# Best concept albums - nomination thread **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [September 11, 2013, 4:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-concept-albums-nomination-thread/668554 "2013-09-11T04:43:57Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![It\_s\_Not\_Rocket\_Surgery](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/it_s_not_rocket_surgery/32/312_2.png) [@It\_s\_Not\_Rocket\_Surgery](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/It_s_Not_Rocket_Surgery)\ **Post date:** [September 11, 2013, 4:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-concept-albums-nomination-thread/668554/1 "2013-09-11T04:43:57Z")
I have finally decided to admit to my terrible secret - I LOVE concept albums! Love them, love them, love them. Almost three-quarters of my top desert island discs are concept albums. For the purposes of this thread, we will use the (open-ended) Wikipedia definition of a concept album: _In popular music, a concept album is an album that is “unified by a theme, which can be instrumental, compositional, narrative, or lyrical.”_ So, let’s nominate our favorites! To help get you started, here’s Wikipedia’s [list of concept albums](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_concept_albums). This list is long, but hardly exhaustive or entirely accurate. For example, the following albums are NOT on it, even though they are pretty clearly concept albums: _[A Love Supreme](http://www.abbeville.com/jazz/160.asp)_ by John Coltrane _[The Planets](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Planets)_ by Holst \*[Romantic Warrior](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Romantic_Warrior) \*by Return To Forever _[Watercolors](http://www.amazon.com/Watercolors-Pat-Metheny/dp/B000026FDG)_ by Pat Metheny _[Speakerboxx/The Love Below](http://volume11blog.wordpress.com/2012/01/17/the-concept-of-the-love-below/)_ by Outkast while Load by Metallica IS on the list, for reasons that completely escape me. So if you want to nominate something that’s not listed, particularly if it’s not in the rock genre (like all of the above that were left off), ignore Wikipedia and put it up. I’ll nominate a couple to start: [Operation:Mindcrime](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Operation:_Mindcrime) by Queensryche - Tells the story of a hitman/assassin who is manipulated by the mysterious Dr. X. As with most of these, it plays better than it reads. [Misplaced Childhood](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Misplaced_Childhood) by Marillion - basically an autobiography of the lead singer. I left out several of my other favorites, since they will likely be nominated by others (but I’ll drop in to put them up if I am wrong about that). Nominate away! ---
**Author:** ![installLSC](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/54ee81/32.png) [@installLSC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/installLSC)\ **Post date:** [September 11, 2013, 5:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-concept-albums-nomination-thread/668554/2 "2013-09-11T05:00:58Z")
["Arthur (or the Decline and Fall of the British Empire)](http://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL86B96D43937857E2), relating how the life of an unremarkable working class guy mirrors British life in the 20th century . It’s touching, evocative, and also rocks like hell. ---
**Author:** ![Equipoise](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/equipoise/32/151_2.png) [@Equipoise](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Equipoise)\ **Post date:** [September 11, 2013, 5:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-concept-albums-nomination-thread/668554/3 "2013-09-11T05:11:05Z")
My personal favorite is [The Lamb Lies Down On Broadway](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Lamb_Lies_Down_on_Broadway) by Genesis. (This is cheating a bit, but I love the concept “B-side” of Kate Bush’s _Hounds of Love_ album called **The Ninth Wave** , which is about a woman lost at sea, and most of the concept 2nd disc of her _Aerial_ album, called **A Sky of Honey** , which is a celebration of a day from early morning to late evening.) ---
**Author:** ![Sealemon88](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/c68b51/32.png) [@Sealemon88](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sealemon88)\ **Post date:** [September 11, 2013, 5:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-concept-albums-nomination-thread/668554/4 "2013-09-11T05:57:53Z")
I’ll go ahead and be predictable and nominate 2112 and Hemispheres, by Rush. I also really like American Idiot by Green Day, and Sex Packets by Digital Underground (One of my favorite rap albums of all time). ---
