General Music Discussions - Concept albums not on PA (including Prog related)

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Concept albums not on PA (including Prog related)

Printed From: Progarchives.com
Category: Other music related lounges
Forum Name: General Music Discussions
Forum Description: Discuss and create polls about all types of music
URL: http://www.progarchives.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=132777
Printed Date: November 26 2024 at 08:54
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Topic: Concept albums not on PA (including Prog related)

Posted By: Saperlipopette!
Subject: Concept albums not on PA (including Prog related)
Date Posted: April 02 2024 at 22:04

I actually started thinking about this because I’ve decided to give Carole King a try this week. So I stumbled over «Fantasy». Which to me feels like her gentle and rather exquisite «What’s Going On» sort of album. It’s a worldview as seen through her lens and one song flows into the next. Sure it doesn’t hit as hard as Gaye’s masterpiece, but it’s very enjoyable.

Anyway: I’ve collected 24 albums that are normally thought of as concept albums (alternatively «Rock Operas»), that either has a concept explained by the artist - or I simply experience the album as conceptual or having a storyline, myself. I left out some albums I personally like, that's often considered conceptual in one way or another, but I’m unable to connect the dots in any meaningful way (such as Mellon Collie and the Infinite Sadness and Songs For The Deaf)

-With some of these artists like Tom Waits, The Caretaker and Sufjan Stevens… most of their albums have a concept, so I chose one I felt was representative. I suppose scores for movies such as Superfly, The Virgin Suicides or… Amelie - and music made for a play or a ballet (as with several by Waits) might as well have been included. But I didn’t. As I would suddenly have hundreds - if not thousands of releases to consider. I broke my own rule of only allowing one album per artist, as Sinatra’s 1955-entry is often considered the very first concept album, and Watertown is just too essential to leave out.

If you vote for «Other» please let me know which one. Well, let me know which one regardless. It’s not so much about the poll, really. An idea or a thought that unifies an album as a whole usually lift the listening experience for me, which is why this is an interesting topic to me.

Replies:

Posted By: Logan
Date Posted: April 02 2024 at 22:17

Over the last few years I have listened so much to Histoire de Melody Nelson. More recently I really got heavily into Sufjan Stevens' Illinois and PJ Harvey's Let England Shake, A Love Supreme is an older favourite. It;s tough for me to choose between them. A minute ago I was going to vote Illinois, right now I'll vote for the Gainsbourg. Those are all really great album per my tastes. And I like Hayter's Saved! a lot too.

Posted By: Hiram
Date Posted: April 02 2024 at 22:38

Tom Waits - Rain Dogs. One of my all-time favourites.

Posted By: Grumpyprogfan
Date Posted: April 03 2024 at 00:38

Skylarking for me. Todd Rundgren is a great producer and the way he arranged the songs to segue together is perfect. Of course "Dear God" is a masterpiece.

Posted By: Saperlipopette!
Date Posted: April 03 2024 at 01:56

Grumpyprogfan wrote:

Skylarking for me. Todd Rundgren is a great producer and the way he arranged the songs to segue together is perfect. Of course "Dear God" is a masterpiece.

But actually not on the original release of the album.

Posted By: Cristi
Date Posted: April 03 2024 at 02:05

Very few albums I've listened to here, also some of them are not my thing. So no vote this time.

Posted By: Octopus II
Date Posted: April 03 2024 at 02:33

XTC - Skylarking

The Kinks - Arthur (Decline And Fall)

Alice Cooper - Welcome To My Nightmare

Donna Summer - Four Seasons Of Love

Posted By: Saperlipopette!
Date Posted: April 03 2024 at 06:04

Logan wrote:

Over the last few years I have listened so much to Histoire de Melody Nelson. More recently I really got heavily into Sufjan Stevens' Illinois and PJ Harvey's Let England Shake, A Love Supreme is an older favourite. It;s tough for me to choose between them. A minute ago I was going to vote Illinois, right now I'll vote for the Gainsbourg. Those are all really great album per my tastes. And I like Hayter's Saved! a lot too.

Although I listened to it for the first time over twenty years ago, only recently have I really gotten into Histoire de Melody Nelson. Sometimes, or should I say quite often when I come back to albums that didn't register as something out of the ordinary - but I know are supposed to be: they click. I have to be in the right mood or maybe I'm at the right age. Or maybe I needed some more listening experience first.

Posted By: Lewian
Date Posted: April 03 2024 at 06:40

Illinois > XTC, John Coltrane, PJ Harvey, Tom Waits.

I thought a bit about "Other" and in principle many come to mind but I have to admit that for most of these I'm not really sure whether they are "concept albums", many even being instrumental. "I simply experience the album as conceptual", yeah, that makes sense. Pretty much any of Barbara Morgenstern's or Radian's or Everything Everything's albums for example.

Posted By: Saperlipopette!
Date Posted: April 03 2024 at 07:13

Lewian wrote:

Illinois > XTC, John Coltrane, PJ Harvey, Tom Waits.

