Your mention of The Hold Steady reminded me, as it was recently reviewed on this show..... There is a Public Radio show, that started on a local station here in Chicago called Sound Opinions. They bill themselves as the world's only rock and roll talk show.

In my current explorations of podcasts I have really been enjoying their current and past shows. The two music critics from the local newspapers here in Chicago are the hosts. I am often impressed with their knowledge of musical history, and have been exposed to several artists that I otherwise would have missed.

The show kinda reminds me of this place when we stick to music. I highly recommend you check out an episode or two.

http://soundopinions.net/

From their website:

Take two nationally respected rock critics, the latest music news, personal commentary, and exclusive interviews and performances, add a huge pile of records old and new, and the result is Sound Opinions, the world's only rock and roll talk show.

Based in Chicago, Sound Opinions is hosted by Jim DeRogatis and Greg Kot, two of the finest and best-recognized pop music writers in the nation. In addition, they are the top music critics and dedicated competitors at Chicago's two daily newspapers, the Chicago Sun-Times (Jim) and the Chicago Tribune (Greg).

Every week, Sound Opinions fires up smart and spirited discussions about a wide range of popular music, from cutting-edge underground rock and hip-hop, to classic rock, R&B, electronica, worldbeat, or just about any other genre you can name.

Sound Opinions' consistently informed, engaging, and controversial dialogue makes it a unique and essential source for the top stories, albums, and trends in music. This is cutting-edge criticism and journalism presented in the great tradition of Siskel and Ebert with a sly wink to the MTV generation and indispensable for their parents, who want to stay on top of the current trends and be the coolest Baby Boomer at the water cooler.

Sound Opinions is a direct result of the experience and credibility of its creators. Jim and Greg are also both critically acclaimed authors who also write for some of the nation's most prestigious rock magazines, including Rolling Stone, Spin, and Vibe.

Before coming to Chicago Public Radio in December 2005, Sound Opinions aired for seven successful years on one of the Midwest's most powerful rock radio stations, Chicago's WXRT. The show has built a thriving community of inquisitive and adventurous fans hungry for exposure to new sounds.

Sound Opinions can now be heard coast to coast on public radio stations throughout the country.