Prog Notes

Destin takes us through a tour of underground 1970s gems. Spanning across electronica, jazz, soft rock, blues, folk, Canterbury, RPI, and more, these albums all incorporate pieces of prog rock here and there while still maintaining identities that are fully independent of the traditional "prog rock" sound. Destin briefly explains the unique characteristics of each album to give listeners a taste of what the 1970s has to offer. Get ready for a panoramic perspective of music  from 1970 - 1979!

For this very special episode, Destin and Drew are graced with the presence of legendary guitarist Steve Hackett. In addition to being the lead guitarist for Genesis in their prime as one the most influential bands of the progressive rock genre, Steve has also had a very successful solo career, releasing dozens of albums with material encompassing a multitude of genres, including classical, blues, and world music. In 2022, the 1972 Genesis classic Foxtrot celebrated its 50th anniversary, and to celebrate that fact, Steve has been touring the world performing the entire album end-to-end. While chatting with Destin and Drew, he reveals the personal significance of Foxtrot, its timeless quality, and the joy of playing it live as it was originally intended. He also gives insight into the early years of progressive rock, recalling that bands were blending rock music with a variety of other musical styles and new technology all while aiming to tell great stories. Listeners are sure to appreciate Steve's perspective as he talks about the powerful force that is music. He encourages young musicians to embrace their unique voice rather than blindly following the instructions of others or becoming a stale imitation. That's the spirit of progressive rock!

Destin presents a cautionary tale for emerging bands: Being mistaken for a band, even a band as great as The Beatles, could have adverse effects on your success. It certainly didn't do any favors for Canadian prog-rock trio Klaatu after releasing their 1977 space rock opera, Hope. While this cult classic is considered unappreciated by many devoted fans drawn to this album's eclectic ensemble of instruments, theatrical flair, and sci-fi world-building, the conspiracy surrounding their identity ultimately led them down a path to obscurity. However, this beloved record does strengthen the tie between science fiction and prog rock. Could science fiction be the music of prog-rock? Or could prog-rock be the music of science fiction?

Operatic. Cinematic. Adventurous. These are just a few words to describe what some might consider to be Leprous's watershed album, Pitfalls. Released in 2019, this Norwegian prog metal band defied all expectations by exploring ambient soundscapes with dynamic vocals rather than revisiting their familiar territory denoted by harsh vocals and heavily distorted guitars. Destin and Drew share their thoughts on prog rock's history surrounding the balance between instrumentals and vocals. Can vocal-centric music and progressive rock peacefully coexist in the same musical space? In addition to these musings, the show hosts gush over their favorite moments on the record with another segment of Delve It or Shelve It, which splinters off into a detailed analysis of the rhythmically complex By My Throne, led by Destin Frost. Spoiler: the song includes a 17/16 time signature!

The Prog Notes duo are blessed once more with the insights of Rachel Brown! Together they enter into the ghostly drama riddled throughout Steven Wilson's third solo album, The Raven That Refused To Sing (And Other Stories) (2013). While some listeners may contend that Wilson's work on this album is a bit derivative of classic prog rock bands of the 1960s and 1970s, our show hosts align with others who appreciate his nod to these older influences while maintaining originality with a unique concept album that employs indelible videos to enhance the storytelling for two of the album's more somber tracks. In addition to comparing and contrasting this release to his next project (Hand.Cannot.Erase), the team actually explores each track from a lyrical and musical perspective. After their "deep dive" into the grim storybook of The Raven, Destin, Rachel, and Drew come up for air and discuss the fascinating topic of solo artists in progressive rock. This is certainly a rich conversation on one of Wilson's most critically acclaimed albums. Destin says it best:

"This is what happens when you get an English major, a film major, and an audio engineer reviewing this record."

Destin and Drew jump back in time to 1971 and travel through the seminal album The Yes Album to discuss how this record launched Yes on the trajectory to becoming one of the most formative bands in the progressive rock genre. While employing Steve Howe's superb talents as an eclectic guitarist and crafting lengthier pieces laden with the lyrical voice of Jon Anderson, this progressive rock band managed to keep their ambitious arrangements grounded, resulting in an exhibition of phenomenal musicianship and promising songwriting. From lineup changes to album artwork, this episode features a slew of history and fun facts that give insight into the creation of one of Yes's most celebrated works. Those familiar with this popular entry in the Yes catalog are sure to appreciate this installment of Delve It or Shelve It as Destin and Drew rejoice over their favorite moments on an album that strengthened their friendship.