Yes I thought about many of those potentially concept albums that are largely instrumental myself. But it was easier for me to make a poll focusing on albums that the lyrical aspect sort of defines the concept. With an Exception for A Love Supreme. As it is seen as a defining conceptual jazz album. But Time Out!, Sketches of Spain, The Black Saint and the Sinner Lady and many more before it, operates within clearly defined concepts as well. About half of the selection is based on a sort of "consensus" in regards to essential concept albums. This selection doen't really reflect my personal taste (although I enjoy most of these).

Posted By: rushfan4
Date Posted: April 03 2024 at 07:15

I don't really know any of these well enough to vote. I've heard 4 of them, and of those, Alice Cooper's Welcome to My Nightmare would get my vote.

The first "other" album that I immediately thought of was Meat Loaf's Bat Out of Hell.

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Posted By: Saperlipopette!
Date Posted: April 03 2024 at 07:22

rushfan4 wrote:

I don't really know any of these well enough to vote. I've heard 4 of them, and of those, Alice Cooper's Welcome to My Nightmare would get my vote.

The first "other" album that I immediately thought of was Meat Loaf's Bat Out of Hell.

Yes, I thought about it and forgot. I've never actually listened to BOoH in full. But I know it's one of the defining rock operas. Is there an actual concept to the whole album?

Posted By: rushfan4
Date Posted: April 03 2024 at 07:37

The "experts" can't seem to agree. Possibly not. A Rock Opera. It was turned into a musical. It's songs are thematic. https://www.progarchives.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=91969" rel="nofollow - https://www.progarchives.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=91969

I suppose that I've never really paid that much attention to that album either. I guess that I always thought it was a concept album.

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Posted By: mellotronwave
Date Posted: April 03 2024 at 08:44

The Kinks

Posted By: richardh
Date Posted: April 03 2024 at 10:08

The only one I can think of is The Tubes - Remote Control (produced by Todd Rundgren). It's about Television as apparently they were obsessed with it at the time. Fun album.

Posted By: Logan
Date Posted: April 03 2024 at 10:33

Saperlipopette! wrote:

It;s the Jean-Claude Vannier connection, and my love of choral type vocals. that first got me really interested. I adore Vannier's L'enfant assassin des mouches (also could count as a concept album) which was based on a Gainsbourg idea. Vannier was the arranger for Histoire de Melody Nelson. I now find I like various Gainsbourg music from various albums, like Initials B.B (with the iconic Bonnie and Clyde track) and Cannabis.... I loved Cargo Culte especially at first off Histoire but then founmd I really like the whole album.

The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders From Mars by David Bowie is an other that could fit. I am a very big fan of Bowie.

Posted By: Saperlipopette!
Date Posted: April 03 2024 at 10:50

Logan wrote:

Saperlipopette! wrote:

Absolutely. Both LL'enfant assassin des mouches and Ziggy Stardust.. would have been included in the poll if Vannier and Bowie weren't represented in Eclectic and Prog-Related on PA

Posted By: Logan
Date Posted: April 03 2024 at 10:57

^ I missed it all being out of PA. Sufjan Stevens I had though might be included here (might still be). Speaking of another progressive folk artist not in PA with concept album, Joanna Newsom's Ys. So much that could be in PA.

Posted By: Saperlipopette!
Date Posted: April 03 2024 at 13:11

^ Ys is yet another album I love (but haven't listened to in years) that I never really figured out what the unifying concept was supposed to be. And btw: If Joanna Newsom doesn't qualify as Progressive Folk, I don't know what does.

Posted By: Cristi
Date Posted: April 03 2024 at 13:13

Saperlipopette! wrote:

^ Ys is yet another album I love (but haven't listened to in years) that I never really figured out what the unifying concept was supposed to be. And btw: If Joanna Newsom doesn't qualify as Progressive Folk, I don't know what does.

Has she been suggested for prog-folk or crossover?

Posted By: Frets N Worries
Date Posted: April 03 2024 at 13:20

Cristi wrote:

Has she been suggested for prog-folk or crossover?

https://www.progarchives.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=74211&PN=3" rel="nofollow - https://www.progarchives.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=74211&PN=3

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The Wheel of Time Turns, and Ages come and pass. What was, what will be, and what is, may yet fall under the shadow.

Let the Dragon ride again on the winds of time...

Posted By: Saperlipopette!
Date Posted: April 03 2024 at 13:21

Cristi wrote:

Has she been suggested for prog-folk or crossover?

Several times, I think. But I was just speaking for myself and my understanding of a (sub)genre. Too lazy to actually suggest. Especially after a couple of rejections.

Posted By: Steve Wyzard
Date Posted: April 03 2024 at 13:21

Other: U2 - Boy (1980).

Posted By: Cristi
Date Posted: April 03 2024 at 13:25

Saperlipopette! wrote:

Cristi wrote:

Has she been suggested for prog-folk or crossover?

Several times, I think. But I was just speaking for myself and my understanding of a (sub)genre. Too lazy to actually suggest. Especially after a couple of rejections.

If she released new music, that's reason enough for a re-evaluation. Smile

Posted By: Saperlipopette!
Date Posted: April 03 2024 at 13:28

^^ Boy's a concept album too? I'm quite fond of it actually, but I never thought of it as anything more than a bunch of songs - that compliment each other, by all means.

