Which would you say is greatest Concept/Theme album?

Jesus Christ Superstar

 

In my opinion the best concept album is Gentle Giant's " In a Glass House " simply superb and very complex, one of the best albums from 1973!

 

Procol Harum - "In Held Twas In I"

Theme just covers one album side, but it's got everything you need - fantastic melodies, groovy lyrics, pleasant vocals and cheeky guitars.

 

Frank Sinatra Sings for Only the Lonely

 

Die Toten Hosen - Ein Kleines Bisschen Horrorschau

This album is all about the movie "Clockwork Orange" and has great songs on it. Even if you don't understand German it is definitely worth a listen!

 

With the people on this forum, it's no doubt already been mentioned - but I thought it would at least be worth giving it another thumbs up:



I love this album. Lots of catchy tunes, set against a grim backrop.... Tim Rice helped with the lyrics.

 

That's a really great album and you were exactly right when you said to me it would take time but I'd get there with it... and I almost am.

It does require concentration and a lot of the best albums often do - I'll play it about once a month and more of it unfolds each time - there is a lot going on there. The musicianship is incredible and the only thing with it, it when I'm listening to it and properly immersed in it - it ends.

But then there is plenty more to investigate by them and I wouldn't say no to a couple more recommendations now.

 

Tommy


can you hear me?

.

 

There's not a bad song on it, and it's good that the American market got all of these tracks in some configuration, but many were misled by the cover blurb that advertised songs from A Hard Day's Night into assuming that the title song was on it. The United Artists soundtrack was also on the market at the time, so many ended up buying 5 of the same songs twice. The album title and cover art were very unimaginative. The German language track was an interesting curio, but was apparently added as a filler (Capitol only gave us 12 tracks per album on Meet the Beatles and Rubber Soul. Otherwise, they insisted on only giving us 11). That's just my take on it.

 

This was my choice- the original concept album by the man that mastered the genre.

 

Tommy

 

These Gentle Giant albums are all essential in my opinion!

• Gentle Giant (1970), Vertigo
• Acquiring the Taste (1971), Vertigo
• Three Friends (1972) (#197 US), Vertigo, Columbia
• Octopus (1972) (#170 US) Vertigo, Columbia
• In a Glass House (1973), Vertigo/WWA
• The Power and the Glory (1974) (#78 US), Vertigo/WWA, Capitol
• Free Hand (1975) (#48 US), Chrysalis, Capitol
• Interview (1976) (#137 US), Chrysalis, Capitol
• • Playing the Fool - The Official Live (1977) (#89 US), Chrysalis, Capitol; recorded (au naturel) on European tour, September to October 1976

 

I think Days of Future Passed bears special mention because it's one of the most fully realized conceptual albums.
Rather than being a collection of songs loosely based on an idea, it's made whole with a beginning, middle and an end.

Another of my favorites is Tales of Mystery and Imagination. One of the finest examples of literature being adapted into music.

 

Watertown

 

I am amazed no one has yet mentioned any albums by Brian Eno! Too many to list though.
Also not mentioned thus far:
Robert Calvert: Captain Lockheed and the Starfighters (1974); Lucky Leif and The Longships (1975)
Sally Oldfield: Water Bearer (1978)
Jan and Dean: Save For a Rainy Day (1968)
Kenny Rogers and The First Edition: The Ballad of Calico (1972)

But my all-time faves are:
The Beach Boys: Smile
Michael Nesmith: The Prison
Rick Wakeman: Journey To The Centre of The Earth
Jeff Wayne: War of The Worlds
Klaatu: Hope

BTW Nesmith has actually said that the first three sides of his first three National band albums, "Magnetic South"; "Loose Salute" and "Nevada Fighter" form a concept album! Worth checking out.

 

Not a concept album.


Another vote for Klaatu - Hope

 

Someone else may have posted this, but the story I've heard is that Pete Townshend put it the song about pinball because he knew the critic Nick Cohn was a big fan of pinball and he wanted a good review (he got it too).

 

The Kinks: VILLAGE GREEN PRESERVATION SOCIETY

 

Tommy is simply a timeless story supported with wonderful music. I never understood why Rolling Stone Magazine back in 1987 (when there weren't as many albums compared to today) did not put Tommy in their top 100 all time best albums?!?! I guess Jann doesn't like Pete either.

 

Probably, I think I've read that too, but I think the impetus to write the single came from Kit Lambert for the reasons you mention.

 

This one. A concept album about going into space and travelling across the universe to find a new beginning on a new planet. Awesome.

 

Many thanks for this - I've noted these now and think I shall probably start at the beginning, sometime very soon. And of course, I shall let you know how I get along with what I find.

 

The debut is good, but Acquiring the Taste is where things start to get really interesting, IMO. They had a sound all their own.

 

Echoes of the broadway everglades,
With her mythical madonnas still walking in their shades: