Now I'm reviewing the reviewers...when does it end? There are times I want to reach out and bitchslap Greg Kott and Jim DeRogatis for being so smug and snotty, but in the end I realize they know everything when it comes to rock. They are outstanding writers, dispelling the Zappa quote about rock review being "people who can't write, interviewing people who can't talk, for people who can't read." Something like that, anyhow.
The Sound Opinions show used to be on WXRT and I never listened to it. But now I hope they are home - I find the show well-situated among the high-brow talk format of WBEZ (I will miss their jazz). It works. Each week they discuss new releases and their desert island picks, and they get fantastic in-studio guests. Jim and Greg argue a lot. It's very Siskel-Ebert.
I don't know if this will be a regular practice, but I scored tickets to the first ever taping of the show with a live studio audience - the Chicago sixteen, I call us. Jon Brion was the guest - session player, soundtrack composer, songwriter, producer...I was impressed. The man knows music and is a big fan of the song (as opposed to the 'performance piece'). He's produced some of my favorite artists, including Fiona Apple, Aimee Mann, Rufus Wainwright, and Kanye West (and if you aren't into rap, check this out - might change things for you).
So, if you're moved by interesting conversation about great music, sign up for the Sound Opinions newsletter at their website and be on the lookout for great opportunities such as this. I hope to sit in the WBEZ studio soon - very cool. read more