Destin and Drew disagree about an album? Wait, wait... Is that possible? Well, I suppose there's a first time for everything. In this episode, Moon Safari's Blomljud serves as a point of contention for our hosts as Drew pours out his unwavering affection for the sweet summer sounds, the symphonic prog elements that harken back to the early days of Genesis and Yes, and the intricate vocal harmonies that are reminiscent of Broadway show tunes. Meanwhile, Destin invites us into his "Safari Through Moon Safari" and expresses his ambivalent, albeit respectful, attitude towards this double album, which to him seems too long, overly reliant on major keys, and filled with shallow lyrics and forgettable vocal melodies. However, they both agree it is quite a unique album that is worth the attention of any prog rock enthusiast. This episode also features "Story Time With Drew", where Drew analyzes a track that has a similar tone to that of an old fairy tale, and another segment of "Illustrations And Impressions", where Destin and Drew ruminate on the album artwork. As Drew states, this is probably the "happiest" prog rock album discussed on the show, and whether that is a good thing or a bad thing is entirely up to the listener to decide.

A Canadian prog trio that's not Rush? That's right! This week Destin and Drew cover the "minor classic" Black Noise by FM, and to help them analyze the album and its history, they are joined by Rogan McAndrews, host of Prog Notes Spotlight! While future FM releases may have never held up in terms of popularity, Black Noise demonstrates their musical prowess as they craft a signature sound in this riff-laden space rock journey without the inclusion of an electric guitar, a hallmark feature of rock music. Instead, they infuse layers of electric violins and electric mandolins with spectacular drumming and hypnotic synthesizers to give a rich and full texture that permeates the record, launching the listener into deep space. Along with a history of this underground band, the Prog Notes hosts introduce a new segment called Get Busy With The Facts, where they introduce entertaining bits of trivia that pertain to the album in some way, including details about different sonic hues (i.e. - Black Noise).

That's right. Another Rush album! What a shock. Destin and Drew are joined yet again by the phenomenal Rachel Brown to discuss the "80s Rush sound" that pervades the 1985 release Power Windows. Along with a careful look at how Geddy Lee's voice matured over the years, these three discuss the important contributions of producer Peter Collins, the concepts presented from masterful wordsmith and lyricist Neil Peart, and Alex Lifeson's incredible guitar work that is often overlooked, especially in such a synth-laden era of Rush's catalogue. And to top it all off, the Prog Notes team pontificates on Hugh Syme's evocative album artwork on another addition of Illustrations and Impressions. Buckle up. In this episode, it's all Rush, all the time. No exceptions.

Massive underwater sonic disturbances? A 5-string electric cello? Artwork that resembles cosmic horror monsters? It might seem like a bizarre combination, but these elements blend together to produce Preternatural: one of the most unique modern progressive rock albums by Brighton-based band Moulettes. While the exact category for their sound remains as mysterious as the preternatural phenomena presented throughout the album, Destin and Drew agree that this record has an irresistible charm to it that draws the listener to experience all it has to offer: gorgeous harmonies, electronica-inspired soundscapes, interesting vocal rhythms, and more. In addition to providing a brief history of the band, the Prog Notes team does a comprehensive analysis of the concept behind the album, which was intended as a celebration of nature and its perplexing qualities. As a bonus, Drew tries his best to sing the chorus of one of the songs at an increasingly rapid pace.

Destin and Drew dive into Ocean Machine: Biomech, a very personal album for musician Devin Townsend, a highly regarded figure in the realm of heavy metal. Destin illuminates listeners with the history of Devin Townsend's arduous journey to craft this 1997 release, which adds a bit more sentiment to the album. While not an icon in the realm of prog rock, Devin Townsend has a dedicated following, a fact that is clearly demonstrated as Drew and Destin react to a glowing, albeit slightly verbose, fan review of Ocean Machine. The album serves as a launching pad to discuss the topic of prog rock in the 90s and the sonic shift in tone that came to define the 90s sound.

A concept album about political corruption. Complex arrangements of riff-oriented rocking. Bizarre time signatures. A wide array of keyboard sounds. Obviously, there's a lot to unpack here. Sounds like classic prog. What's more, it's classic Gentle Giant. Destin and Drew marvel at the incredible musicianship of these niche, yet highly esteemed, progressive rock pioneers as they did when discussing their eponymous debut album, Gentle Giant. But they also note how the group evolved into an even "proggier" outfit by the time of their sixth studio album, The Power and the Glory, an impressive achievement considering one of their founding members, Phil Shulman, left the group just two albums prior. This record demonstrates the band's impressive ability to cover an enormous amount of the musical landscape in under 40 minutes. While it may seem jarring, disjointed, or even dissonant at moments, there are so many interesting melodies scattered throughout that one would be hard-pressed to not find a section that calls to them in some way. For Gentle Giant fans, this album is essential, and Destin and Drew contends that whether or not one is already in the Gentle Giant camp, The Power and the Glory ticks enough boxes to be dubbed "true progressive rock."

Who likes video games? Destin and Drew certainly do. Aside from the interactive experiences of gameplay and the wonderful stories they tell, many video games are rife with absolutely stunning music, and much of it is rather complex. So Destin and Drew started wondering: is there a connection between video game music (VGM) and progressive rock? Well, to address this question, Destin and Drew focus on Tempo of Time, a popular YouTube collaboration where the soundtrack of The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time is turned into a progressive rock album. And as an extra special treat, the creators of this epic video, Dr. Pez and Marc Papeghin, talk with Destin and Drew about the process of making this 30-minute long composition, and their history with VGM and prog rock! Don't miss this special bonus episode, covering a topic that isn't usually discussed on Prog Notes!

A polarizing question about one of rock's most iconic records: is Aqualung a concept album? Venturing back to the burgeoning years of prog rock, this episode questions whether Jethro Tull's most successful album (Aqualung, 1971) has enough in common amongst its 11 tracks to be deemed a "concept album." There are certainly themes frequently revisited and characters that are referenced in more than one song, but is that enough? Furthermore, should this release even be considered progressive rock at all? Many of the iconic prog-rock elements seem to be absent, or at the very least subdued when compared to Tull's contemporaries of the day (King Crimson, Yes, Genesis, ELP, etc.). To answer these inquiries, Destin and Drew analyze the music and lyrics in an isolated system that is the album on its own while also contextualizing it with the band's music before and after. While Aqualung may be a head-scratcher in many respects, it all works together to create an incredibly unique listening experience that entices the listener to repeat it again and again.

Nothing like a good cosmic concept album based on Plato's story about the lost city of Atlantis to celebrate the 3rd year of Prog Notes, eh? Drew and Destin dive deep into the themes of Ocean by German prog rockers Eloy and contextualize its significance with the history of the band along with the musical and geopolitical landscape during the 1970s. Drew also nerds out when adding some supplemental information about Greek mythology to the overarching story on this groovy, psychedelic record which many claim has a sound akin to Pink Floyd. Finally, the co-hosts venture into another installment of Illustrations And Impressions as they analyze the compelling artwork on Eloy's most popular record to date.

What Drew and Destin dub as an incredibly "prophetic" album, Porcupine Tree's Fear Of A Blank Planet (2007) predicts the destructive psychological effects that a digitally saturated world can have on younger generations long before smartphones dominated the hallways of elementary and middle schools. The co-hosts dive deep into this topic while also tying the subject matter back to the mesmerizing, yet slightly haunting, music. While the concept may be grim, it turned out to be one of the band's most successful albums, being met with both commercial and critical praise. In another installment of "Delve It Or Shelve It", Destin and Drew describe their favorite moments to each other and demonstrate how Porcupine Tree deftly arrange the songs to place the listener in a dark, yet alluring, world of progressive rock.

