Back in the 70s,concept albums were very popular.It's an album that tells a story,and each track fits into the overall theme.As such,it's more like a movie soundtrack but without the movie.

My favorite concept album is Donna Summer's 1977 album 'Once Upon A Time',a dazzling two-record set that deals with a young lady's quest to find true love.It's like a fairy-tale,and Donna plays the Cinderella role.The album's tone is set by the title track,then we're off on the journey.Along the way,we get caught up in a drug-induced nightmare ("Faster And Faster To Nowhere"),we visit "Cinderella" at her job ("Working The Midnight Shift"),and she tells us her dreams of being somebody ("Queen For A Day").

Later,she gains a little confidence ("If You Got It Flaunt It"),while still waiting for the perfect Prince to sweep her off her feet ("A Man Like You").After a few more songs about being alone and insecure ("Sweet Romance","Dance Into My Life"),things start to look up for her.On "Rumour Has It",it becomes evident that Prince Charming is looking for her.For the finale,Donna sings "I Love You",then "Happily Ever After".The tale is complete.

The songs flow together very well,and lyrically,it's a deep and profound album.In the late 70s,Donna was even considering turning this album into a Broadway musical.


What's your favorite concept album?

A couple of my favorites...

Stevie Wonder-Songs In The Key Of Life

Rick James-Street Songs

i used to love
Pink Floyd's The Wall,
but havent listened to it for a while.
Nowadays i prefer many other Floyd albums to that.

Flaming Lips: Yoshmi battles the ´pink robots
is one of the best (conceptua) albums this year.

Grandaddy:The Sophtware Slump
is also a great concept album, similar theme to Flaming Lips.

How about The Rainbow Children?

Parliament:
Moter Booty Affair
The Clones Of Dr. Funkenstein
Gloryhallastoopid

Pink Floyd:
The Wall
Animals

Stevie Wonder:
Songs In The Key Of Life

Brother915 said:

I remember back in '81 when this record came out,I thought that it would have a made a great movie soundtrack.Several tracks ("Ghetto Life","Mr.Policeman","Behind The Funk (Pass The J)") all capture the true essence of street life.Rick could have easily turned this album into a film.

As concept albums go I don't think you can beat Lovesexy, however there are a few good Hip-Hop records who have successfully pulled it off.

Handsome Boy Modelling School-Dan the Automator and Guests

Lovage (Music To Make Love To Your Old Lady By) again by Dan the Automator and Guests.

These are both hilarious, groundbreaking and so phat it's unbelievable.

Peace Love and NewPower


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Elton John's "Captain Fantastic and The Brown Dirt Cowboy" is one of the best. I never thought of "Songs in the Key of Life" as a concept album, but I guess it is. One of the greats as well.

And what could be seen as a concept album in tribute of the 50s- Billy Joel's "An Innocent Man".

Marvin Gaye: What's going on

marvin gaye :: here my dear

VERY underrated IMHO.

$.02

--gm--

T R C OF COURESE. AND THE BEATTLES SGT.PEPPER'S LP.

Bowie's Ziggy Stardust and Outside albums come to mind first and foremost, followed by Diamond Dogs, which was originally supposed to be based on Orwell's "1984", but the Orwell estate would not give Bowie permission to reference the novel.

The second half of Kate Bush's "Hounds of Love" is a beautiful concept piece about a witch trial - one of my favorite pieces of music.

Marvin Gaye"What's Going On",Hear,My Dear".Stevie WOnder "Innervisions",Fleetwood Mac"Rumours",Sly&The Family Stone"There's a Riot Goin On".

Quadrophenia

Me First And The GImme Gimmees

Are A Drag

On this they cover musical greatest.
In a punk rock version.
Check it out, esp Over The Rainbow.

Stevie Wonder - Innervisions

please please nobody say Kilroy Was Here!

Anxiety said:

Ahh, The Ninth Wave is my choice too, it's not actually about a witch trial (altho' Waking The Witch is) it's about someone who is lost at sea and the seven songs that make up the album side are concerning their thoughts and emotions while battling the options of either drowning/giving in or struggling to stay alive.

Great work and beautifully done.

As for an entire album - props to Pink Floyd's The Wall.
In my opinion the last truly great record they made.

Bowie's Ziggy Stardust is cool too. And even though it's a very loose concept, Sgt.Pepper remains a favourite of mine also.

Motor Booty Affair by Parliament

Ziggy Stardust for sure. What can top that?

Amon Tobin's "Out From Out Where" is the soundtrack to the darkest, sexiest, and most horrifying sci-fi movie never made! It's the only electronic/sampled music I've heard that can make a person cry. No one else can stir my imagination with music better than Amon Tobin. But enough Amon-worship...

www.AmonTobin.com

GeneMohawk said:

i love that album. it is indeed very underrated. another great divorce-concept album is dylans blood on the tracks

The Jam's "Setting Sons" is a totally underrated concept album.

stevie's JOURNEY THROUGH THE SECRET LIFE OF PLANTS has been overlooked and underrated for too long dammit!!!
it's brilliant. ("<")