Who doesn’t love a good concept album? Plenty of rock albums out there explore themes and ideas quite beautifully, but few compare to the narrative storytelling of a concept album. These five rock concept albums are some of the best, though it’s worth noting that this list is as far from exhaustive as you can get.
1. ‘The Wall’ by Pink Floyd
There’s no way we’d leave out Pink Floyd’s groundbreaking 1979 album The Wall from our list of the greatest rock concept albums of all time. This record’s story follows an egotistical rock musician who becomes a drug addict and loses himself in his paranoia. He begins to see those closest to him as his enemies; but in the end, the only real enemy is himself. A surrealist film was produced a few years after the record’s release, and it’s definitely essential viewing for any Pink Floyd fan.
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2. ‘American Idiot’ by Green Day
This punk rock album from 2004 was a favorite among angsty teens and aging punks alike. The concept explores everyday life in post-9/11 suburban America, much of which is viewed through the lens of a group of teenage friends. American Idiot criticized everything from news media to patriotism to politics, and St. Jimmy is still an iconic character today.
3. ‘Tommy’ by The Who
The titular “Tommy” is a young man who is both blind and deaf. This 1969 concept album by The Who explores Tommy’s life in a fantastical way, but also doesn’t shy away from darker themes like death, child abuse, cults, and more. It’s a carefully-written piece of work that took rock operas to a whole new level. The accompanying film starring Roger Daltrey is a piece of music history.
4. ‘2112’ by Rush
Rush’s 1976 concept album is one of the most dystopian tales to come out of that particular era of rock music. In 2112, a man discovers a guitar and begins to think about a potentially better future for the society he lives in. Unfortunately, the powers that be want nothing of the sort.
One could say this is only partially a concept album, as the additional second-side songs aren’t related to the core story. Still, this is definitely essential listening for rock fans who love a good story.
5. ‘The Black Parade’ by My Chemical Romance
If you were an emo kid in the early 2000s, you know this album deserves a spot on this list of rock concept albums. The Black Parade is an artistic venture into musical theater, and it still has lasting listening power today. You can pick apart the hits like “Welcome To The Black Parade” and “Teenagers”, but the album as a whole is a great story about a dying man reflecting on his life.
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