The first episode of our first offshoot podcast, Spotlight! The torch is passed, and your two new Canadian cohosts, Chelsea and Rogan, are going to start interviewing your favourite up-and-coming and/or long-established prog artists! This episode holds a brief introduction to them before beginning our first interview with Destin and Drew on their band, Arcane Atlas! We discuss world-building for songs, writing epics, and the history of the project that lead to the creation of Prog Notes! Buckle in, and we hope you enjoy the new podcast!

Is there a connection between jazz fusion and progressive rock? Both genres involve virtuosos performing complex arrangements. They both spawned in the late 1960s. Some musicians in prog rock have ventured into fusion. Here to discuss this topic and promote his newest prog-rock album, The World Is Loud, is Adam Nitti! Adam has had an illustrious career as a master bass player in all kinds of genres and has performed with people like Kenny Loggins, Michael McDonald, Dave Weckl, Jon Anderson, and Marco Minneman. He has also released a number of jazz fusion solo albums that demonstrate his incredible skill on the bass guitar. With The World Is Loud, Adam has returned to his earliest influences of progressive rock and talks about the inspiration behind this record with Destin and Drew. Adam comments on how his career impacted his writing process for this album and shares his perspective as an educator on the future of prog rock.

In just ten short years, Australian prog metal group Caligula’s Horse has crafted five studio albums that have quickly given them notoriety as one of the most innovative bands in the genre. Destin and Drew discuss their highly praised album, Rise Radiant, with the writing duo of this remarkable band, Jim Grey (vocals) and Sam Vallen (guitars). In addition to Drew embarrassing them with reviews, Jim and Sam share their thoughts on the nature of “progressive” music and emphasize the importance of purpose when writing each musical section. Perhaps it’s the combination of Jim’s emphasis on stimulus-response and Sam’s emphasis on audiation that makes this album so fresh. Or perhaps it’s the musical motifs meticulously woven into each track. Maybe it’s the tenderness of the lyrics on gentler tracks juxtaposed against the crunchy guitars and complex rhythms on more aggressive tracks. All of these elements and more enter the conversation on this episode! #deerbutt

Destin and Drew are joined by Marius Halleland and Kristian Hultgren of Wobbler to discuss their critically acclaimed 2017 album From Silence To Somewhere. The music of Wobbler can easily fit into the categories of retro-prog or symphonic prog, as the influences of the early prog pioneers can be heard in the tones of the instruments, the structures of the songs, and the inclusion of side-long epics throughout its discography. However, From Silence To Somewhere carves an identity of its own with its dramatic compositions set within a fantasy motif. In addition to providing a bit of band history, Marius and Kristian illumine listeners with the larger concepts so elegantly expressed on this incredibly imaginative record. They contend that while the album touches on solemn subjects pertaining to life and death, it also includes moments of levity with a wacky character locked up in a medieval tower obsessing over alchemy. From Silence To Somewhere harkens back to an older time, both in terms of music as well as its conceptual setting, and the commentary from Marius and Kristian adds a new perspective to this ambitious album.

Liquid Tension Experiment (LTE) is one of the most recognizable supergroups in modern progressive rock. After 22 years of silence from the studio, the virtuosos have returned to unveil their long-awaited third album, Liquid Tension Experiment 3. In this episode, Destin and Drew are graced by the presence of none other than Tony Levin himself, the legendary bassist and Chapman stick player for LTE. Tony has performed with dozens of prominent bands and musicians in the realm of progressive rock and jazz fusion, including King Crimson, Stick Men, and Peter Gabriel. The three of them discuss the history of LTE, some of the tracks that make this album special, and the powerful chemistry among the band members that allows for such flavorful compositions.

Destin and Drew are joined by Asger Mygind and Nicolai Mogensen of VOLA to talk about their second album, Applause Of A Distant Crowd. VOLA brings an interesting approach to the current state of prog metal by incorporating keyboard leads, soothing yet powerful vocal melodies, and complex rhythmic patterns to this album. During this interview, Nicolai and Asger reveal the band’s organic writing process, a desire to explore different musical directions, and their excitement for their upcoming release Witness on May 21st, 2021. In addition to discussing the inventive and diverse Applause Of A Distant Crowd, the two band members answer a variety of questions from listeners of Prog Notes.

