Off Script: Living Out Loud

Sigmund Snopek followed the path that most '70s progressive acts took toward the end of that decade. From Genesis to Renaissance, Camel to Yes, and Gentle Giant to Horslips, the dawning of the new decade spelled doom or significant changes for the leaders in the progressive rock scene. In many cases a noticeable drop-off or total abandonment of previous songwriting standards and stylistic approaches was the result. Invariably, a more commercial/pop sound infiltrated their music in the hopes of competing with punk, ska, new wave, and arena rock on the changing radio formats. Snopek, who has always been slightly more offbeat than his progressive brethren, possessed more variables for the changing musical equation. His quirky blend of pop, prog, jazz, and rock coupled with frivilous lyrics, subsequently didn't sound as contrived and out of place as did the likes of Genesis and Yes…