Progressive Palaver

Bonus Episode – Ranking Epic Yes Songs

Inspired by seeing Friends of the Palaver, Total Mass Retain, the group returns to the world of Yes music to consider epic Yes songs. After arbitrarily defining an epic (original studio version runtime greater than 15 minutes), Progressive Palaver set off to discuss and rank the eleven songs that meet our criteria. From the classics Close to the Edge and Gates of Delirium through the arena rock neo-prog Endless Dream to the late-model Mind Drive and That That Is, we cover Yes in all its incarnations. There are some twists turns and surprises along the way. Let us know where you think we got it right and where we didn't.

Twitter: @progpala

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YouTube: www.youtube.com/channel/UCw_Xxit3D8wbv-AcJ_7Z__w/featured

Theme music provided by: Dave DeWhitt

Episode 134 – Queensryche Part 9, Empire Pt 2

In this second episode on the monster album Empire, the group completes our discussion from Della Brown through the end of the album (with a bit of extra time on the bonus tracks). Hopefully, we will leave you pondering deep philosophical questions like does Empire have the Whitesnake production, but with more thoughtfulness? Do parts of Empire sound too much like Bon Jovi? Are the orchestral tracks on Silent Lucidity the Death Star plans that doomed Queensryche? The whole discussion comes to a head in a 2 v 2 on, of all tracks, One and Only. Twists and turns abound as we look into as many corners of this landmark album as we can find.

Twitter: @progpala

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YouTube: www.youtube.com/channel/UCw_Xxit3D8wbv-AcJ_7Z__w/featured

Theme music provided by: Dave DeWhitt

Episode 133 – Queensryche Part 8, Empire Pt 1

Empire, the album that broke Queensryche wide open. This episode sees the group reliving more fond memories of our friendship as we consider the merits of this most excellent and yet commercial album. There is plenty of hyperbole on both ends of the spectrum fueling our palaver. Empire provides much to satisfy a progmetal fan. Excellent drumming and drum sounds? Check. Crisp vocals and lyrics? Check. Tasty guitar work all around? Check. While we only get through the first part of this record on this episode, the conversation is genuinely fun and leaves room for more. Enjoy!

Twitter: @progpala

Email: [email protected]

Facebook: www.facebook.com/ProgPala

YouTube: www.youtube.com/channel/UCw_Xxit3D8wbv-AcJ_7Z__w/featured

Theme music provided by: Dave DeWhitt

Bonus Episode – Why Joe No Longer Supports Roger Waters

In this Palaver for one, Joe lays out his reasons for no longer supporting Roger Waters. Joe briefly explains his somewhat difficult history with Roger and frames the whole story with the live shows of 2017 and 2022. Ultimately the tale ends with an explanation of how Roger’s online behavior has led to the decision to simply move on from the founder of one of prog rock’s greatest bands.

Twitter: @progpala

Email: [email protected]

Facebook: www.facebook.com/ProgPala

YouTube: www.youtube.com/channel/UCw_Xxit3D8wbv-AcJ_7Z__w/featured

Theme music provided by: Dave DeWhitt

Episode 132 – Queensryche Part 7, Operation: Mindcrime Live

We are not QUITE finished with Operation: Mindcrime. In this episode Joe and Paul, with a cameo from Ken in the middle, consider live performances of this epic concept album. Of course we have to start with the (apparently) timeless Operation: Livecrime. While Livecrime captures the band and their height, Mindcrime at the Moore provides a slightly different and more graphic interpretation of the work by a band that has grown in many different ways. We have a great time comparing and contrasting these two performances, as well as sprinkling in some of Geoff’s more recent performances of this material. Four episodes in and there is still much to say about this seminal album.