Listen to Destin and Drew take their first steps into the dark and foreboding genre of death metal with the wildly popular prog metal album Blackwater Park by Opeth. Destin illuminates the historical significance of this album with some historical context of the Swedish music scene at the dawn of the 21st century. Drew gives a record of his bizarre listening experiences with a series of personal journal entries. Buckle up for this bumpy, albeit entertaining, ride as it traverses through the sonic topography of this menacing, yet genuinely inventive, album that many people consider to be a masterpiece of metal music. This and so much more on Episode 33 of Prog Notes!

Welcome, as we traverse through the dark, mysterious, and complex layers of Land Animal by Bent Knee. This record reflects the dynamic nature of the band, not only with its bizarre, yet ingenious, compositions but also with its inclusion of two female members, a trait that is not commonly found in a genre typically populated with all-male bands. Destin and Drew discuss the remarkable process of democratic songwriting, a key element to the ingenious innovations on Land Animal, and Drew puts the lyrics under a microscope to uncloak their seemingly shrouded meanings. It's all here on Episode 32 of Prog Notes!

In this episode, we introduce the subgenre of Rock Progressivo Italiano (RPI) with PFM's heralded work Per Un Amico. Join us as we contextualize the significance of this album by discussing the history of Italian culture and comparing it to the English pioneers of prog rock. We hope you enjoy the introduction of a new segment we call "Illustrations and Impressions" where we put on our berets and analyze the album cover and give our take on it! Enjoy!

Another Rush record for the Rush nerds! Voted on by fans, Destin and Drew dissect Rush's Caress of Steel, the often overlooked precursor to their critically acclaimed 2112. Drew delves into the ambitious, albeit overly esoteric, concepts for the longer tracks on the album, and analyzes Peart's lyrics that, even early in the band's career, garnered his reputation as quite the wordsmith. With few radio-friendly songs and high brow concepts that didn't fit the "rock" brand, this album was a commercial flop and was followed by a dreadful tour which nearly resulted in the complete dissolution of the band. However, with all its misgivings, it still holds a special place in the hearts of hardcore Rush fans as it is a stepping stone to the magnificence of 2112, one of their greatest achievements.

What is the Canterbury Scene/Sound? Simply put, it's a genre closely associated with progressive rock that emerged from Canterbury, England in the late 1960s that had a focus on jazz and psychedelic influences. Destin and Drew introduce this genre with Camel's Moonmadness as a backdrop. The charm of this record comes from its excellent musicianship combined with an unassuming presentation. It allows the listeners to familiarize themselves with the group more intimately as each band member has a track that serves as a musical reflection of their personality, similar to Fragile by Yes. It's a simple, yet intriguing concept. Prog rock can often seem self-indulgent, pompous, and pretentious, but the impressive playing and smooth, cosmic soundscapes on Moonmadness produce a listening experience that can easily be described as "refreshing."

Does anyone really understand what Peter Gabriel was trying to say when he created the concept for Genesis' sixth studio album The Lamb Lies Down on Broadway? Seems like a difficult task, but Destin and Drew do their darndest to briefly summarize the bizarre series of events that unfold for the protagonist, Rael, as he journeys through a variety of environments and encounters a myriad of menacing creatures. Regardless of the perplexing plot, the Prog Notes duo agrees this is a fantastic double album and quite the swan song for Peter Gabriel before he left the group shortly after the subsequent tour. It contains some of Genesis' best prog-rock moments in their lengthy career, and Destin and Drew are oh so happy to share them on another segment of Delve It or Shelve It. While the recording and writing of this album may have been fraught with tension amongst the band members, many Genesis fans would agree that the result was an absolute musical masterpiece and a must-listen for any prog rock fan.

Destin and Drew are joined yet again by the ever erudite Rachel Brown to dive deep into the dark cynicism of Pink Floyd's highly praised 1977 record Animals. While this album was heavily inspired by George Orwell's Animal Farm, Roger Waters' lyrics focused more on harsh criticism of capitalist society, rather than Orwell's focus on Stalinism. The co-hosts contextualize the album's angry lyrics and maniacal vocal performances with political and societal highlights from the 20th century as well as references to events in Orwell's Animal Farm. Going track by track, they reveal their analyses of each class presented throughout this concept album (dogs, pigs, and sheep) and how the music serves to reinforce the themes. It's a good ole musical discussion centered around politics, just as Waters intended.

