Alright, let’s talk about them “concept albums,” you know, the ones where all the songs tell a big story or something. I ain’t no fancy music expert, but I know what I like, and some of these albums, well, they just stick with ya.
Now, some folks say The Beatles started this whole thing with Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band way back when. I guess it was a big deal, people dressing up in funny clothes and all. They say it’s the best pop album ever, but I dunno, I liked some of their other stuff better. But hey, that’s just me.
Then there’s this Pink Floyd fella, they did The Wall. Heard it on the radio once. It’s about a fella building a wall around himself, all sad and lonely-like. Powerful stuff, I guess, if you’re into that kinda thing. Lots of folks say it’s one of the best, so it must be somethin’ special.
- Important thing about concept albums is they gotta have a story, or a big idea that ties all the songs together. Like, it ain’t just a bunch of random tunes, you know?
- Some are about aliens, some about history, some just about regular folks going through tough times. Heard one about a fella named Ziggy Stardust, played by that David Bowie fella. Real strange, but catchy.
And the young folks, they got their own concept albums too. This kid, Kendrick Lamar, he did one called good kid, m.A.A.d city. My grandson plays it all the time. It’s about growing up in a tough neighborhood, I think. Lots of noise, but the boy says it’s got a message. Guess so.
They say even old Frank Sinatra did concept albums. Imagine that! Guess it ain’t just for the youngsters. I reckon if you got somethin’ to say, music’s a good way to say it, whether it’s one song or a whole bunch strung together.
So, what makes a concept album good? Well, I reckon it’s gotta have good songs, first off. Can’t just be a story, gotta have tunes you can tap your foot to, or maybe cry to, dependin’ on what it’s about. And the story gotta make sense, or at least make you feel somethin’. If it’s just noise, well, that ain’t no good to nobody.
Some of these albums, they been around for years, like that Ziggy Stardust one. People still listenin’ to ‘em. Guess that means they’re pretty good, huh? And they keep makin’ new ones, too. So, it ain’t just a fad, this concept album thing.
I heard someone say these albums been around for seventy years! Seventy years! That’s a long time for anything, let alone music. Must be something to it, all this storytelling with guitars and drums and such. Ain’t just a bunch of noise, like I said before.
There’s this band, Styx, they’re from the Midwest, like me. They did some of them concept albums too. Progressive rock, they call it. Fancy name, but the music ain’t bad. Got some big ideas, them fellas. Always thinkin’ about stuff.
So, yeah, concept albums. Big stories, big ideas, all wrapped up in music. Some folks love ‘em, some folks don’t get ‘em. Me? I figure if it sounds good and makes you think, well, that’s alright by me. And if it tells a good story, even better. Just like sittin’ on the porch, listenin’ to someone spin a yarn, only with music.
It’s funny, the way music changes but stays the same. All these years, and people still singing about love and loss and life. Just doing it in different ways. And those concept albums, they’re just another way to tell those stories, make you feel something. And that, I reckon, is what music is all about.
Tags：Best Concept Albums, Concept Albums of All Time, Pink Floyd, The Beatles, David Bowie, Kendrick Lamar, Styx, Frank Sinatra
