Progressive Palaver

SCS40 – ProgStock 2025

A little late in releasing, but the Palaver gets to share our thoughts on ProgStock 2025 along with some help from Bleeding Edge’s Dave Ayers. Paul, Ken, and Dave were able to attend the annual festival in Rutherford NJ in 2025. As usual, there was a full schedule of prog acts from the full spectrum. The Cyberium, IO Earth, Beer with Dolphins, SerenGazer, and, of course, h natural were all big draws. This episode covers many of the acts and is a delightful revisit to a spectacular weekend of outstanding music. Enjoy!

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Theme music provided by: Dave DeWhitt

Episode 169 – Steven Wilson Part 7, The Harmony Codex

The Palaver group convenes for an in-depth track-by-track analysis of Wilson's ambitious pandemic-era project. What initially seemed derivative revealed itself as something entirely original upon closer inspection.

The Harmony Codex requires *intentional listening*—passive background consumption misses the intricate layering, jazz harmonies, and Trevor Horn-inspired production that define each track. Songs like "Inclination" (7+ minutes) and "Love at All" showcase Wilson's masterful compositional unpredictability: layered vocals, sophisticated harmonic shifts, and guitar work that rewards repeated engagement.

We explore standout moments—Pat Mastelotto's drumming complexity, Adam Holtzman's modular synth innovation, and the cinematic "Harmony Codex" track with its animated visuals that amplify emotional impact.

BlueSky: @progpala.bsky.social

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

Theme music provided by: Dave DeWhitt

Bonus Episode – Genesis Revisited, March 2026

What began as a spring break car ride listening to *Invisible Touch* evolved into a comprehensive reexamination of Genesis's entire catalog. Joe candidly explores how his podcast preparation has fundamentally changed his listening habits, replacing spontaneous months-long binges with more critical, intentional engagement.

But here's what makes this episode compelling: **the numbers**. Between 1980-1992, Genesis and its members accumulated an estimated **113 million global album sales**—placing them alongside Michael Jackson, U2, and Bon Jovi. *No Jacket Required* and *So* ranked among the era's top-selling albums.

Joe defends this prolific period against longtime skepticism, arguing that *good musicians produce quality work regardless of genre*. He walks us through standout tracks, underappreciated albums like *We Can't Dance*, and rediscoveries that challenged his own expectations.

**The question for you:** Which Genesis era resonates most with your listening journey—their progressive roots or their commercial peak?

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

Episode 168 – Yes Steel Cage Match

Three eras. Three visions. One band’s legacy.

On this special episode of Progressive Palaver, we step into a Yes Steel Cage Match — comparing:

• True (Jon Anderson & The Band Geeks)

• Rio (Trevor Rabin)

• Mirror to the Sky (Yes)

Different lineups. Different sounds. Same DNA.

We break down the music, the identity of each project, and what it all means for the legacy of Yes in 2025.

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 DeWhit

After years of hearing his co-hosts rave about Styx, Joe Boclair finally made it to see them live at the Germania Insurance Amphitheater in Austin—the one built right into the Circuit of the Americas Formula One racetrack. He even bought a Mr. Roboto shirt as a playful nod to Paul Zotter, Ken Gregory, and Tom Corkran. (His wife Sarah came along too, naturally.)

The triple bill featured Don Felder running through Eagles classics like "Hotel California" and "Life in the Fast Lane," followed by the Kevin Cronin Band—yes, that's REO Speedwagon minus the REO Speedwagon name, possibly due to some contractual drama. Despite being in his seventies, Cronin's vocals were impressively strong. The crowd was unusually diverse for a prog rock show, featuring some unforgettable characters including one older gentleman sporting punk-rock style with blue-pink spiky hair and Batman tattoos.

Then Styx took the stage. **Larry Gowan's theatrical keyboard theatrics** in his sparkly purple coat were mesmerizing, while Tommy Shaw remained refreshingly laid-back, content to let others shine while delivering impressive vocals. J.Y. held down center stage with his sharp metallic green Stratocaster. Tommy's performance on "Man in the Wilderness" exceeded all expectations—until lightning struck nearby and forced an evacuation during "Castle Walls."

X: @progpala

BlueSky: @progpala.bsky.social

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

Episode 167 – Peter Gabriel Part 11, i/O

Peter Gabriel's I.O. is a masterclass in production and artistry, but the release strategy nearly derailed it. On Progressive Palaver, we break down why this 17-year recording journey matters and where Gabriel's vision shines brightest.

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

Bonus Episode – Apple TV’s Foundation Season 3 Recap

Joe and Sarah take some time to recap the third season of Foundation on Apple TV. The adaptation of this book series continues to surprise and amaze. This show is able to present all the important aspects of the original story in new and fascinating ways. It feels fresh in ways that likely won’t alienate longtime fans. We cover the story, the actors, and throw in some superlatives for good measure. Enjoy this until we get to do our season 4 preview!

X: @progpala

Instagram: www.instagram.com/progressivepalaver/

BlueSky: @progpala.bsky.social

Facebook: www.facebook.com/ProgPala

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

Theme music provided by: Dave DeWhitt

Episode 166 – David Gimour Part 1, Luck and Strange

Our first David Gilmour solo episode covers his most recent album. In (somewhat) typical Palaver fashion we start at the end of the Gilmour solo catalog to cover Luck and Strange. On this record we find a guitar god from our collective past who is living beyond boundaries. Fresh yet familiar, Luck and Strange finds Gilmour expressing familiar ideas with new collaborators. Some people just improve with time!

X: @progpala

Instagram: www.instagram.com/progressivepalaver/

BlueSky: @progpala.bsky.social

Facebook: www.facebook.com/ProgPala

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

Theme music provided by: Dave DeWhitt

Special Episode – Interview with Rylee and Cason of Advent Horizon, March 2026

We at the Palaver had the excellent opportunity to sit down with Rylee and Cason of Advent Horizon recently. It was an outstanding conversation discussing their upcoming album Falling Together. Rylee and Cason were able to provide a glimpse into how Advent Horizon music gets written and recorded. They present a fascinating set of experiences that yield their compelling brand of prog rock. We hope you enjoy this fantastic conversation.

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

Advent Horizon website: www.adventhorizonmusic.com/

Episode 165 – Marillion Part 17 – Seasons End 2022 Remix

Finishing out our early 2020’s remix segment, we consider Marillion’s 2022 remix of Seasons End. The question going in was what would (or could) they do with such a fantastic original recording? As usual, the group considers this remix from all the angles. We hope you enjoy revisiting this classic record with us.

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