A seminal record in the realm of progressive metal: Dream Theater's Images and Words. Dream Theater is considered one of The Big Three of progressive metal as the genre was picking up steam in the mid-80s and early-90s. Along with Queensryche and Fates Warning, Dream Theater took the cues of the more aggressive sounds of the day and combined them with the quick riffs, longer structures, and epic keyboard solos of prog rock to create the incredibly popular genre of progressive metal, which the prog world has been laden with ever since. Images and Words was a profound leap forward in the innovation and popularization of the genre, and Destin and Drew talk about why. Our hosts contextualize its relevance with the history of metal music as well as analyze the musical and lyrical complexities that give this album such critical acclaim. This episode also introduces listeners to the LaBrie Supercut. What is that, you ask? Well, you'll just have to listen and find out. It's all here on this episode of Prog Notes!

We all know that a key element of prog-rock is the level of high musical complexity. Well, what if you crank that knob all the way up while still holding onto that ineffable feeling of rock? You get math rock. In this episode, Drew and Destin are joined by musical guest PUSHER to analyze the head-spinning compositions on CHON's debut album, Grow. Together they break down the entire album and look at five key musical categories that showcase the impressive abilities of this modern math-rock group: instrumentation/arrangement, form, time signatures, tempo, and keys/chords. CHON has established a cult following over the years, and Grow is a fantastic introduction to their signature sound of quick tempos, erratic time signatures, and layered riffs. For the nerdiest of prog-rock fans out there, get your pencil and paper out as Destin, Drew, and PUSHER take you through the "nitty-gritty" of this math-rock album.

Destin and Drew venture into the first Neo-Prog album covered on the show with Marillion's Misplaced Childhood. This album has been called the "cornerstone of the entire neo-prog movement", but what exactly is neo-prog? Destin and Drew enlighten us with their thoughts on the subject and reveal the elements that separate this genre from the early prog pioneers. Destin has a lot of strong opinions on the term "neo-prog" and its association with symphonic prog, and Drew made his own definition for this 80s genre. In addition to analyzing this perplexing musical movement, Destin and Drew also break down the lyrics and concepts and give their thoughts on this extremely popular and iconic prog album.

Rachel Brown joins Destin and Drew yet again to discuss Steven Wilson's beloved solo album Hand.Cannot.Erase. Incorporating some technologies that are often used in more commercial pursuits (like drum machines), this album seems to have a more modern vibe that flirts with pop music. However, the influence of the classic prog pioneers still shines through with long tracks, ripping bass lines, and mesmerizing keyboard solos, giving this album an edge that is uniquely Steven Wilson. The inclusion of "newer" sounds lends to the themes of isolation and modernity. Our trio of hosts journey into the concepts presented on this album and share the story that inspired the somber moods that pervade this album. Finally, they talk about the peculiar absence of women in the prog genre, both as musicians and fans.

Punk prog. Is that a thing? Well, that's how Drew would describe Deloused In The Comatorium, the debut album of American prog-rock group The Mars Volta. This album certainly takes progressive rock in a whole new direction for the modern age as it gives a more youthful energy than many other bands in the genre. However, the bizarre and overly dense story that accompanies the music is reminiscent of some of the early storytelling from the pioneers, skirting the line of art-rock. Drew stands incredulous at the seemingly incomprehensible storybook that was written by frontman Cedric Bixler-Zavala in conjunction with the music on the album. Some of the terminology in the songs and story seem to require a cipher. Still holding true to a lot of the common elements found in progressive rock, this early 2000s record offers a fresh new perspective to progressive rock, and Destin and Drew talk about it at length.

Shortly following the tragic death of rock legend Neil Peart (January 7, 2020), Destin and Drew pay homage to his life and celebrate his legacy as both the drummer and lyricist for their favorite band, Rush. Destin shares his Top 10 Neil Peart Drum Tracks while Drew shares his Top 10 Neil Peart Lyrics. While the circumstances surrounding this episode are quite mournful, Destin and Drew take this opportunity to enjoy the work of one of their greatest musical inspirations to date: Mr. Neil Peart. Rest in peace.