Posted By: Saperlipopette!
Date Posted: April 03 2024 at 13:32

Cristi wrote:

Saperlipopette! wrote:

Cristi wrote:

Has she been suggested for prog-folk or crossover?

Several times, I think. But I was just speaking for myself and my understanding of a (sub)genre. Too lazy to actually suggest. Especially after a couple of rejections.

If she released new music, that's reason enough for a re-evaluation. Smile

Not since Divers from 2015.

Posted By: Logan
Date Posted: April 03 2024 at 19:13

^ Divers has great music. Love the opening track. While she would be eligible methinks since I did not find her being considered since about 2011, I would say her music continues her brand of progressive folk which was not accepted for our Prog Folk category. Due to that and that team is much the same, I would not bother bringing it forward again. The music is just as good in and out of PA, and since we can discuss music not included in PA here, for me it's not that important... With the exception of any team work (PR and PP in my case) and also I like to see acts in to be eligible for the AOTY's. To me she is a kind of Progressive Folk Crossover artist. Like Sufjan Stevens, one could consider Crossover. Good stuff.

By the way, I never got the concept of Ys either, but have read that it is a concept albums. Tons of albums are kind of conceptual (have some vague overlying theme or tone or...) We are pattern seeking animals (thus the conspiracy theorist who adapt and cherry-pick data to fit their facts). If it was a time bending epic where Newsom and Il Balletto di Bronzo's Ys fates become intertwined, that would be ridiculous.

Back to the list: I should play Tom Waits' Rain Dogs again. It's been a long time. I would have quite liked to hear him duet with Don Glen Vliet of Captain Beefheart.

Posted By: Cristi
Date Posted: April 04 2024 at 00:53

Logan wrote:

^ Divers has great music. Love the opening track. While she would be eligible methinks since I did not find her being considered since about 2011, I would say her music continues her brand of progressive folk which was not accepted for our Prog Folk category. Due to that and that team is much the same, I would not bother bringing it forward again. The music is just as good in and out of PA, and since we can discuss music not included in PA here, for me it's not that important... With the exception of any team work (PR and PP in my case) and also I like to see acts in to be eligible for the AOTY's. To me she is a kind of Progressive Folk Crossover artist. Like Sufjan Stevens, one could consider Crossover. Good stuff.

By the way, I never got the concept of Ys either, but have read that it is a concept albums. Tons of albums are kind of conceptual (have some vague overlying theme or tone or...) We are pattern seeking animals (thus the conspiracy theorist who adapt and cherry-pick data to fit their facts). If it was a time bending epic where Newsom and Il Balletto di Bronzo's Ys fates become intertwined, that would be ridiculous.

Maybe she fits under crossover. Worst case scenario - prog-related.

Posted By: Sean Trane
Date Posted: April 04 2024 at 03:31

I believe 63's Charles Mingus Black Saint & Lady Sinner is a concept album

Also, in 04, one could've placed Green Day's American Idiot

rushfan4 wrote:

I don't really know any of these well enough to vote. I've heard 4 of them, and of those, Alice Cooper's Welcome to My Nightmare would get my vote.

The first "other" album that I immediately thought of was Meat Loaf's Bat Out of Hell.

Welcome is a good album, but the concept presented on stage was containing many songs from many albums

as for Meatloaf's BOOH (one of my fave all time album), it's definitely thematic (about 70's male teens fixations/obsessions), but I'm not sure I would qualify it as a "concept album"

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let's just stay above the moral melee
prefer the sink to the gutter
keep our sand-castle virtues
content to be a doer
as well as a thinker,
prefer lifting our pen
rather than un-sheath our sword

Posted By: suitkees
Date Posted: April 04 2024 at 03:42

Many interesting things on this quite eclectic list, of which my favourties are Coltrane, The Kinks, Gainsbourg, XTC and PJ Harvey. I'll vote for the latter - a great album! (as are the others)

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The razamataz is a pain in the bum

Posted By: Saperlipopette!
Date Posted: April 04 2024 at 04:20

Sean Trane wrote:

I believe 63's Charles Mingus Black Saint & Lady Sinner is a concept album

Yes, I adressed that here. I guess I went for the Coltrane because I'm a much bigger fan of A Love Supreme.

Saperlipopette! wrote:

With an exception for A Love Supreme. As it is seen as a defining conceptual jazz album. But Time Out!, Sketches of Spain, The Black Saint and the Sinner Lady and many more before it, operates within clearly defined concepts as well.

I would have made it clearer if I had left out all instumental albums, instead of including just one:)

Posted By: essexboyinwales
Date Posted: April 08 2024 at 09:43

Not sure it’s a proper concept album, but I went with Alice Cooper’s magnificent WTMN😎

My other would be the even more magnificent Prequelle by Ghost, although once again it may not be defined as a proper concept album, depending on your definition…..

Oh, and there’s a whole bunch of brilliant rock opera concept albums by Avantasia, that anyone who likes a multi-vocal power metal album should check out!

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Heaven is waiting but waiting is Hell