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Topic Closed12 of the greatest Concept Prog rock albums ever!
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darksideof View Drop Down
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Points: 2318 		Direct Link To This Post Topic: 12 of the greatest Concept Prog rock albums ever!
    Posted: June 13 2008 at 12:48
  1. The Wall
  2. The lamb Lies Down on Broawday
  3. Thick as  Brick
  4. Tales From the Topografic Oceans
  5. Dark side of the Moon
  6. Day The Future Passed
  7. Tommy
  8. 2112
  9. Brian Salad Surgery
  10. Hemipheres
  11. Sgt. Pepper's lonely hearts club band
  12. Joe's Garage
After the 70's?
  1. Metropolis Part II:Scenes From A Memory Dream Theater
  2. The Perfect Element Pain of Salvation
  3. Ok Computer Radiohead
  4. Operation Mindcrime Queensrÿche
  5. Misplaced Childhood marillion
  6. Latelarus Tool
  7. Be pain of salvation
  8. A New mythology Symphony X
  9. Aenima Tool
  10. Second Life Syndrome riveside
  11.  Fear of A Black Planet  PT yeap! their last album
  12. the visitor Arena

ClapLOL
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Points: 16449 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: June 13 2008 at 14:59
To the best of my knowledge, 2112, Hemispheres, Brain Salad Surgery and Sgt Peppers arent concept albums.

I said disagree, largely because I'm not a that big a fan of The Wall and havnt heard a number of albums off of the list. 
Spending more than I should on Prog since 2005

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Points: 2760 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: June 13 2008 at 15:05
Errrr.... I've seen the argument for Lateralus being a concept album (not sure I agree with it though), but how exactly is Ænima a concept album?  
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Points: 2318 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: June 13 2008 at 15:30
Originally posted by sleeper sleeper wrote:

To the best of my knowledge, 2112, Hemispheres, Brain Salad Surgery and Sgt Peppers aren't concept albums.

I said disagree, largely because I'm not a that big a fan of The Wall and haven't heard a number of albums off of the list. 
wow!! you haven't?  you go shopping this weekend.
 True to extend 2112, Hemispheres and Brain as other songs on the album  are completely unrelated to the plot of the suite. However, I do think because their little track is realated to the suite it  cab be consider a concept album I think!
 almost forgot Sgt Peper is a concept album all right through. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sgt._Pepper's_Lonely_Hearts_Club_Band  follow the link.


Edited by darksideof - June 13 2008 at 15:38
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Points: 66802 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: June 13 2008 at 15:35
Ayreon is sadly missing from your list.  The Human Equation is an excellent concept album, and I find his others to be none too shabby too.
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Points: 2318 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: June 13 2008 at 15:43
Originally posted by Russian Russian wrote:

Ayreon is sadly missing from your list.  The Human Equation is an excellent concept album, and I find his others to be none too shabby too.
 sorry fella but I hadn't heard that whole album in its entire. Confused
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Points: 8052 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: June 13 2008 at 16:03
  1. The Wall. Lame. Explained why in other thread. Boring, semi-logical concept, lyrical filler.
  2. The lamb Lies Down on Broawday. Minor spelling details aside, absolutely. Brilliant album, dealing with an interesting and ambiguous overall story, while giving nods to issues. Very lyrically clever.
  3. Thick as  Brick. Don't know. Really only a concept in its parodic nature of the epic poem. Themes of youth overpowering old. Not sure its a dead-set concept. Great album, certainly, and I admit that the concept and feel adds to it. Might have given A Passion Play the nod.
  4. Tales From the Topografic Oceans. Hm, probably. I have difficulty confronting it as a concept because the lyrics are rather diffuse. Some brilliant textures and atmospheres, some slips, an overall theme. Very good album.
  5. Dark side of the Moon. I'll give you that one. Perhaps more partial to WYWH (even if less concepty) and Animals, myself.
  6. Day The Future Passed. Semi-concept. Good album, rather than great. Always had problems with the jumpier moments being rather too frequent. Additionally, given that the concept is a little *difficult* to quantify (and it was named by the label, not the band), I'm uncertain whether it qualifies.
  7. Tommy. Some weak lyrical choices, plenty of essentially concept-unrelated material (Pinball Wizard having maybe a line of relevance). Not exactly my thing.
  8. 2112. Not exactly a concept album. There's one concept song and a side of entirely unrelated, as far as I can tell, material. I love it (to a four star level), but Tears and Something For Nothing, for instance, bear no relation to each other.
  9. Brian Salad Surgery. It's not a concept album. Not even close, in my opinion. One concept song, with a main weakness in not really tying together the components (I fail to see how the second really relates to the other two, really). Absolutely great album, but again, it's just not a concept album.
  10. Hemipheres. Not a concept album, again. There is a concept to Hemispheres, very loosely continued from Cygnus X-I, and the remaining three bits are all good, but not connected to an over-riding concept. I consider the lyrics to Hemispheres a little awkward, but I like it.
  11. Sgt. Pepper's lonely hearts club band Don't know.
  12. Joe's Garage Don't know.
So. 3/10 I wouldn't even consider concept albums. 1 I'd consider dubious. 3 I'd consider not that great. So, no.

