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Elephant 6 was more than a record label, it was an artistic movement that included the bands Neutral Milk Hotel, Apples in Stereo and Olivia Tremor Control among many others. Hosts Jim DeRogatis and Greg Kot talk with Adam Clair about his book on Elephant 6, "Endless Endless." Plus Jim and Greg also review new albums by Jack White and Sharon Van Etten. 

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Fear Of The DawnJack White

Jack White attained guitar hero status for his work in The White Stripes, but last month released his fourth album under his own name, Fear Of The Dawn. It has a broader sonic palette than his previous albums and Jim and Greg end up disagreeing on how successful it is.

We've Been Going About This All WrongSharon Van Etten

Sharon Van Etten's sixth album We’ve Been Going About This All Wrong is intended to be heard as a whole. There have been no advance singles available before the release date. Jim and Greg agree the wait is worth it, though. They both think this could be the best album she's ever made.

Elephant 6

Author Adam Clair spent 13 years writing “Endless Endless: A Lo-Fi History of the Elephant 6 Mystery.” Three of those years he lived in Athens, Georgia immersing himself in the community of musicians who made Elephant 6 legendary. He discusses the core bands The Apples in Stereo, Neutral Milk Hotel and Olivia Tremor Control and talks about how Neutral Milk Hotel leader Jeff Mangum disappeared after releasing their second album, “In The Aeroplane Over The Sea” and eventually came back for reunion tours- even headlining Coachella.

Featured Songs:

1. The Apples in Stereo, "Seems So ," Tone Soul Evolution, spinART, 1997
2. Jack White, "Taking Me Back," Fear Of The Dawn, Third Man, 2022
3. Jack White, "What's The Trick?," Fear Of The Dawn, Third M

Guitar virtuoso Richard Thompson of Fairport Convention joins hosts Jim and Greg in the studio for an interview and live performance. Later, Jim and Greg review the new album by fellow guitar rocker Jack White of The White Stripes.

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Music News

If you've ever purchased tickets through Ticketmaster, then you probably understand it can be a frustrating experience, especially with those extra fees. Well, as it turns out, some of those fees were misleading. According to a lawsuit, those so-called "convenience" and "facility" fees were actually just ways for Ticketmaster to make a profit. In 2003, ticket buyers began to complain, and now ten years later, the class action lawsuit between Live Nation (which acquired Ticketmaster in 2010) and 50 million ticket buyers has been settled with Live Nation on the hook for almost $400 million. But before you start making plans for what to do with your piece of the pie, beware that the "payment" to wronged ticket buyers will actually only be a limited number of discount codes for $2.50 off your next Ticketmaster purchase.

Richard Thompson

Richard Thompson is a rock survivor, and with each decade comes a new successful era--whether it's Fairport Convention in the 1960’s, with Linda Thompson in the '70s or as a solo artist. (You can check out producer, Joe Boyd, talking about Thompson & Fairport Convention here.) In fact, he's one of only a handful of artists, along the likes of Bob Dylan and Neil Young, who have sustained a high level of artistic intensity and integrity since the '60s. And to further set him apart, he's one of few guitar heroes from that generation without an obvious debt to the blues. Instead, you'll hear blends of Eastern tones, jazz, Scottish balladry and Celtic folk. Jim and Greg agree he's one of the most underrated guitarists and songwriters in folk history and would urge acts like Mumford & Sons to "Listen and Learn." Th

Hosts Jim DeRogatis and Greg Kot have talked about Lou Reed many times before on Sound Opinions, but often the discussion gets focused on the man’s life instead of his music. This week they talk with author Jim Higgins about his new book that reviews every album Reed released in his lifetime. The hosts also review new albums from Common and Jack White.

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The Auditorium Vol. 1Common

Chicago rapper turned actor Common released his fifteenth studio album this summer, a collaboration with producer Pete Rock, “The Auditorium Vol. 1.”

No NameJack White

White Stripes frontman Jack White secretly released his new solo album, “No Name,” by slipping records into shoppers' bags at his Third Man Record locations. Since then, the album has shown up on streaming services and is a return to his guitar-heavy blues rock sound.

Lou Reed’s Music

Jim and Greg talk with writer Jim Higgins about Lou Reed's music, rather than his biography. While there are many books about Lou Reed, Higgins claims his new book is the most comprehensive look at Reeds music ever published.

Featured Songs:

1. Common and Pete Rock, "Dreamin'," The Auditorium, Vol. 1, Loma Vista, 2024
2. Common and Pete Rock, "When The Sun Shines Again (feat. Posdnuos)," The Auditorium, Vol. 1, Loma Vista, 2024
3. Common and Pete Rock, "This Man," The Auditorium, Vol. 1, Loma Vista, 2024
4. Jack White, "Old Scratch Blues," No Name, Third Man, 2024
5. Jack White, "Archbishop Harold Holmes," No Name, Third Man, 2024
6. Jack White, "Bless Yourself," No Name, Third Man, 2024
7. Lou Reed, "Walk On The Wild Side," Transformer, RCA, 1972
8. Lou Reed, "Coney Island Baby," Coney Island Baby, RCA, 1976
9. Lou Reed and John Cale, "Images," Songs For Drella, Sire, 1990
10. Lou Reed, "The Power of Positiv

The Rock Doctors clinic is open for business. Tune in to hear Drs. Kot and DeRogatis prescribe a dose of new music to some listeners in need. Later they review the new solo record by Jack White.

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Music News

More sad news at the top of the show this week. Singer and drummerLevon Helm recently died at age 71, and as Jim and Greg explain, he was a fascinating character in rock, one that might epitomize American music. His self-effacing personality combined with his never-flashy drum style gave The Band exactly what it needed. They also note how extraordinary it was for a drummer to be such an accomplished vocalist. You can hear it on tracks like "The Weight" and "Up on Cripple Creek," and especially The Band's Marvin Gaye cover "Don’t Do It." Fans should also check out Helm's star turn in The Right Stuff and Coal Miner's Daughter.

Family Practice

Time now for The Rock Doctors to open up the clinic. Every so often Jim and Greg like to give back, so to speak, and help some listeners with an ailment of a musical variety. Whether someone is allergic to hip hop or addicted to jam bands, our hosts hope they can provide the right musical prescription. Heck, they've even taken an appointment with Nobel Prize winning economist Paul Krugman.

Before they get to their main appointment of the episode, they run over to the emergency room to take a call from Anne in Philadelphia. Anne is getting married next month and has been racking her brain to come up with a good song for the "Father/Daughter" dance. Problem is, Dad is something of a music expert who likes to dig deep for his wedding selections. But songs like Leadbelly's "Ain’t It A Shame" don't hit the right emotional chord (and aren't exactly crowd pleasers).

So, Anne wants to know what Drs. Kot and DeRogatis would recommend? Greg goes first, suggesting "The Way You Look Tonight." Sure, this Oscar-winner could be an obvious choice, but