**Author:** ![thelurkinghorror](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/7c8e57/32.png) [@thelurkinghorror](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/thelurkinghorror)\ **Post date:** [September 11, 2013, 6:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-concept-albums-nomination-thread/668554/5 "2013-09-11T06:06:52Z")
[The Protomen](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Protomen). Two words: Mega Man. I don’t know about best, but Local H usually does albums that are “concepty” without being too orthodox in being explicitly a big concept. Cursive, too. David Bowie, occasionally. ---
**Author:** ![GESancMan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gesancman/32/2923_2.png) [@GESancMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GESancMan)\ **Post date:** [September 11, 2013, 6:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-concept-albums-nomination-thread/668554/6 "2013-09-11T06:10:34Z")
> [@Sealemon88](#): > > I’ll go ahead and be predictable and nominate 2112 and Hemispheres, by Rush. Those aren’t concept albums. Two of my favorites, _Lamb Lies_ and _Misplaced Childhood_, have already been nominated, so I’ll add Marillion’s _Brave_. ---
**Author:** ![Askance](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/askance/32/8281_2.png) [@Askance](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Askance)\ **Post date:** [September 11, 2013, 6:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-concept-albums-nomination-thread/668554/7 "2013-09-11T06:21:13Z")
2112 is absolutely a concept album, I can’t imagine what definition you are using that would exclude it. This sadly unrepentant leftover from the hippie era nominates: Dark Side of the Moon Wish You Were Here Animals The Wall Every Alan Parson’s Project album Thick as a Brick Passion Play A Pleasant Shade of Grey Crime of the Century Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars. Lark’s Tongues in Aspic The Point! Journey to the Centre of the Earth The Myths and Legends of King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table The War of the Worlds The Nightfly (Frank Sinatra? Seriously?) ---
**Author:** ![GESancMan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gesancman/32/2923_2.png) [@GESancMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GESancMan)\ **Post date:** [September 11, 2013, 6:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-concept-albums-nomination-thread/668554/8 "2013-09-11T06:29:54Z")
> [@Askance](#): > > 2112 is absolutely a concept album, I can’t imagine what definition you are using that would exclude it. Um, the album consists of six songs that are unrelated to each other lyrically? ---
**Author:** ![mbetter](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/53a042/32.png) [@mbetter](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mbetter)\ **Post date:** [September 11, 2013, 6:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-concept-albums-nomination-thread/668554/9 "2013-09-11T06:36:35Z")
Dream Theater - Metropolis Pt. 2: Scenes from a Memory ---
**Author:** ![lawoot](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/35a633/32.png) [@lawoot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lawoot)\ **Post date:** [September 11, 2013, 6:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-concept-albums-nomination-thread/668554/10 "2013-09-11T06:55:38Z")
If we’re going to nominate concept albums, I’ll have to go with one of the first: [_Freak Out!_](http://www.allmusic.com/album/freak-out!-mw0000192864), by the Mothers of Invention. I think the problem with _2112_ and _Hemispheres_ (both of which I love) is that, while they each have concept _suites_, the whole albums aren’t thematically concepts. ---
**Author:** ![installLSC](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/54ee81/32.png) [@installLSC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/installLSC)\ **Post date:** [September 11, 2013, 8:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-concept-albums-nomination-thread/668554/11 "2013-09-11T08:23:19Z")
[Blows Against The Empire, Jefferson Airplane](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pQVoYRzZwhc). A very sixties concept about ecologically minded hippies who hijack a spaceship and set up their own interstellar commune(!). A mix of blistering rockers (with some great rhythmic piano by Grace Slick) and atmospheric ballads. ---
**Author:** ![Novelty\_Bobble](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/a3d4f5/32.png) [@Novelty\_Bobble](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Novelty_Bobble)\ **Post date:** [September 11, 2013, 8:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-concept-albums-nomination-thread/668554/12 "2013-09-11T08:30:23Z")
Any discussion of concept albums has to at least consider “Tommy” and “Quadrophenia”. Or do they count as rock operas and in a category by themselves? ---
