An Oral History", was invited to share his thoughts about the band and the album. Most of the discussion revolves around placing Let It Be into the context of The Replacements stylistic evolution, as well as how the album was the product of Paul Westerberg's increase confidence as a songwriter and maturity as a person, but there is also insight into how the band and album fit into the larger pop landscape at the time. It's information that may or may not be new, depending on whether or not you've read about Walsh's book or "Our Band Could Be Your Life", but there are still some lovely insights on an absolutely amazing album. Plus, how NPR edits "Gary's Got A Boner" is pretty funny.

Download the "Sound Opinions" podcast here.

Jim Walsh will be having a release party for the book at First Avenue on Nov. 28th. Details here and tickets here.

At the top of the post, you'll find four MP3s from the album many people consider to be their best.

Sound Opinions Webpage

(Jonathan Graef)

Flaming Lips On "Sound Opinions," Good Luck Chuck Soundtrack

Download: The Flaming Lips - "Yoshimi Battles The Pink Robots" (Live On "Sound Opinions")

The Flaming Lips were recent guests on NPR program "Sound Opinions" and they were gracious enough to do a performance of "Yoshimi Battles The Pink Robots" from the album of the same name. You can listen to it at the top of this post and listen to the show in its entirety here.

In addition, go to Twelve Major Chords to hear the new Flaming Lips song, from the Good Luck Chuck soundtrack, called "I Was Zapped By The Lucky Super Rainbow". At the very least, we have to give it up to the Lips for coming up with some very distinctive song titles.

(Jonathan Graef)

The Effigies: Live On Sound Opinions

Download: The Effigies - "Baby Sleeps Alone" (Live on Sound Opinions)
Download: The Effigies - "Hazmat" (Live On Sound Opinions)
Download: The Effigies - "Mob Clash" (Live On Sound Opinions)
Download: The Effigies - "Full Weight" (Live on Sound Opinions)

Legendary Chicago punk band The Effigies stopped by the Sound Opinions studio last week to lay down some live tracks and to discuss their 2007 release, Reside. Above you'll find MP3s from the session.

Download the podcast of the episode with The Effigies here.

For those of you who do not know about The Effigies, they are one of the first punk bands to have formed in Chicago. The Effigies, along with Naked Raygun, Strike Under and Steve Albini, pretty much introduced the city to punk rock in the early 80s. Read more about The Effigies here and here.

(Jonathan Graef)

Roky Erickson Documentary Screened By Sound Opinions

Download: 13th Floor Elevators - "Slip Inside This House"
Download: 13th Floor Elevators - "You're Gonna Miss Me"
Download: 13th Floor Elevators - "Thru the Rhythm"
Download: 13th Floor Elevators - "Slide Machine"
Download: 13th Floor Elevators - "She Lives in a Time of Her Own"

If you're in the Chicagoland area next Tuesday, the 24th, and want to see a great documentary about a psychedelic rock legend, then you should definitely pay a visit to The Music Box Theatre. Sound Opinions is hosting a screening of the Roky Erickson documentary You're Gonna Miss Me. For those of you who don't know, Roky Erickson is the pioneer behind the 13th Floor Elevators, one of the groups who were responsible for developing psychedelic rock. The film explores Roky's influence as well as his personal life and his mental illness. It sounds like it should be a very compelling film. Here's more information about the screening from the Sound Opinions Mailing List:

On Tuesday, July 24th join Jim and Greg for an exclusive preview screening of the Roky Erickson documentary, "You're Gonna Miss Me." This film tells the story of the Roky Erickson, the legendary lead singer of the pioneering psychedelic rock group The 13th Floor Elevators. Director Keven McAlester will be available for Q&A with the audience following the movie screening.

This will be the first of a regular series of Sound Opinions at the Movies, and we hope to see you there.

What: Sound Opinions at the Movies presents "You're Gonna Miss Me"
When: Tuesday, July 24th. Doors at 7pm, Movie starts at 7:30pm
Where: Music Box Theatre, 3733 N. Southport, Chicago, IL 60613
Price: $10 General Admission

You can purchase tickets for the event here. Take a look at the film's trailer:



Scroll up to find mp3's of the 13th Floor Elevators.

(Jonathan Graef)

Peter Bjorn and John Perform Live on Sound Opinions

Download: Peter Bjorn and John - "Paris 2004" (Live on Sound Opinions)
Download: Peter Bjorn and John - "Young Folks" (Live on Sound Opinions)
Download: Peter Bjorn and John - "Amsterdam" (Live on Sound Opinions)
Download: Peter Bjorn and John - "Let's Call The Whole Thing Off" (Live on Sound Opinions)

Enjoy these four mp3s of Peter Bjorn and John performing tracks from their widely-acclaimed (particularly upon its stateside releases this year) Writer's Block on NPR's "Sound Opinions." In addition, PB & J are touring the world well into the fall. Here are the remaining dates of that tour:

2007-07-06: Festival, Roskilde
2007-07-07: Festival, Les Rock Dand Tous Ses Etats, Evreux
2007-07-21: Benicasim, Valencia
2007-07-22: Festival, Gurten
2007-07-27: Festival, Berlin
2007-07-29: Fuji Rock, Niigata
2007-07-31: Henry Fonda Theater, Los Angeles, CA
2007-08-01: House Of Blues, San Diego, CA USA
2007-08-02: Gallivan Center, Salt Lake City, Utah2007-08-04: Festival/Pimlico Race Park/Virgin Fest, Baltimore, MD
2007-08-05: Festival/Lollapalooza, Chicago, IL
2007-08-06: Pabst Theater, Milwaukee, MI
2007-08-07: The Pageant, StLouis, MO
2007-08-08: City Hall, Nashville, TN
2007-08-24: Festival, Leeds Festival, Leeds
2007-08-25: Concorde 2, Brighton
2007-08-26: Festival, Reading Festival, Reading
2007-08-26: Festival, Get Loaded In The Park, London
2007-09-06: Roseland, New York, NY
2007-09-07: Avalon Ballroom, Boston, MA
2007-09-08: Festival/Osheaga Fest/Parc Jean-Drapeau, Montreal, QC
2007-09-09: Festival/Virgin Fest/Toronto Islands Park, Toronto, ON
2007-09-11: Cats Cradle, Carrboro, NC
2007-09-12: Variety Playhouse, Atlanta, GA
2007-09-14: Festival/Austin City Limits/Zilker Park, Austin, TX

(Jonathan Graef)

The Decemberists Cover Brian Eno on Sound Opinions

Download: The Decemberists - "I'll Come Running" (Brian Eno Cover)
Download: The Decemberists - "Oh, Valencia"
Download: The Decemberists - "The Perfect Crime"
Download: The Decemberists - "Summersong"


The Decemberists made an appearance on NPR's Sound Opinions over the weekend and, in addition to performing three songs from last year's The Crane Wife, did a cover of Brian Eno's "I'll Come Running." You'll find that MP3 posted above, along with other MP3's of the band's live renditions of Crane Wife highlights "Oh, Valencia," "The Perfect Crime" and "Summersong."

Click here to download the MP3 of the show itself. It's worth a listen, as the band acts out the entire backstory of The Crane Wife! That alone makes the interview a classic.

(Jonathan Graef)

Parts and Labor on Sound Opinions

Download: Parts and Labor - "Fractured Skies" (Live on "Sound Opinions")
Download: Parts and Labor - "New Buildings" (Live on "Sound Opinions")
Download: Parts and Labor - "Gold We're Digging" (Live on "Sound Opinions")
Download: Parts and Labor - "Death" (Live on "Sound Opinions")


Here are some MP3's of Parts and Labor performing live on "Sound Opinions" from two weeks ago. Hope you enjoy them!

(Jonathan Graef)

Wilco on Sound Opinions

Download: Wilco - "You Are My Face" (Live on "Sound Opinions")
Download: Wilco - "What Light" (Live on "Sound Opinions")
Download: Wilco - "Side With The Seeds (Live on "Sound Opinions")
Download: Wilco - "Sky Blue Sky" (Live on "Sound Opinions")


Wilco recently appeared on National Public Radio's "Sound Opinions," hosted by rock critics Jim DeRogatis of the Chicago Sun-Times and Greg Kot of the Chicago Tribune, and played a few live renditions of songs from their just-released album, Sky Blue Sky. We've posted MP3's of those performances, but you can download the podcast of the show here and hear Wilco answer questions about the new record. It's a great interview, and you should listen to it (and donate what you can to NPR).

(Jonathan Graef)

Neko Case Live on Sound Opinions

Download: Neko Case - Margaret vs. Pauline (Live on Sound Opinions)
Download: Neko Case - That Teenage Feeling (Live on Sound Opinions)
Download: Neko Case - Sometimes When I Get To Thinking (Live on Sound Opinions)

Here are a few excellent MP3s of Neko Case performing live on Sound Opinions, the self-described "world's only rock and roll talk show" hosted by Chicago Tribune rock critic Greg Kot and Chicago Sun-Times rock critic Jim Derogatis. The show is broadcasted every Friday night on Chicago Public Radio. This week, Ms. Case herself was the show's guest. Click here to download an MP3 of the episode.

The interview segment of the show is really good, with the funny and lively Case revealing the inspirations for "That Teenage Feeling" and "Margaret vs. Pauline," as well as calling Fox Confessor Brings The Flood her most "smart-ass" album to date.

In other related radio news, both Case and her bandmate Kelly Hogan are going to be the guests tomorrow night (4/10/07) on Chicago station WXRT's The Eclectic Company radio show. Here is the webpage for the show, which airs Tuesday nights from 10 p.m. to midnight. Case and Hogan will be playing some of their favorite songs, so be sure to stream the show, as you'll more than likely hear some undoubtedly great music. Ten bucks says that Merle Haggard's name gets dropped at least twice.

(Jonathan Graef)