What was the first TRUE concept album in rock history?

That Wiki article doesn't even cite Days Of The Future Passed in its presentation. Need I say more?

 

Guess it depends on whether an album by rock stars which doesn't feature rock music would count. If so, Songs Our Daddy Taught Us by the Everly Brothers would be a good contender, or His Hand in Mine by Elvis. An argument could be made for Elvis' Christmas Album, though it muddies the concept by using some non-Christmas tracks as filler. Little Deuce Coupe is all songs about cars... that seems a pretty clear concept.

 

Themes and more themes. No concepts there.

 

Doesn't change the fact that the definition they use ("A concept album is a studio album where all musical or lyrical ideas contribute to a single overall theme or unified story") is the commonly-accepted definition of the term.

 

I'd argue that a narrative is not necessary for an album to fit the definition as a concept album.

I'd also argue that PS and Pepper launched a million unified-theme albums. That alone is qualification enough.

And, of course, I believe there is a narrative with PS anyway, whether it was intended or not, becausev there is progression of themes and growth throughout.

 

Only commonly-accepted by Wikipedia. That is not the authoritative or final source on anything. Moreover, didn't you just admit that this is one of those questions that doesn't have a definitive objective answer?

 

I'm sure there are a few possible answers, but I think Tommy is the one that really put the concept album on the map, the grand-scale concept album at least.

 

Well again, I think your definition of "concept album" is an idiosyncratic one which is outside the commonly-accepted view. To most observers/critics, "thematic album" and "concept album" are synonyms. Sinatra's 50s albums are quite commonly referred to as concept albums, and none of them contains a narrative.

 

The difference is clear as day to me, I'm surprised you can't see it. Clarity and defining credit goes to Thom by the way.

 

I cited wikipedia, but I think it's also commonly accepted by a majority of critics/listeners/whatever.

I don't think we can objectively determine what was the first concept album, because something like "songs with a thematic link" or even "songs with a narrative" are vague enough to be open to debate/disagreement. We certainly can determine what the consensus view is about the definition of the term "concept album" though... although this discussion is illustrating that even when there's a consensus view, there's possibility of dissension.

 

How is Pet Sounds a concept album? To me, it just sounds like a bunch of seemingly unrelated catchy pop tunes.

 

Just a heads-up on the subject;
Rick Wakeman is hoping to enlighten with an upcoming documentary on this very subject.

Friday 6th May 2016 BBC4 (HD): 22:00 – 23:00 NEW: When Pop Went Epic: The Crazy World Of The Concept Album.
Rick Wakeman presents a documentary exploring the history of the concept Album.

http://www.radiotimes.com/tv-programme/e/d5mf75/when-pop-went-epic-the-crazy-world-of-the-concept-album

 

Are you seeing some other distinction besides "has a narrative" (a criterion I've already rejected and believe is outside the consensus view)? If so, what is that distinction?

 

Let's just agree to disagree. All is settled then.

 

I agree. I'm just not sure there is a strong enough thematic link between the songs on Pet Sounds to argue it is a concept album. I agree it's debatable though, as there are some common themes/emotions in many of the songs.

 

Sure thing. I'll just post what I'd started writing below and then drop it. These links demonstrate that the commonly-accepted definition of "concept album" seems to preclude any requirement that there has to be a narrative. These are the first four hits on google for "concept album":

a rock-and-roll album with a theme

a studio album where all musical or lyrical ideas contribute to a single overall theme or unified story

A collection of songs written around one central theme or idea. Usually, each individual track expresses a different aspect or part of the main concept, with each track fitting together to form a cohesive idea.

an album that has a unifying theme or that tells a single story

an album whose recordings are unified by some theme (instrumental or lyrical or narrative or compositional)

 

I've certainly always considered that one the first psychedelic album.

 

That's what I was going to say. There were other concept albums years before it in the folk, jazz, and coumtry fields (as well as Sinatra's thematic albums) but this may well be the first (or at least one of the first) in ROCK history.

 

That's a decent smattering of sources so I'll give you credit for presenting that by way of defense, but it doesn't take away from the fact that Thom's differentiation is superior. As I said earlier, without such a distinction, this debate will go round and round in hopeless circles. More importantly, the distinction between "theme" and "concept" in this context is easy to grasp, that is, if you're willing to see it. Sometimes conventional wisdom and sources could use a little improvement - I think this thread highlights that. The same thing could be said for when Columbus left shore.

 

And "Dan and Dale" are actually Sun Ra and members of the Blues Project! Great little cash-in cult album.

 

Maybe related.
Jan and Dean Meet Batman, March 1966

 

Totally! Surf music meets space exotica to create proto-psych!

 

Strictly my opinion, but to me an album with songs only about cars suggests a limited range of artistic imagination.

 

Sounds like you take cars and their various functions for granted.

 

I like the White Lp in moderation and the high points are stellar.. But cmon, it's a bit of a mess.as was the band.