1. Jay-Z - American Gangster
The albums theme, story, concept happens to be based on the film of the same name (American Gangster). Coincidentally the release date of both the album and movie were in the same month and year, only the movie came out 4 days before the album came out. Each song in the album having a small mini-story, also rapping/singing about how complex we as humans are, some songs touching on Jay-Z's past, living in the projects of Brooklyn. It was interesting to learn that President Obama is a fan of this album. Definitely a work of art to me, one of Jay-Z's best albums.
2. Linkin Park - A Thousand Suns
Linkin Park was one of the few alternative groups that grew up with while starting to develop an interest for the genre when I was 10. I like how they developed their sound over the years, adding an experimental twist to the album. Their songs now have more intense lyrics, all relating to the concept of nuclear warfare, how humans fear it, also possibly fearing the role of technology, its revolution in the world, taking over the original concept of the human idea. This album possibly shows how we cannot see the future and the possible defaults that are soon to come as the world moves forward.
3. Titus Andronicus - The Monitor
When I first heard about this band, I actually thought, judging by their name, that they were some epic-prog-rock band. Thanks to this band, I was curious to read the Shakespearean tragedy of the same name, and I did, and now its my favorite Shakespearean tragedy of all time. I enjoy learning about the Civil War, and in all honesty, this album is a good studying aid (I live in Canada, so I didn't learn about the Civil War, since it was America's problem). The album shows a good depiction of what life was like during the Civil War, the regular lives of folks working, doing their part in the war, what normal life was like then. I liked how the album was named after the USS Monitor, and how the album closed with the song "The Battle of Hampton Roads" which was the battle between the USS Monitor and the CSS Virginia. A good blend of concept and history.
4. Thrice - The Alchemy Index (Vols 1-4)
By far, one of my favorite series of concept albums, studying the mythology and folklore behind the four main elements that build up our world, always interests me. I would like to think they used the Medicine Wheel (part of Aboriginal spirituality) as a huge reference towards this series of albums and what they stand for. Learning about the Medicine Wheel in my religions class (if you care to enlighten yourself, or learn about the medicine wheel, read this http://www.dancingtoeaglespiritsociety.org/Images/medw5.gif), each mini-album has a unique sound relating to the selected element, the feelings, emotions, atmosphere, what role the element plays in nature and the world around us, the good it does, the bad it does, man's use for it, etc. Each mini-album has a sound that tries to connect with the element. Fire, you get Thrice's original post-hardcore sound. Water, you get a mix of electronica and soft alternative rock, reminiscent of Radiohead's Kid-A (as stated before by Allmusic magazine, and I agree). Air, take water, make it less electronic and more ambient, you get the sound of air. Earth, take Dustin Kensrue's (Thrice front-man) solo works and make them more dirty and gritty, which is what earth is meant to be and look like, for those who aren't fond of Dustin's solo work, its basically Acoustic Folk Rock. Earth sounds like that, only with a twist of dark themes and blues music.
5. The Deer Hunter - The Color Spectrum
Don't get me wrong, I enjoyed their original story (Acts 1-3) singing in detail about The Deer Hunter and his quest to learn more about his family. But the concept of singing about the colors of the rainbow is a complex thing to write and sing about, not many artists and bands have tried but The Deer Hunter tried and succeeded.
6. Pink Floyd - The Wall
A classic among classics. One man, feeling isolated from the world because of so many judgmental people, being separated from society by a wall.
7. My Chemical Romance - The Black Parade
A rather dull story told by thematic and powerful songs.
8. My Chemical Romance - Danger Days: The True Lives of the Fabulous Killjoys
A perfect example of fighting for what you believe in, also the world that the band paints in their songs and videos interests me.
9. David Bowie - The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars
Massive contradictions: messages of peace and love, and the rock star cliches of sex and drugs.
10. Coheed and Cambria - The Armory Wars Saga
All their albums that lead up to the comics are amazing. They always go into detail, I always enjoy their sound, and how each album is mildly different from each other (in terms of sound).
Finally, saving the best for last. 11. Tyler, The Creator.
i. Bastard
At first I was skeptical of whether or not this is an actual concept album, so asked if his albums were concept albums on Yahoo Answers. I received mixed answers, some saying it wasn't, some saying yes. In the end I used my own judgement and thought "yeah, they actually are concept albums". In most of his interviews, Tyler states that he likes to go into detail, and that every song is like a movie that way. Of course each album is like a story leading up to what Tyler is up to, in Bastard he meets Dr. TC (presumably the schools psychologist) and during their "first session" Tyler talks about a wide range of various topics, such as why he hates his dad. Also, what we tend to hear when listening to this album, we tend to hear a lot of Tyler's dark thoughts.
ii. Goblin
Otherwise known as "the second session", for further details on the themes of this album, a friend of mine will cover that http://itsoddhowpeopleshake.blogspot.com/2011/05/tyler-creator-goblin-review.html. The ending of this album is so fucked up, I now wonder what the third album will sound like, not just that, but also what themes Tyler will attack and what the state of Tyler will be, will he be the same? Or will he suddenly change due to the ending?
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