Discipline, the "comeback album" for King Crimson, and the architects of progressive rock. After seven barren years without any new King Crimson material, music fans were ready for this 1981 release to shower them with fresh new prog-rock tunes. And while the album is certainly innovative, it initially received mixed reviews from both fans and critics alike. The addition of two new members, Adrian Belew (vocals, guitars) and Tony Levin (bass, Chapman stick), combined with a multitude of different sound technologies and instruments contributed to this album being viewed as part of the "new wave" movement. Join Destin and Drew as they analyze each track of one of their favorite records and explain why this new King Crimson lineup was surely a force to be reckoned with.

Destin and Drew eagerly dissect the first album on this show to feature a Polish band, Shrine Of New Generation Slaves by Riverside. From the accessible vocals, dark atmospheres, captivating bass riffs, ingenious guitar compositions, provocative lyrics, and flawless transitions, Destin and Drew analyze all of their favorite parts about this modern prog-rock album. If one argues the identity of Riverside as a metal group, this album challenges this notion. While there are high-energy parts found all throughout the album, there is a cohesive smoothness to the album that is absent from most bands in the metal genre. With Shrine Of New Generation Slaves, Riverside has crafted something that incorporates the abyssal tones of Pink Floyd and Porcupine Tree while still maintaining an energy that is all their own. This music combines so naturally with a collection of profound lyrics to produce a very enjoyable modern prog rock listening experience, and Destin and Drew are only too happy to talk about it!

“For some reason, it seems like we are the only two people who did not like it.” Destin sums up the official Prog Notes position on the album reviewed in this episode. In the deep recesses of progressive rock lives Van der Graaf Generator’s Pawn Hearts, one of the most critically acclaimed albums by hardcore progophiles across the world. While Destin and Drew air out their grievances against this “masterpiece”, they also cannot help but find amusement in many of the reviews that glorify it in… interesting ways. In this bizarre and hilarious addition, Destin and Drew try to make sense of not only the enigmatic three-track album by VDGG, but also the reviews of fans who hold it in such high esteem. Buckle in for the most buck wild episode of Prog Notes yet.

What happens when three incredibly musical brothers who each play a variety of instruments decide to create a band at the dawn of the prog-rock movement? You get Gentle Giant! Destin and Drew discuss the eponymous debut album from the minds of the Shulman brothers, who incorporate fiddles, xylophones, mandolins, trumpets, and a whole slew of instruments to craft their signature symphonic sound. While many compare this release to early King Crimson works, Destin and Drew contend that this album has a unique, gothic, yet folksy quality that gives it a unique identity. Compared to many of their contemporaries, Gentle Giant stayed relatively in the background, but that does not mean they went unrecognized. Any true prog rocker will at least recognize their name, if not fawn over their absurd talent and musical creativity.

One of the most beloved records from the Yes discography, Close To The Edge is an album that almost every prog rock fan recognizes. This is Yes's most successful album to date. However, due to a variety of creative differences, it was the last Yes album to feature Bill Bruford as the drummer before he left the group, but what a note to go out on. Destin and Drew discuss the history of the album and struggle to find a concrete concept to the titular, side-long epic (which is par for the course with Jon Anderson's lyrics). Drew maintains that Close To The Edge has an immaculate blend of complexity and melody and was seminal in the development of the role of the bass guitar as the tones and riffs are prominent and unorthodox, rather than being confined to its traditional role as a rhythmic support system. Drew and Destin also take some time to discuss their enjoyment of prog rock and the shameful, yet unavoidable, pretentious air surrounding the genre.

It's no secret that Destin and Drew are big Rush fans, and this episode focuses on Moving Pictures, the band's most successful album. As a special treat, the hosts of the show are joined by Eric Bezner, the original guitarist of their band, Arcane Atlas. The boys reminisce about the monumental impact that this album had on not only them but also the rest of the world, as this record doubled Rush's fan base and thrust them into the limelight (pun very much intended). From minute details pertaining to possible background burps to the stories behind some of the most recognizable songs in rock, the hosts go through every track and talk about their favorite moments from this amazing album.

