Author Archives: Michael Popke

Album review of Leslie West’s ‘Unusual Suspects’

December 3, 2012 | Michael Popke | 0

Leslie West almost didn’t live to see the release of “Unusual Suspects,” a solid star-studded record that doesn’t sound like the work of a 65-year-old. ►

ProgRock Records transitions to new label home

August 11, 2011 | Michael Popke | 2

The recent merger of ProgRock Records into the “progressive” genre at The Record Label makes this a good time to check out some of The Record Label’s non-progressive releases. ►

Trio of King Crimson members to reunite

July 21, 2011 | Michael Popke | 0

Crimson fans, rejoice! Adrian Belew, Tony Levin and Pat Mastelotto have combined the forces of their trios — the Adrian Belew Power Trio and Stick Men — for the upcoming Two of a Perfect Trio U.S. tour. ►

Yes releases first music video in a decade

July 12, 2011 | Michael Popke | 0

Today marks a momentous occasion for veteran proggers Yes. Fly From Here, the band’s first studio since 2001′s Magnification, is released to coincide with “We Can Fly” — the first Yes video in a decade. ►

Israeli band spoofs Dream Theater

July 8, 2011 | Michael Popke | 0

Dream Theater’s three-part, one-hour-plus video documentary chronicling the band’s search for a new drummer reeked of self-indulgence. So Israeli proggers Solstice Coil decided to make a parody. ►

Celebrating Moonjune Records

July 1, 2011 | Michael Popke | 1

New York’s Moonjune Records is celebrating a decade of releasing challenging “non-overproduced music that transcends stylistic pigeon-holing.” Here’s a look at seven key albums in the label’s catalog. ►

Dream Theater streams first post-Portnoy song

June 29, 2011 | Michael Popke | 0

The big news in prog and metal circles today is the debut of Dream Theater’s new song with new drummer Mike Mangini. ►

Symphony X unveils new album cover, track listing

March 26, 2011 | Michael Popke | 0

Symphony X, one of the reigning progressive-metal bands in the United States, unveiled Friday the artwork and track listings for the two versions of its ninth studio album (and Nuclear Blast debut) Iconoclast. ►

British guitarist Matt Stevens’ ‘Ghost’ stories

March 25, 2011 | Michael Popke | 0

With so much legally “free” music available on the Internet these days, it’s easy to go crazy trying to find and listen to everything that might appeal to you. Enter British DIY guitarist Matt Stevens. ►

Jem Godfrey freezes Frost*

March 2, 2011 | Michael Popke | 2

Jem Godfrey, perhaps best known in Britain for producing that country’s popular girl group Atomic Kitten, went prog several years ago with a collective known as Frost*. But he looked back more than once, and now — in a brutal, startlingly honest announcement in the band’s online forum — he’s seemingly put Frost* on ice for good. ►