Progressive Palaver

After taking August off, Topographic Topics returns with plenty to talk about.

We start with Steven Wilson and our first taste of Requiem for a Village. The new “Village Hall Session” immediately grabbed our attention, with Steven, Randy McStine, and Russell Holzman creating something that feels raw, energetic, and distinctly different from the meticulously polished world of The Overview. We dig into the differences between the live session and studio recording, Wilson’s stated interest in putting the human fingerprints back into music, and the wonderfully elaborate fictional world he’s already building around the album. TopoTops Sep 2026 Transcipt TopoTops Sep 2026 Transcipt

From there, we turn to John Mitchell’s Lonely Robot and the upcoming An Ending. Physical copies may currently be wandering around somewhere between the UK and the United States, but first single “The River” has us very much looking forward to hearing the rest of the record. TopoTops Sep 2026 Transcipt

And conveniently, John Mitchell leads us straight into Asia and the latest preview of Indigo. The more we hear from this incarnation of the band, the more remarkable it seems that Geoff Downes and company have found a way to evoke the spirit of classic Asia without simply sounding like an exercise in nostalgia. TopoTops Sep 2026 Transcipt

Along the way, there are preorders, delayed shipments, a surprising Steve Howe vocal comparison, plenty of excitement about what’s coming next—and even an unexpected Dada Puzzle vinyl unboxing.

It’s Topographic Topics for September 2026: Your Monthly Guide to All Things Prog.

Episode 186 – Dada Part 6, Dada Expanded Universe

Progressive Palaver is back with a fascinating exploration of Dada's extended musical landscape. The group unpack the solo and side ventures of band members—from Butterfly Jones to 7Horse to Michael Gurley's solo albums.

The episode reveals compelling discoveries: 7Horse’s breakthrough moment when their track landed in *The Wolf of Wall Street*, Phil's candid hour-long interview on the Geoff Antonio show discussing producer Ken Scott and Miles Copeland's influence, and the rare 2001 Butterfly Jones album that remains largely unavailable on streaming platforms.

The hosts candidly assess how these projects, while musically solid, lack the magical chemistry of the original three-piece dynamic. They celebrate Michael Gurley's psychedelic production on *Ultrasound* and his storytelling prowess—particularly "Laika," which captures the tragic Soviet space dog's orbit with haunting precision.

The takeaway? These side projects deepen appreciation for Dada's core work, though nothing quite matches the original trio performing together.

What draws you to artist side projects? Share your thoughts on social media or email us.

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Theme music provided by: Dave DeWhitt

SCS45 – King’s X in Houston TX, May 2026

It had been almost three years since Joe had seen King’s X, so when the opportunity came to catch them at Scout Bar in Houston, there really wasn’t much question about whether he was going.

In this Special Concert Series episode, Joe and Paul talk through the experience of seeing a band that has become something of a known quantity live—and why that really isn’t a bad thing. The setlist hasn’t changed dramatically, there are still some frustrations with the vocal mix, and Joe may finally have to accept that he needs to find a different place to stand at the next show. But none of that changes the fact that King’s X remains an absolutely wonderful band to see.

There is plenty to talk about here, including Scout Bar itself, the increasingly impressive King’s X merch operation, the usual spontaneous appreciation for Jerry Gaskill, and Doug Pinnick somehow continuing to do what he does at 75 years old. And then there is Ty Tabor, who unexpectedly showed up with a pair of Gibson Les Pauls and proceeded to produce one of the best guitar sounds Joe has ever heard from him.

Ultimately, though, this episode gets at something we’ve talked about before with King’s X. There is just something incredibly positive about being in the presence of Doug, Ty and Jerry. You walk into a King’s X show already knowing a fair amount about what you're going to get—and somehow you walk out wanting to see them again anyway.

So, yes, we’ll probably be back the next time they come through Texas.

Hopefully Joe will stand somewhere else.

May the groove be with you.

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Theme music provided by: Dave DeWhitt

Episode 185 – Dada Part 5, Dada

Let’s cut to the chase, Dada’s fourth, self-titled album is a masterpiece. It’s that plain. Working with the absolute legend, Danny Kortchmar, the members of Dada were able to craft the perfect album. Excellent production, incomprehensibly great songwriting, and near perfect performances all combine to create a true sonic gem. So why has this record gone virtually ignored? The sales figures for this record defy logic and represent one of the greatest unjust mysteries in the music business. We invite you to our discussion of this exceptional album and to the album itself. You will not be disappointed!

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Theme music provided by: Dave DeWhitt

Special Episode – Interview with Pat and Dan of The Tea Club, July 2026

When Technology Meets the Body: T-Club's Most Personal Album Yet

Rarely does a band wrestle so openly with what it means to be human. T-Club's sixth album *Chasm* was born from grief, health struggles, and one genuinely unsettling piece of performance art involving a prosthetic ear surgically implanted into an artist's arm.

