17 concept albums that need to find their way into your collection

I’ve had the privilege of traversing through the rich tapestry of music, and these concept albums have left indelible marks on my musical journey. From the sun-kissed Baroque pop of ELO’s Eldorado to the raw, punk-infused introspection of Hüsker Dú’s Zen Arcade, each album offers a unique perspective into the human experience.

Do concept albums, rock, pop, soul, or otherwise, belong within concept art? Well, they certainly do, but there was always a long-winded debate about concept art and its merits, music albums included.

The origins of concept albums in mainstream music are often traced back to the mid-1960s, a period that has been extensively explored in both academic works and popular literature. However, it’s worth noting that concept albums may have started emerging as early as when albums as a medium solidified their structure and style, with jazz and ‘old pop’ (such as Frank Sinatra’s) perhaps playing significant roles in this evolution.

A concept album, as some music enthusiasts like M. Elicker believe and many agree with, is a collection of songs that serve a bigger purpose or theme collectively rather than individually. This common thread may be found in the lyrics, melodies, or the overall songwriting style. However, it’s not uncommon for all these elements to contribute to this connection.

Concept albums that need to be in your collection right now

Instead of delving too deeply into the origins of concept albums, let’s focus on the timeframe starting from the mid-60s, a period that marked significant transformations in pop, rock, and various music genres as we know them today.

Here’s a selection of 17 concept album gems for your vinyl collection. Many of these might already be gracing your shelves. Enjoy the musical journey!

The Beach Boys – Pet Sounds (1966)

Initially considered a significant “leap” or experiment by the Beach Boys, it ultimately proved to be a substantial advancement in the realm of contemporary pop/rock music and is recognized as one of the greatest modern albums ever produced.

As a gamer, I can’t help but be captivated by the timeless melody penned by Brian Wilson and Tony Asher – a tribute to maturity that never fades, whether listened to individually or in its entirety. Despite the “experimental” label it carries, this piece remains as powerful as ever.

The Beatles – Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band (1967)

The Beatles’ “Sgt. Pepper’s Largely” wasn’t the initial concept album in contemporary music, but it undeniably sparked an avalanche of such albums. Despite John Lennon’s (humorous or not) statement: “Sgt. Pepper is labeled the first concept album, but it doesn’t have a journey…it works because we claimed it worked,” the album does indeed take you on a journey through its theme of memories and remains one of the greatest ever produced.

The Kinks – The Kinks Are The Village Green Preservation Society’ (1968)

Ray Davies and the Kinks reminisce about old England in this album, opting for a softer form of rock that blends with English folk music, while still maintaining their blues roots. Critics appreciated it, but it didn’t resonate as much with fans who were accustomed to the Kinks’ garage rock era.

The Who – Tommy (1969)

Known as the initial rock opera (although others preceded it), it turned out to be a significant production, with Pete Townshend exploring some quite grim, frequently painful themes, in addition to addressing the recurring theme of fame. It pushed the boundaries of The Who’s musical and lyrical abilities, and along with another concept album that followed (Quadrophenia), it was ranked among their best works.

Marvin Gaye – What’s Going On (1971)

The album in which a soul-pop virtuoso transforms into a musical prodigy, often referred to as “a national statement,” continues to be one of the most musically and lyrically profound. Not just among concept albums, but among contemporary music as a whole, it showcases the full extent of Gaye’s talent.

Sly And the Family Stone – There’s A Riot Goin’ On (1971)

In response to Marvin Gaye’s query “What’s happening?”, Sly Stone swiftly pointed out that there was an uprising taking place. Similar to the contributions made by James Brown, Stone showcased some of the fundamental elements in funk music and underscored the fact that the 60s era had come to a close, with Gaye’s work serving as a cornerstone.

David Bowie – The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars (1972)

Glam rock was centered around fame, and David Bowie, portraying an alien arriving on earth to be a rock star, established the benchmarks for glam both in the past and present. Interestingly, he also set some enduring standards for rock music with this particular album that remain robust even today.

ELO – Eldorado (1974)

As a devotee, I’ve always found a connection between Baroque and Sunshine Pop, frequently exploring scenarios that were more fantastical than factual. Jeff Lynne and his Electric Light Orchestra magnificently fuse these two genres in their creative realm, which was designed as an escape from the gloomy aspects of our world. “Eldorado” has always been a reflection of dreams, even before it became a reality for us listeners.

Husker Du – Zen Arcade (1984)

In contrast to punk and post-punk’s focus on swift, intense themes, Hüsker Dü flips the script with another gloomy narrative akin to Tommy, portraying a teen grappling with the harsh realities of everyday life. Remarkably, this album emerged as one of the standout hardcore albums, and its impact has grown even more profound over time.

XTC – Skylarking (1986)

As a devotee, I’d express it like this: I find Andy Partridge and the band weaving through life’s recurring phases with a captivating blend of psychedelic music that ventures far and wide, even dipping into jazz, while crafting some of the most poignant lyrics they’ve ever accompanied. Disregard their past disputes with Todd Rundgren, the initial producer; this album remains one of the most luxuriant pieces of work out there.

Liz Phair – Exile In Guyville (1993)

Regardless of how high Liz Phair’s career ultimately soared, this album stands out as a powerful dismantling of the predominantly male music industry, offering profound insights into private relationships that still resonate today.

The Magnetic Fields – 69 Songs (1999)

Analyzing, gathering insights, and then piecing together again, personally speaking, to understand the themes behind a love song. Rather than a few perspectives, it’s 69 unique ones that Stephin Merritt, with his delicate musical style and academic background in literature, pushes the concept album to its extremes.

Radiohead – Kid A (2000)

While Pink Floyd is often seen as the rulers of concept albums, Thom Yorke and Radiohead appear to have absorbed those ideas and offer their thoughts on contemporary technology, its pros and cons, with some people believing the album foreshadowed the 9/11 events. Despite its bleak portrayal, it’s a captivating perspective.

Drive-By Truckers – Southern Rock Opera (2001)

From a passionate fan’s perspective, I can attest that this southern rock concept album is simply outstanding within the genre. It masterfully weaves together various threads of life in the American South, delving into its unique politics and the soulful music it has birthed.

Brian Wilson – Smile (2004)

In 1967, Brian Wilson couldn’t realize his aspirations with The Beach Boys. However, more than three decades later, with a talented ensemble by his side, he managed to bring those unfulfilled dreams to life. The enchanting vision that Wilson had for American pop music, expressed through the psychedelic lyrics of Van Dyke Parks, remained just as vivid in this re-imagining of the original and sometimes overlooked tracks.

Sufjan Stevens – Illinois (2005)

Initially, Sufjan Stevens pledged to create an album for each of the 50 U.S. states, starting with Michigan, but he only produced one about Illinois and seemed to halt thereafter. However, since the Illinois album was exceptionally rich musically and lyrically, it could be argued that Stevens essentially captured the essence of all other states in a single release.

Beyoncé – Cowboy Carter (2024)

Labeled as Beyoncé’s “country album,” it transcends this seemingly straightforward categorization. Instead, it delves into the role and representation of African-American (and female) artists in country music, offers insights on the current landscape of country music and its affecting factors, both internal and external.

2024-10-14 13:00