What I'd have gone for (Criteria /5, concept relevance+quality. averaged):

Still Life - Van Der Graaf Generator
The Lamb Lies Down On Broadway
Close To The Edge (underlying theme of spiritual growth)
Dark Side Of The Moon
Animals
Three Friends - Gentle Giant
A Farewell To Kings (in my opinion, the only real Rush concept album of those I've heard)
Rubycon - Tangerine Dream (no vocals, I admit :p)
(The Planets - Holst :p)
Magma - s/t
H to He, Who Am The Only One - Van Der Graaf Generator (I'm confident there's an all-pervading concept in this one. Loneliness and the need for love. Not sure everyone will agree... :) )
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Points: 8052 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: June 13 2008 at 16:11
Originally posted by darksideof darksideof wrote:

Originally posted by sleeper sleeper wrote:

To the best of my knowledge, 2112, Hemispheres, Brain Salad Surgery and Sgt Peppers aren't concept albums.

I said disagree, largely because I'm not a that big a fan of The Wall and haven't heard a number of albums off of the list. 
wow!! you haven't?  you go shopping this weekend.
 True to extend 2112, Hemispheres and Brain as other songs on the album  are completely unrelated to the plot of the suite. However, I do think because their little track is realated to the suite it  cab be consider a concept album I think!
 almost forgot Sgt Peper is a concept album all right through. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sgt._Pepper's_Lonely_Hearts_Club_Band  follow the link.


Just justifying my last post.

I think a concept album needs an underlying theme (or, concept, if you will), even if it isn't telling a story. 2112, Hemispheres, and BSS don't meet this criterion. The shorter pieces on BSS have, as far as I can tell, no relation to KE-9. Similarly, there is no real relation between 2112 and Tears, or Cygnus X-I book II: Hemispheres and La Villa Strangiato, for instance.

It's not a matter of plot, really, but I cannot see much relation to the shorter bits without trying desperately hard to stretch a concept specifically to fit it. Even then, I still can't find any possible links between Benny The Bouncer or Still... You Turn Me On to KE-9.
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Points: 2318 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: June 13 2008 at 16:24
Originally posted by darkmatter darkmatter wrote:

Errrr.... I've seen the argument for Lateralus being a concept album (not sure I agree with it though), but how exactly is Ænima a concept album?  
 
 
the whole album is themed base on Egyptian  mythology,ababalon and sacret. geometry. so it does have concept.
 
Wink so good info to read.
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Points: 3737 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: June 13 2008 at 16:28

I agree for sure. The only thing that I would change is the orders of course.
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Points: 2318 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: June 13 2008 at 16:34
Originally posted by TGM: Orb TGM: Orb wrote:

