Author Topic: Top concept albums of all time (Read 22355 times)

Dave Michuda · « **on:** January 06, 2011, 02:47:13 PM »

I stumbled on an article at gibson.com about the greatest concept albums of all time. It's an interesting discussion, not the least of which is, what makes an album a concept album?

Here's a link to the original article... http://www.gibson.com/en-us/Lifestyle/Features/concept-albums-1230-2010/

It's not a bad list, although there is no way I'd put that schlocky Alice Cooper album in there. What do you think?

Here's my personal top ten...

1. Genesis - Lamb Lies Down on Broadway
2. Pink Floyd - Dark Side of the Moon
3. David Bowie - Ziggy Stardust & The Spiders from Mars
4. The Who - Quadrophenia
5. Green Day - American Idiot
6. David Bowie - Diamond Dogs
7. Pink Floyd - Animals, Wish You Were Here, The Wall
8. Sufjan Stevens - Illinois
9. Jethro Tull - Thick as a Brick
10. Moody Blues - Days of Future Passed

I think I'd like to add one more to the list, maybe bump down the Moody Blues & put William Basinski - The Disintegration Loops at #10.

mgriffin · « **Reply #1 on:** January 06, 2011, 07:48:32 PM »

I'd put Lamb Lies Down on Broadway lower, and The Wall higher, and I'd add 2112 by Rush, but your list is pretty good.

There are lots of borderline concept albums, you know? With a sort of unifying concept, but not every song aligned to some central idea. To me, Back in Black by AC/DC is a concept album.

ffcal · « **Reply #2 on:** January 06, 2011, 08:04:25 PM »

They don't make 'em like they used to. That's a pretty good list, Dave, but I'd stretch the idea of concept a little and add these (in no particular order):

Jade Warrior - Kites
Radiohead - OK Computer
Randy Newman - Gold Old Boys
John Cale - Paris 1919
Stomu Yamashta's Go
Supertramp - Crime of the Century

Forrest

Dave Michuda · « **Reply #3 on:** January 06, 2011, 09:03:37 PM »

2112 was on the Gibson.com list & it was fun to see people complain that it's not a concept album because only one side was "concept". I'd probably have it in my top 20.

A lot of others complaints about the Gibson list related to Sgt. Pepper being in there. A lot of folks saying that it's not a concept album, that just because it might be connected musically doesn't make it a "concept" album. Who knows?! But it sure is fun to discuss & bitch about.

hdibrell · « **Reply #4 on:** January 06, 2011, 10:18:32 PM »

I'd also include the Kinks' Village Green Preservation Society, sort of a concept album and my favorite, Gong's Radio Gnome Trilogy. Oh yeah, Forrest, Jade Warrior's Kites is a great choice!

Sighthound · « **Reply #5 on:** January 07, 2011, 07:32:04 AM »

Yes - Tales of Topographic Oceans

Seren · « **Reply #6 on:** January 07, 2011, 11:35:09 AM »

Hawkwind - Space Ritual

headonist · « **Reply #7 on:** January 07, 2011, 11:38:50 AM »

Every prog rock album ever made!

Wayne Higgins · « **Reply #8 on:** January 07, 2011, 03:02:13 PM »

Where's Johnny Cash "Ballads of the True West"?

mgriffin · « **Reply #9 on:** January 07, 2011, 03:19:11 PM »

There's no official list -- so if you have something you want on the list, then put it on your list!

My list has Back in Black on it.

Paul Vnuk (Ma Ja Le) · « **Reply #10 on:** January 07, 2011, 03:19:16 PM »

Frank Sinatra Conducts Tone Poems Of Color!

Paul Vnuk (Ma Ja Le) · « **Reply #11 on:** January 07, 2011, 03:21:29 PM »

The Beatles "Sgt. Pepper"
Frank Zappa "We're Only In It For The Money"

hdibrell · « **Reply #12 on:** January 07, 2011, 10:04:34 PM »

Quote from: headonist on January 07, 2011, 11:38:50 AM

Every prog rock album ever made!

hjalmer · « **Reply #13 on:** January 10, 2011, 11:50:15 AM »

here is a list from flavorwire...

http://flavorwire.com/141239/the-10-most-gloriously-geeky-concept-albums-of-all-time

h

LNerell · « **Reply #14 on:** January 13, 2011, 01:14:05 PM »

Quote from: Paul Vnuk (Ma Ja Le) on January 07, 2011, 03:21:29 PM

The Beatles "Sgt. Pepper"
Frank Zappa "We're Only In It For The Money"

I thought they were the same album?!?

jkn · « **Reply #15 on:** January 13, 2011, 01:41:33 PM »

Every "Mystic Moods Orchestra" album made.

Hypnagogue · « **Reply #16 on:** January 16, 2011, 08:31:40 PM »

I would be denying my youthful obscure rock heritage if I didn't try to at least get passing honorable mention for "Violation" by Starz. High concept? No. Concept? Sure.

9dragons · « **Reply #17 on:** January 17, 2011, 02:18:50 AM »

I would strongly second Hawkwind's Space Ritual. A sweeping concept with great art and poetry (Calvert and Moorcock) to add literary flair.

Seren · « **Reply #18 on:** January 17, 2011, 06:26:03 AM »

Quote from: 9dragons on January 17, 2011, 02:18:50 AM

I would strongly second Hawkwind's Space Ritual. A sweeping concept with great art and poetry (Calvert and Moorcock) to add literary flair.

the CD/DVD release included a booklet that gave a lot of background to the various concepts involved, all of which were played out in the gigs down to colours and positioning of band members.......

...though i think they would have liked to have taken it all further than was possible at the time, maybe even now....

SunDummy · « **Reply #19 on:** January 17, 2011, 10:16:37 AM »

The entire Magma catalog is one big concept album.

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Author Topic: Top concept albums of all time (Read 22355 times)