Progressive Palaver

Progressive Palaver

This is a podcast by a group of lifelong friends and appreciators of music discussing the greatest progressive rock bands, album by album.

  1. Topographic Topics - June 2026

    2d ago

    Topographic Topics - June 2026

    Topographic Topics – June 2026 Rarely does a single episode pack in Rush's triumphant return, the latest release from Prog cornerstone Yes, a sprawling Devin Townsend epic, and a children's book about stage fright, but here we are. Joe and Paul dive deep into Rush's recent Los Angeles concerts featuring new drummer Annika Niles, whose Neil Peart-honoring performances have sent social media into a frenzy. The early doubters, it turns out, had nothing to worry about. Geddy Lee and Alex Lifeson made exactly the right call, and the band's preparation of approximately 38 different songs across shows reflects genuine care for their fans' emotional journey. (Front-row Toronto seats hitting $31,000 on the secondary market is genuinely staggering, though.) Thoughtfully, the guys also cover Yes's newly released album Aurora, praising Steve Howe's acoustic contributions while noting the overpolished orchestration feels a little too pristine. What does it mean when a band's music becomes so effortless it loses its grit? Paul also walks through Devin Townsend's decade-long "The Moth" project, recommending tracks like "Covered by Causes" as entry points into its massive scope. The episode closes with warm celebration of Tom Corkran’s children's book launching July 4th at spooksters.rocks. Tune in for a conversation that covers progressive rock from every angle imaginable. BlueSky: @progpala.bsky.social X: @progpala Instagram: www.instagram.com/progressivepalaver/ Facebook: www.facebook.com/ProgPala YouTube: www.youtube.com/channel/UCw_Xxit3…cJ_7Z__w/featured Theme music provided by: Dave DeWhitt

    45 min
  2. Episode 180 - Porcupine Tree Part 11, Fear of a Blank Planet

    3d ago

    Episode 180 - Porcupine Tree Part 11, Fear of a Blank Planet

    Episode 180 – Porcupine Tree Part 11, Fear of a Blank Planet Rarely does an album get called a band's *true apex* when the world has already crowned a different record their masterpiece. That tension sits at the heart of this conversation about Porcupine Tree's "Fear of a Blank Planet," and it makes for a genuinely compelling listen. From the moment we dig into Steven Wilson's guitar work and Richard Barbieri's carefully balanced keyboard contributions, the passion is infectious. The album's conceptual depth draws heavily from Brett Easton Ellis's 2005 novel "Lunar Park," and the title itself nods to Public Enemy's "Fear of a Black Planet," reframing the conversation around youth mental health rather than race. Because Wilson toured the material before recording it, the result feels more cohesive and band-driven, a collaborative sound that stands distinctly apart from his earlier solo-dominated vision. The analysis goes deep. The 17-minute "Anesthetize" features a guest solo from Alex Lifeson (yes, that Alex Lifeson), and Gavin Harrison's rhythmic illusions in "Sentimental" get a thorough and entertaining breakdown. What does it mean when a song still feels unsettling after multiple listens? Genuinely, this conversation rewards patient listening, much like the album itself. BlueSky: @progpala.bsky.social X: @progpala Instagram: www.instagram.com/progressivepalaver/ Facebook: www.facebook.com/ProgPala YouTube: www.youtube.com/channel/UCw_Xxit3…cJ_7Z__w/featured Theme music provided by: Dave DeWhitt

    1h 14m
4.5
out of 5
27 Ratings

About

This is a podcast by a group of lifelong friends and appreciators of music discussing the greatest progressive rock bands, album by album.

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