I just played American Idiot and The Wall from start to finish. For me, both are absolute masterpieces. I wouldn’t be able to say which is better than the other.
What’s the best concept album for you?
Kendrick Lamar - Good kid M.A.A.D. city
I’ve listened to most of the other concept albums mentioned in this thread, but I believe deep in my heart of hearts, this album has the strongest story and emotional impact.
My favorite is Queensrÿche’s Operation: Mindcrime. It gets pretty regular listenings still.
Hemispheres (the first side is one long concept piece, but the flip side is awesome too) - Rush
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Queensryche - Operation: Mindcrime, or
Dream Theater - Metropolis, Part 2: Scenes From a MemorySFaM was my answer. I bought that on CD when it was still newish and it was on repeat for a long long time. And I’ve listened to it at least twice a year for the last 15 years. (sobs) I’m so old.
If I die tomorrow I’d be alright Because I believe That after we’re gone The spirit carries on
Time by ELO
The Wall is good but I like Animals more. The mood hits a bit harder imo.
Yeah but there’s a film of The Wall and all the tracks are different versions, plus Bob Geldof, plus animation by Gerald Scarfe
A genuine work of art
Oh for movie night it’s gold!
I tried to limit my picks to one per artist and omitted the only loosely conceptual albums.
Top 3:
The Who - Quadrophenia
Genesis - The Lamb Lies Down on Broadway
(Not UK) Frank Zappa - Joe’s Garage
Other great ones:
Kinks - Lola vs. Powerman and the Moneygoround, Part 1
Marillion - Clutching at Straws
Moody Blues - Days of Future Past
David Bowie - Diamond Dogs
Pink Floyd - it’s impossible to choose just 1
Act II: The Father of Death, by The Protomen.
The story, the music, it all works for me.
Fantastic album, would love to see them live at some point
666 by Aphrodite’s Child is pretty awesome.
It’s a concept album based on the Book of Revelation. This is also the band that Vangelis was in before he started scoring movies.
Chill Out by the motherfuckin’ KLF
That is a really, really good pair.
21st Century Breakdown also does a good job, it’s a little different but it’s got the same album story.
Deltron 3030 is a stellar album about an intergalactic rapper. It’s produced by Del tha Funkee Homosapien and Dan the Automator, seriously, killer.
And before the Flobots came, there was Johnny 5 and Yak who made Onomatopoeia, another stellar album. It’s an underground 2000’s set though, so it gets gritty. But it’s very real and so well composed. That of course led to Flobots Fight with Tools, which may just be the best political album of all time.
Not the best, but Joe’s Garage by Frank Zappa is one of the oddest
Sturgill Simpson - Sound and Fury.
Especially if you watch the anime that was created specifically for it on Netflix. Flat out amazing.
Great suggestion, but I’d actually say The Ballad of Dood and Juanita and Sailor’s Guide to Earth are better concept albums from Sturgill Simpson. Although, OP seems to lean toward rock more than bluegrass/country, so Sound and Fury might be a better place to start.
Kendrick Lamar - Good Kid, mAAd city
I may not be his biggest fan anymore but this album was incredibly influential for me personally and in my opinion, for the whole genre.