Recorded at Big Blue North studio in Utica, New York, the band worked with producer Jeff Aderman (who also helmed their previous album "If When") to capture something raw and alive. They recorded to two-inch tape, often live in the room, inside a converted church that gave the sessions a natural, atmospheric quality. Candles, lighting, and intentional ambience shaped the final sound in ways that modern remote recording simply cannot replicate.

What makes Chasm genuinely interesting, interesting in a way that goes beyond typical prog rock ambition, is how it balances three distinct sonic worlds: organic rock, clean electronic textures, and stripped-down acoustic pieces. Vintage synthesizers like the Yamaha DX7 and Moog equipment give certain tracks a deliberately pristine, unsettling quality.

Can a band of ten years together finally sound like one unified voice? The answer here seems to be yes, with keyboard player Joe contributing three original songs to the record.

Tune in to hear the full story behind Chasm.

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Theme music provided by: Dave DeWhitt

Episode 184 – Dada Part 3, El Subliminoso

A sad day in Palaver history. My podcast mates don’t seem to perceive the unmitigated genius in El Subliminoso in the same way I do. Dada’s third record shows the brilliant trio continuing to develop both their sound and their songwriting. Not everyone is buying what they are selling, but the trouble seems to stem more from the length of the album and the mid-90’s production than from anything else. Is this record a masterpiece or simply ok? Tune in and hear us try to sort it out.

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Theme music provided by: Dave DeWhitt

Topographic Topics – July 2026

The big news driving the episode is Asia's upcoming album *Indigo*, releasing November 6th via Frontiers Music. It will be their first studio album since 2014, which makes the announcement genuinely surprising and worth paying attention to. Joe shares his deep enthusiasm for Asia across all its iterations, and the group digs into what makes this release feel significant. John Mitchell shares production duties with Geoff Downs, John Wetton receives co-writing credits on several tracks, and both Steve Howe and Mike Portnoy make guest appearances (that guest list alone is worth the conversation).

Can the first single, "The Traveler Into the Light," really recapture the feel of early 1980s Asia, or is it simply the product of a band deeply immersed in its own legacy?

Beyond Asia, the group also covers Steven Wilson's surprise solo album announcement, Rick Wakeman's sequel album "Return to the Red Planet," and a lengthy discussion about the apparently still-viable development of Mike Flanagan's Dark Tower adaptation. They even venture into pedal board frustrations and guitar gear.

Genuinely, there is something here for every kind of progressive rock fan. Tune in and join the conversation.

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X: @progpala

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Theme music provided by: Dave DeWhitt

Episode 183 – Dada Part 2, American Highway Flower

Is American Highway Flower a genius follow-up to Dada’s spectacular debut of Puzzle? Is a good album but suffering a bit from the sophomore slump? The truth likely lies somewhere in between. Join us as we explore this simultaneously engaging and exasperating record. There is a wide range of reactions to this record and we think there is something here for virtually everyone. Spend some time with us as we explore the deepest corners of Dada’s second release.

BlueSky: @progpala.bsky.social

X: @progpala

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Theme music provided by: Dave DeWhitt

SCS44 – The Eagles in Arlington TX, May 2026

Rarely does a legacy act manage to silence a skeptic, but the Eagles did exactly that at Globe Life Field in Arlington, Texas. Joe went in with reservations and came out genuinely impressed, and that shift in perspective makes this conversation worth your time.

What won him over? The sheer professionalism of it all. (The band's attention to sound engineering alone apparently sets them apart from most touring acts.) Core members Don Henley, Joe Walsh, Timothy B. Schmidt, Vince Gill, and Deacon Frey were treated as equals on stage, not as hired hands filling gaps. Henley's drumming on "Hotel California" was a particular highlight. Joe also shares a surprisingly charming story about a Nashville breakfast with Vince Gill, and a candid anecdote involving Don Henley at DFW airport.

The opening act Tedeschi Trucks Band drew mixed feelings, the stadium exit was a logistical mess, and yet the consensus remains clear. The Eagles delivered. If you have even a passing connection to songs like "Desperado" or "Rocky Mountain Way," listen to this episode.

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X: @progpala

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Theme music provided by: Dave DeWhitt

Episode 182 – Dada Part 1, Puzzle

With this episode we start a new short segment on an unexpected band, Dada. A serendipitous find from 1992, Puzzle is Dada’s debut album and is a true gem. Dada were a genre-bending delight that manifested in strong songwriting backed up with top-flight production. This segment is a true joy for us. Prog? Maybe less so than many would hope, but we can’t recommend this album and group enough.

Come along for a delightful ride into a fantastic corner of music.

BlueSky: @progpala.bsky.social

X: @progpala

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YouTube: www.youtube.com/channel/UCw_Xxit3…cJ_7Z__w/featured

Theme music provided by: Dave DeWhitt