While most of the bands in the early days of progressive rock hailed from cities in England, Destin and Drew show that the genre can be found all over the world as they discuss Hawaii, a double album from the Chilean prog-rock group Aisles. This is the first episode to include an interview with members of the band! Gérman Vergara (guitars) and Juan Pablo Gaete (keyboards) discuss their theatrical origins, the artistic themes woven throughout the narrative of this concept album, and the emotional driving force that drives their writing process. While the influences of earlier bands are clearly discernible on Hawaii, Aisles incorporates a variety of musical styles to establish a sound that is truly its own. Gérman believes that Aisles should be able to surprise itself whenever creating something new. The passion that went into making this record is clearly heard on each track, and fans of music everywhere can appreciate the unique personality that comes in earnest from Hawaii.

It is time we venture into the uniquely German subgenre of Krautrock with Future Days by Can. On this album, Can definitely thrive in the experimental spirit of progressive rock as they craft pieces that might be described as avant-garde, experimental, or psychedelic. With the structures of songs being very loose and with an emphasis on sustained moods, one might even say they elicit a "jam band" vibe. While much of the music doesn't seem like it demands active listening, it also exhibits virtuosity in a much more nuanced way than most other progressive rock bands. In addition to the elements on this record, Destin and Drew give a brief history of the Krautrock movement and Can's philosophy of music.

Porcupine Tree is one of the most recognizable names in modern progressive rock, and their groundbreaking album In Absentia has become a classic within the prog-rock community. It turned a page in the history of this preeminent band's career as it ushered in a whole new wave of fans and expanded their sound into the realm of heavy metal. With a wide array of moods spanning from high energy to psychedelic to hysterical, In Absentia does everything except stagnate while still centering on dark themes and poignant lyricism with grace and nuance. It's made even more notable by a loose concept that flirts with the idea of insanity and questions elements of humanity and monstrosity. Destin and Drew discuss this remarkable album in detail and explain why it is such an achievement for Porcupine Tree and why it has become so popular for prog rock fans everywhere.

Destin and Drew jump forward several years and analyze the more modern side of progressive rock with Tool's Lateralus. Tool's approach to their music is quite peculiar and can even be alienating to the mainstream with some of the audacious imagery exhibited on their albums and music videos and the disturbing lyrics put to many of their songs. This wildly successful album combines raw vocals, intense overdriven guitars, and complex rhythmic patterns to engage the listener and gives them a burst of raucous energy. However, this album also presents many intriguing, albeit disturbing, psychological concepts, perhaps with the intended effect of bending the psyche. Not everyone will go down the rabbit hole of some of their fans who have devised quite elaborate theories behind the dark themes connecting each song, but Tool certainly makes one think, and with Lateralus, they have elegantly merged heavy metal with art-rock.

(Pt. 2) Destin and Drew are joined again by the venerable Rachel Brown to discuss the dark, dreamy, and mystifying art-rock masterpiece Tales of Mystery and Imagination by The Alan Parsons Project. Rachel adds some much-needed literary insight as this idiosyncratic concept album is based on the works of 19th-century gothic writer Edgar Allan Poe. While most might not immediately associate an album like this with the early prog-rock movement, many of the "art rock" elements exemplified in the tracks share many commonalities with progressive rock. In this two-part episode, the hosts analyze each track to fully extract all the nuances that make this 1976 release not only a feat of artistic ingenuity, but also an inspired homage to the haunting, gripping, and macabre tales of Edgar Allan Poe.

(Pt. 1) Destin and Drew are joined again by the venerable Rachel Brown to discuss the dark, dreamy, and mystifying art-rock masterpiece Tales of Mystery and Imagination by The Alan Parsons Project. Rachel adds some much-needed literary insight as this idiosyncratic concept album is based on the works of 19th-century gothic writer Edgar Allan Poe. While most might not immediately associate an album like this with the early prog-rock movement, many of the "art rock" elements exemplified in the tracks share many commonalities with progressive rock. In this two-part episode, the hosts analyze each track to fully extract all the nuances that make this 1976 release not only a feat of artistic ingenuity, but also an inspired homage to the haunting, gripping, and macabre tales of Edgar Allan Poe.