  1. The Wall. Lame. Explained why in other thread. Boring, semi-logical concept, lyrical filler.
  2. The lamb Lies Down on Broawday. Minor spelling details aside, absolutely. Brilliant album, dealing with an interesting and ambiguous overall story, while giving nods to issues. Very lyrically clever.
  3. Thick as  Brick. Don't know. Really only a concept in its parodic nature of the epic poem. Themes of youth overpowering old. Not sure its a dead-set concept. Great album, certainly, and I admit that the concept and feel adds to it. Might have given A Passion Play the nod.
  4. Tales From the Topografic Oceans. Hm, probably. I have difficulty confronting it as a concept because the lyrics are rather diffuse. Some brilliant textures and atmospheres, some slips, an overall theme. Very good album.
  5. Dark side of the Moon. I'll give you that one. Perhaps more partial to WYWH (even if less concepty) and Animals, myself.
  6. Day The Future Passed. Semi-concept. Good album, rather than great. Always had problems with the jumpier moments being rather too frequent. Additionally, given that the concept is a little *difficult* to quantify (and it was named by the label, not the band), I'm uncertain whether it qualifies.
  7. Tommy. Some weak lyrical choices, plenty of essentially concept-unrelated material (Pinball Wizard having maybe a line of relevance). Not exactly my thing.
  8. 2112. Not exactly a concept album. There's one concept song and a side of entirely unrelated, as far as I can tell, material. I love it (to a four star level), but Tears and Something For Nothing, for instance, bear no relation to each other.
  9. Brian Salad Surgery. It's not a concept album. Not even close, in my opinion. One concept song, with a main weakness in not really tying together the components (I fail to see how the second really relates to the other two, really). Absolutely great album, but again, it's just not a concept album.
  10. Hemipheres. Not a concept album, again. There is a concept to Hemispheres, very loosely continued from Cygnus X-I, and the remaining three bits are all good, but not connected to an over-riding concept. I consider the lyrics to Hemispheres a little awkward, but I like it.
  11. Sgt. Pepper's lonely hearts club band Don't know.
  12. Joe's Garage Don't know.
So. 3/10 I wouldn't even consider concept albums. 1 I'd consider dubious. 3 I'd consider not that great. So, no.

What I'd have gone for (Criteria /5, concept relevance+quality. averaged):

Still Life - Van Der Graaf Generator
The Lamb Lies Down On Broadway
Close To The Edge (underlying theme of spiritual growth)
Dark Side Of The Moon
Animals
Three Friends - Gentle Giant
A Farewell To Kings (in my opinion, the only real Rush concept album of those I've heard)
Rubycon - Tangerine Dream (no vocals, I admit :p)
(The Planets - Holst :p)
Magma - s/t
H to He, Who Am The Only One - Van Der Graaf Generator (I'm confident there's an all-pervading concept in this one. Loneliness and the need for love. Not sure everyone will agree... :) )
 
OK buddy it is OK to say that you don't like the Masterpiece " The Wall"  that is just your bared naked opinion, ( the wall is such incredible album regarless its fame in the pop world . I can relate in many diffent ways so I disagree 1,000 times with you. 
 however I might agree with you regarding that the rest of other albums aren't really concept album anyway!
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Points: 4312 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: June 13 2008 at 17:00
-As long as the great THE WALL is included and stand at # 1, i will agree with everything else you said, Darkside Thumbs%20UpLOL
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Besides all the Rush albums, this is a fairly decent list. My only question is: why isn't Tommy at the top?
 
Here's a few albums I would supplement for the ones that shouldn't be on the list:
 
Mekanik Destruktiw Kommandoh for Days of Future Past
Quadrophenia for 2112
Animals for Hemispheres
Selling England by the Pound for Brain Salad Surgery
 
As for the second list, it would be better if it included Ulver's William Blake album, as well as the Mars Volta's Deloused or Frances. And maybe the Pros and Cons of Hitchhiking. Brilliant album, despite it's flaws.
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Points: 2819 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: June 13 2008 at 17:13
Originally posted by darksideof darksideof wrote:

Originally posted by darkmatter darkmatter wrote:

Errrr.... I've seen the argument for Lateralus being a concept album (not sure I agree with it though), but how exactly is Ænima a concept album?  

 

 

the whole album is themed base on Egyptian  mythology,ababalon and sacret. geometry. so it does have concept.

 




Wink so good info to read.


I'm sorry, but everytime this band is mentioned I put them down. My blame mostly lies in the fans when things like this appear. This is yet again an over-analyzation of simple music. How is a German reciting a cookie recipe and a song about Los Angeles related to Egyptian mythology. Just over analyzing...I can't take it when people think so highly of this band.
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Points: 2318 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: June 13 2008 at 17:20
Originally posted by ProgBagel ProgBagel wrote:

Originally posted by darksideof darksideof wrote:

Originally posted by darkmatter darkmatter wrote:

Errrr.... I've seen the argument for Lateralus being a concept album (not sure I agree with it though), but how exactly is Ænima a concept album?  

 

 

the whole album is themed base on Egyptian  mythology,ababalon and sacret. geometry. so it does have concept.

 




Wink so good info to read.


I'm sorry, but everytime this band is mentioned I put them down. My blame mostly lies in the fans when things like this appear. This is yet again an over-analyzation of simple music. How is a German reciting a cookie recipe and a song about Los Angeles related to Egyptian mythology. Just over analyzing...I can't take it when people think so highly of this band.
 
