06-09-2008, 18:13
Jon's spot-on about the pomposity associated with prog concept albums, although as a Floyd fan I think they can work. The Wall is a big fave of mine, pomposity or not.
A couple that spring to mind that are OK:
Elvis Costello - The Juliet Letters Recorded with The Brodsky Quartet, this is a collection of songs inspired by different sorts of letter (as in mail). It's not really a narrative story, but works well anyway.
Neil Young - Greendale A story about a fictitious family, incorporating thoughts on the media, environmentalism and so on. Not well critically received, but OK.
Drive-By Truckers - Southern Rock Opera An excellent concept album loosely intertwined with the Lynyrd Skynyrd story.
Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds - Murder Ballads Not so much a concept album as a collection of...... Murder Ballads.
A couple that spring to mind that are OK:
Elvis Costello - The Juliet Letters Recorded with The Brodsky Quartet, this is a collection of songs inspired by different sorts of letter (as in mail). It's not really a narrative story, but works well anyway.
Neil Young - Greendale A story about a fictitious family, incorporating thoughts on the media, environmentalism and so on. Not well critically received, but OK.
Drive-By Truckers - Southern Rock Opera An excellent concept album loosely intertwined with the Lynyrd Skynyrd story.
Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds - Murder Ballads Not so much a concept album as a collection of...... Murder Ballads.