Progressive Palaver

Bonus Episode – Ranking Porcupine Tree Albums

After eleven episodes exploring the complete Porcupine Tree studio catalog, it's finally time to rank the albums. Joe, Paul, and Ken compare their personal Top 11 lists, debate the strengths of every era of the band's evolution, discuss overlooked gems, surprising favorites, and even introduce a new Progressive Palaver metric: "bangers." Will In Absentia, Fear of a Blank Planet, or Deadwing claim the top spot? Join us for a spirited, data-driven discussion as we wrap up one of our most rewarding Album by Album journeys.

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Theme music provided by: Dave DeWhitt

Bonus Episode – Ranking Porcupine Tree Album Covers

From the dreamlike mystery of On the Sunday of Life... to the haunting gaze of Fear of a Blank Planet, the surreal imagery of Deadwing, the minimalist design of Closure/Continuation, and everything in between, we debate which covers best capture the spirit of the music.

Some choices were easy.

Others sparked serious debate.

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Theme music provided by: Dave DeWhitt

Episode 181 – Porcupine Tree Part 12, The Incident

For a long time, The Incident was the finale of Porcupine Tree. It’s an album that may or may not be reviled by the band themselves. As with many records in the genre, there are outstanding moments and there are confounding moments, a situation that is exacerbated by the presentation on streaming services. Such is life in the modern prog world. We hope you enjoy this Palaver about a worthy album.

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Theme music provided by: Dave DeWhitt

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.

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Theme music provided by: Dave DeWhitt

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.

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Theme music provided by: Dave DeWhitt

Episode 179 – Porcupine Tree Part 10, Deadwing

The Palaver returns with an exhaustive exploration of Porcupine Tree's eighth studio album, Deadwing (2005). The group dissects this often-overlooked masterpiece, often unfairly shadowed between In Absentia and Fear of the Blank Planet.

The episode opens with fascinating context: Stephen Wilson's recent remix projects on Frankie Goes to Hollywood and Tears for Fears' catalog, revealing his meticulous technical process. But the focus shifts to Deadwing—a concept album rooted in an unreleased horror screenplay, featuring contributions from Adrian Belew (King Crimson) and Mikael Åkerfeldt.

The hosts analyze standout tracks including the rhythmically complex *"Start of Something Beautiful"* (featuring Gavin Harrison's intricate syncopation) and *"Open Car," which may be the album's standout moment. Drop-D tuning chords, keyboard textures as dynamic shifters, and Deadwing's bridge between In Absentia's rawness and Wilson's later solo ambitions.

Listen now on your preferred platform.

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Theme music provided by: Dave DeWhitt

Episode 178 – Porcupine Tree Part 9, In Absentia

At long last, the beginning of the “main sequence” for Porcupine Tree, In Absentia! Enter Gavin Harrison and larger-than-life riffs. In Absentia is an album that heralds a new phase of the band’s development. From the last-minute drummer change to the macabre sources we explore what makes this record such a game-changer.

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Theme music provided by: Dave DeWhitt

SCS43 – Nine Inch Nails in Austin TX, March 2026

Joe recounts attending a Nine Inch Nails concert at Austin's Moody Center on March 1st, 2025 with Paul and Ken. He delivers a detailed breakdown of the production: Trent Reznor's vocal performance remains *remarkably fresh*, the rotating band (featuring Robin Finck, Stu Brooks, and Josh Freeze) delivered exceptional musicianship, and the innovative multi-stage setup with live camera feeds created a dynamic, immersive experience spanning three acts.

We debate whether Reznor's evolution from rebellious icon to polished professional represents artistic growth or strategic positioning—and ultimately agree the performance was *stellar*.

What's your take? Have you seen Nine Inch Nails recently?

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Theme music provided by: Dave DeWhitt

Episode 177 – Porcupine Tree Part 8, Lightbulb Sun

Progressive Palaver returns with a deep dive into Porcupine Tree's Lightbulb Sun —the 2000 landmark that shifted the band toward melodic, pop-influenced progressive rock.

The group explores an album that initially sparked skepticism but revealed surprising depths on repeated listens. The Palaver dissects each track, celebrating Chris Maitland's phenomenal drumwork and Stephen Wilson's sophisticated song construction while wrestling with uneven moments.

We appreciate Wilson's willingness to experiment before abandoning directions, and they marvel at how consecutive releases allowed genuine artistic growth during the rich prog landscape of 1999-2000.

What's your take? Did *Lightbulb Sun* win you over, or does Stupid Dream remain superior? Share your thoughts on social media or email.

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Theme music provided by: Dave DeWhitt

Topographic Topics – May 2026

Rarely does a single episode pack in studio obsessions, art world acquisitions, and a 19-minute prog epic all at once. The group sits down for a genuinely exciting conversation that covers a lot of ground in just 65 minutes.

At the heart of the episode is Marillion's May visit to Real World Studios, where they were spotted recording new material. Joe's deep fascination with studio spaces drives some of the best discussion here. The trio also gets genuinely excited about a possible Steve Hackett guest appearance?

What is it about prog fans that makes them so invested in the behind-the-scenes process? That question feels alive throughout this episode.

**Beyond Marillion**, the hosts dig into the Hypnosis story, clarifying that Primary Waves acquired Poe Powell's stake rather than the entire company, and explore Advent Horizon's "Falling Together," released May 15th, with its sprawling opening track "In a Lost and Dreary World."

Finally, Yes's upcoming Aurora album gets enthusiastic treatment, with one host discovering fresh appreciation for "Call to Home" during yard work.

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Theme music provided by: Dave DeWhitt