Welcome to the rock history class you actually want to take! In this installment, Michael and his dad journey from a 13-year wait for Australian prog-royalty to a Motown classic that transformed a child star into a soul visionary.

We kick things off with The Art of Discovery, our mission to find your next musical obsession. This week, we’re featuring three standout independent acts: the Tolkien-inspired, heavy riffs of Fight In The Shade, the post-industrial soundscapes of Above The Snow Line, and the hauntingly beautiful trans-Atlantic collaboration of Sloen featuring the soulful vocals of Swan Porter.

Next, we dive into our main topic: Karnivool’s massive 2026 return, In Verses. After over a decade of silence, we break down how the band and producer Forrester Savell crafted a record that rewards patient listeners with its masterclass in "tension and release." We explore the "Tool-adjacent" grit of "All It Takes," the technical masterclass of Steve Judd’s percussion, and why the 10-minute epic "Sālva"—complete with cinematic bagpipes—is the spiritual successor to Sound Awake that fans have been dreaming of.

Finally, we head into Michael's Journey to discuss Stevie Wonder’s 1965 powerhouse, "Uptight (Everything's Alright)." We uncover the incredible story of how this track saved Stevie’s career during a difficult transition, the secret of the "whispered lyrics" recorded in real-time, and how the legendary James Jamerson and the Funk Brothers created a rhythm so infectious it redefined the Motown sound forever.

Press play to join the journey from the technical heights of modern prog to the soul-drenched streets of 60s Detroit!

(00:00:00) - Intro/What Have You Been Listening to this Week?

(00:08:26) - The Art of Discovery

(00:08:50) - Fight In The Shade "Ghosts"

(00:13:40) - Above The Snow Line "Religoons"

(00:18:19) - Sloen (ft. Swan Porter) "If We Meet Again Somehow (2026 Version)"

(00:27:41) - Main Topic: Breaking Down Karnivool's new release, "In Verses"

(01:20:10) - Question for the Audience

(01:20:21) - Can't Wait

(01:23:51) - Michael's Journey: Discussing Stevie Wonder's "Uptight (Everything's Alright)"

(01:29:10) - On the Next Episode

(01:29:22) - Contact Info/Outro

THE ART OF DISCOVERY:

· Fight In The Shade – “Ghosts” (From the EP: Tales from the Wake)

· Above The Snow Line – “Religoons”

· Sloen (feat. Swan Porter) – “If We Meet Again Somehow (2026 Version)” (From their album: For All the Days Gone)

OTHER BAND MENTIONS:

· Cold

· Story Of The Year

· Sylosis

· Thrice

· U2

· Rob Zombie

· ERRA

· The Dear Hunter

· Foo Fighters

· Shinedown

· I Built The Sky

· Evergrey

· Tomahawk

· Mikael Akerfeldt (Opeth)

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Recorded on 02/21/2026