Twitter: @progpala

Facebook: www.facebook.com/ProgPala

YouTube: www.youtube.com/channel/UCw_Xxit3D8wbv-AcJ_7Z__w/featured

Theme music provided by: Dave DeWhitt

Star Wars Palaver – The Book of Boba Fett, Season 1

SPOILER ALERT – The episode will spoil Season 1 of The Book of Boba Fett. If you do not want to be spoiled, watch the full season before listening

The group spends some time catching up on The Book of Boba Fett. As usual, we consider the general landscape of the series including, characters, plot points, and visuals. We explore the connections between this show and others in the canon and ask ourselves some probing questions. Is there too much Tatooine in the Star Wars universe? Is this the Boba Fett we always imagined (and wanted to see)? Is The Book of Boba Fett a spinoff of The Mandalorian? All this and so much more in this fun Star Wars palaver.

Twitter: @progpala

Email: [email protected]

Facebook: www.facebook.com/ProgPala

YouTube: www.youtube.com/channel/UCw_Xxit3D8wbv-AcJ_7Z__w/featured

Theme music provided by: Dave DeWhitt

Episode 131 – Queensryche Part 6, Operation: Mindcrime Pt 3

The group finally reaches the end of Operation: Mindcrime! Picking up with The Mission, the Palaver continues this labor of love. We touch on all the story points, the stellar music, and, of course, Tate’s mind-bending vocals. The second half of Mindcrime is rich with indicators for where the band will go next, while maintaining the relentless pace of the record. The impacts are multiple and significant as we complete our exploration of this seminal album. Enjoy!

Twitter: @progpala

Email: [email protected]

Facebook: www.facebook.com/ProgPala

YouTube: www.youtube.com/channel/UCw_Xxit3D8wbv-AcJ_7Z__w/featured

Theme music provided by: Dave DeWhitt

Special Episode – Interview with Joe C, Joel S, and Johnny B of Total Mass Retain – January 2023

In this special episode we catch up with Joe Cass, Joel Simches, and Johnny Bruhns of the Yes tribute band Total Mass Retain. It’s been about a year since we’ve chatted together and it was great to talk about the wonderful music of Yes. It was the first time for us at the Palaver to meet guitarist Johnny Bruhns and we were thrilled to hear his perspective of the music that we all enjoy so much. Joe and Joel, as usual, bring their unbridled enthusiasm to the conversation. As one might expect, we cover a broad range of topics from setlists to future plans. As this is published, we are gearing up to see TMR at the City Winery in Philadelphia for what promises to be a “kick ass” show.

Twitter: @progpala

Email: [email protected]

Facebook: www.facebook.com/ProgPala

YouTube: www.youtube.com/channel/UCw_Xxit3D8wbv-AcJ_7Z__w/featured

Theme music provided by: Dave DeWhitt

Episode 130 – Queensryche Part 5, Operation: Mindcrime Pt 2

We finally get into the music of Operation: mindcrime (after a short detour into the myriad differences between heavy metal, hair metal, and hard rock). We narrowly avoid the pitfall of “is Chris DeGarmo the Phil Collins of Queensryche” (that’s a joke!) before we get eyeballs deep in the delightful soundscape that is the first half of this album. We consider the songwriting, production and world-building of a band at their peak. This album presents a host of delights in which we revel. We hope you enjoy this palaver and album as much as we do.

Twitter: @progpala

Facebook: www.facebook.com/ProgPala

YouTube: www.youtube.com/channel/UCw_Xxit3D8wbv-AcJ_7Z__w/featured

Theme music provided by: Dave DeWhitt

Episode 129 – Queensryche Part 4, Operation: Mindcrime Pt 1

There was tremendous excitement leading up to this first (of several) discussions of Operation: mindcrime. High spirits and hyperbole abound as we consider the general aspects of Queensryche’s landmark third full-length release. We consider all the appropriate (and inappropriate) context we could find as we walk around the outside of this highly regarded record. We consider concept albums, production, inspiration, and general context as we try to frame out the beauty that is mindcrime!

Twitter: @progpala

Facebook: www.facebook.com/ProgPala

YouTube: www.youtube.com/channel/UCw_Xxit3D8wbv-AcJ_7Z__w/featured

Theme music provided by: Dave DeWhitt