 
LOLLOLLOL it is ok Buddy!!! one day you get to understand how Awesome is Tool. LOLLOLLOLLOL
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Points: 2819 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: June 13 2008 at 17:23
Believe me dude, I have tried for many years. I just don't understand where some people come up with these ideas. The band doesn't speak much about their material anyway right?...I feel like it is just open to interpretation like In Absentia. Things just get taken too far.
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Points: 2318 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: June 13 2008 at 17:24
Originally posted by fighting sleep fighting sleep wrote:

Besides all the Rush albums, this is a fairly decent list. My only question is: why isn't Tommy at the top?
 
Here's a few albums I would supplement for the ones that shouldn't be on the list:
 
Mekanik Destruktiw Kommandoh for Days of Future Past
Quadrophenia for 2112
Animals for Hemispheres
Selling England by the Pound for Brain Salad Surgery
 
As for the second list, it would be better if it included Ulver's William Blake album, as well as the Mars Volta's Deloused or Frances. And maybe the Pros and Cons of Hitchhiking. Brilliant album, despite it's flaws.
 
 
EmbarrassedEmbarrassed I didn't want the guys here at PA start complaining about that I chose 4 Floyd album so I left 2 out but believe I was tempted to do it. LOLLOL Oh Also i wanted to do with Genesis. Clap Ha the order doesn't matter they are all awesome stuff!!!
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Points: 15745 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: June 13 2008 at 17:31
Here are mine:

The Wall
Quadrophenia
Lamb Lies Down on Broadway
Tommy
Joe's Garage
Three Friends(great choice TGM)
Animals
The Book of Taliesyn(has a faded concept there, though great)
A Passion Play(much more straightforward concept than TAAB)
Aqualung
Too Old to Rock(the music is weak but the concept is fun and a good novel would have been)
Snow Goose(not sure if it's a concept album though)


Well some other that I can't remember. But from your list, I really can't see as DSOTM as my definition of Concept, it has one but really doesn't fit to me. TAAB, well TGM has said it perfectly. Dunno about Rush. Brain Salad Suregery also has a faded concept, though the name of the album fits the suite the album as a whole don't.
Don't know about the "modern" ones.

I won't vote.
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Points: 2318 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: June 13 2008 at 17:38
Originally posted by Probable Probable wrote:

Believe me dude, I have tried for many years. I just don't understand where some people come up with these ideas. The band doesn't speak much about their material anyway right?...I feel like it is just open to interpretation like In Absentia. Things just get taken too far.
 
 
 what in the world are YOU talking about?
i think the problem her might be that you had high expectation of this band and they didn't get you here. Tool is a very personal and private band however ifyou study their lyricsyou wont need interpretion is all ready there. But That is OK. many old prog fans give alot praise to hawkind and I found them one the wrost prog band ever but that is truthful my personal opinion.Got it? it is personal choise and prefence of music and lyrics.
To me Tool became a super and important band when lateralus came out . their  lyrics are smart, Thruthful ,dark ,sad, pitiful , powerful ,and spiritual that I can relate so much to that.  such encouraging and up lifting words and not mentioning their  breath taking guitar solos. also I enjoy their music alot because they remind of some my all time favorite bands ( Black sabbath, Pink Floyd, Rush and King crimson)
 
readi this " up lifting" lyrics
 
 
 
Parabola]
We barely remember who or what came before this precious moment,
We are Choosing to be here, right now. Hold on, stay inside...
This hoooooly reality, this hoooooly experience.
Choosing to be here in...
This body. This body holding me. Be my reminder here that I am not alone in
This body, this body holding me, feeling eternal all this pain is an illusion.

Alive!

In this hoooooly reality, in this hoooooly experience. Choosing to be here in...
This body. This body holding me. Be my reminder here that I am not alone in
This body, this body holding me, feeling eternal all this pain is an illusion...

Twirling round with this familiar parable.
Spinning, weaving round each new experience.
Recognize this as a holy gift and, celebrate this
(chance to beeeeee alive and breathing 2x)

This body holding me reminds me of my own mortality.
Embrace this moment. Remember. we are eternal.
all this pain is an illusion.
 
CryCry so beautiful!!!


Edited by darksideof - June 13 2008 at 17:48
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Points: 2318 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: June 13 2008 at 17:39
Originally posted by febus febus wrote:

-As long as the great THE WALL is included and stand at # 1, i will agree with everything else you said, Darkside Thumbs%20UpLOL
 
LOLLOLLOLLOLLOL Thanks Dude!!!
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