**Author:** ![Steophan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/steophan/32/9595_2.png) [@Steophan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Steophan)\ **Post date:** [September 11, 2013, 8:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-concept-albums-nomination-thread/668554/13 "2013-09-11T08:31:26Z")
Johnny Cash - Blood Sweat & Tears, Bitter Tears Willie Nelson - Red Headed Stranger, Phases & Stages Marty Robbins - Gunfighter Ballads & Trail Songs Drive-By Truckers - Southern Rock Opera There’s plenty of good ones been nominated already, but people tend to forget about classic Country concept albums. ---
**Author:** ![Bridget\_Burke](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/7cd45c/32.png) [@Bridget\_Burke](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bridget_Burke)\ **Post date:** [September 11, 2013, 8:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-concept-albums-nomination-thread/668554/14 "2013-09-11T08:38:54Z")
Two immediately come to mind that I mentioned in another recent thread. _Phases and Stages_–songs about a relationship that ended, from his side & from hers. (Historical note: LP’s had two sides.) And _Red Headed Stranger_–a tale of the old West, using original & traditional songs. (With such spare production values the record company thought it was a demo. It went platinum.) Both by Willie Nelson… ---
**Author:** ![MrDibble](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mrdibble/32/114_2.png) [@MrDibble](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MrDibble)\ **Post date:** [September 11, 2013, 8:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-concept-albums-nomination-thread/668554/15 "2013-09-11T08:49:11Z")
I really like from that list: Strange Little Girls by Tori Amos This is War by 30 Seconds to Mars The Crane Wife by The Decemberists NATO and Volk by Laibach (the latter with Silence) Thick as a Brick by Jethro Tull Trans-Europe Express and Autobahn by Kraftwerk Doubt by Jesus Jones The Downward Spiral by NIN VIVIsectVI by Skinny Puppy Mellon Collie and the Infinite Sadness by Smashing Pumpkins ---
**Author:** ![Art\_Rock](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/art_rock/32/525_2.png) [@Art\_Rock](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Art_Rock)\ **Post date:** [September 11, 2013, 10:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-concept-albums-nomination-thread/668554/16 "2013-09-11T10:25:32Z")
Fear of a blank planet by Porcupine Tree Scarlet’s walk by Tori Amos Merlin Bard of the Unseen by Kayak ---
**Author:** ![Maserschmidt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/maserschmidt/32/18829_2.png) [@Maserschmidt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Maserschmidt)\ **Post date:** [September 11, 2013, 10:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-concept-albums-nomination-thread/668554/17 "2013-09-11T10:31:08Z")
> [@lawoot](#): > > I think the problem with _2112_ and _Hemispheres_ (both of which I love) is that, while they each have concept _suites_, the whole albums aren’t thematically concepts. I agree that 2112 is not a concept album. > [@Novelty\_Bobble](#): > > Any discussion of concept albums has to at least consider “Tommy” and “Quadrophenia”. > > Or do they count as rock operas and in a category by themselves? I believe rock opera is part of the set defined as ‘concept’, so these would be included. I’d add “David Comes to Life” by Fucked Up. ---
**Author:** ![Mean\_Mr.Mustard](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mean_mr.mustard/32/3865_2.png) [@Mean\_Mr.Mustard](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mean_Mr.Mustard)\ **Post date:** [September 11, 2013, 10:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-concept-albums-nomination-thread/668554/18 "2013-09-11T10:44:28Z")
**Elton John** : Captain Fantastic and the Brown Dirt Cowboy **Jethro Tull** : Too Old To Rock and Roll, Too Young To Die **Lou Reed** : New York **Alice Cooper** : Welcome To My Nightmare **David Bowie** : Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars mmm ---
**Author:** ![astorian](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ad7895/32.png) [@astorian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/astorian)\ **Post date:** [September 11, 2013, 11:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-concept-albums-nomination-thread/668554/19 "2013-09-11T11:05:34Z")
_ **The Kinks Are the Village Green Preservation Society** _ ---
**Author:** ![VunderBob](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/839c29/32.png) [@VunderBob](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/VunderBob)\ **Post date:** [September 11, 2013, 11:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-concept-albums-nomination-thread/668554/20 "2013-09-11T11:27:47Z")
Pink Floyd’s Wish You Were Here, a tribute to Syd Barrett. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-concept-albums-nomination-thread/668554.md?page=2)