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! Check us out HERE! **Prog Notes is a podcast dedicated to the genre of progressive rock. E ..read more

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 bet ..read more

Prog rock with a country twang... Is that a thing? Perhaps The Allman Brothers or Lynyrd Skynyrd skirt that line, but they don't really bring prog rock to mind. However, What If, the critically acclaimed second album by the Dixie Dregs, peppers in a healthy dash of Southern rock amidst an album full of prog rock elements. The virtuosic skill of each player, a variety of synthesizers, and unconventional song structures all combine together to create a 40-minute listening experience that nods to progressive rock. While the bluegrass vibes might have been what our Prog Notes hosts first noticed a ..read more

If there's a word that one would never attribute to Dream Theater, it's tame. Unfortunately, that's the kind of impression that Falling Into Infinity left on fans and critics alike in 1997 as the trailblazers of progressive metal succumbed to pressure from new management at their record label to write more commercial and accessible songs. Eager to get back to their progressive rock roots, they burst forth with a wave of creative energy and produced what many credit as the band's masterpiece: Metropolis, Pt. 2: Scenes From A Memory (1999). In addition to sharing the history behind one of the mo ..read more

Fifty episodes! Woohoo! Destin and Drew analyze the significance of the earliest album they have ever covered on the show: Revolver by The Beatles. Released in 1966, this record proved to be a veritable musical playground for the international pop stars as they abandoned their restrictive touring lifestyle and instead embraced a spirit of innovation and uninhibited creativity with the studio and all of its various recording technologies being viewed as another instrument to contribute to their artistic visions. While many may not think of The Beatles when referring to progressive rock, Destin ..read more

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 ..read more

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 featu ..read more

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, wh ..read more

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 dru ..read more

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 ..read more