The Top 5 Conceptual Rock Albums of All Time
by, Madison Parks
There have been many conceptual rock albums created over the years, but these 5 stand out to me as the greatest. They speak ideas, tell stories, and make all think.
5. Green Day - American Idiot
This album, released in the midst of a divided country, tells what many people had wanted to say for a long time.
It is an extremely ambitious and different album for the Oakland-rooted punk rock band. It tells of problems in
today's society, referring back many times to "the child of rage and love, the Jesus of Suburbia." This album is a
must for any Pop-Punk fans, or anyone who wants to hear some true political poetry.
Most Memorable Song: Jesus of Suburbia
4. The Who - Tommy
The original conceptual rock album and the first Rock Opera, this album narrates the story of Tommy, a man whose
life goes downhill from his skill for pinball. As with any good masterpiece, it has a recurring theme, a line
repeated throughout that makes you think back to a previous track. This was also turned into a movie, starring Jack
Nicholson, Roger Daltrey, and many other stars. This album is great for classic rock fans, or anyone who's
interested in the roots of modern concepts in music.
Most Memorable Song: Sally Simpson
3. Muse - Absolution
Muse's Absolution speaks out the process of death. It's ups and downs never lets the listener stay grounded, and
leaves you on the edge of your seat. The operatic vocals of Matthew Bellamy (surpassed in modern rock vocals only
by Coldplay's Chris Martin) sound throughout the album taking the listener through the process all humans face at
the end of their lives. This is a great album for anyone who is looking for something different to listen to, as
well as people who don't usually listen to rock albums.
Most Memorable Song: Butterflies and Hurricanes
2. Queens of the Stone Age - Songs for the Deaf
This glorious piece of rock makes a bold statement about music on radios today. All the hard rock sounds are
intertwined with various parodies of radio stations and programs one might encounter. Throughout the whole album,
it is as if you are scrolling through stations, yet all say the same thing. The album raises the question, "Do we
really listen to songs on the radio, or are they really just songs for our deaf selves?" This album is for people
who enjoy hard rock, and some humor as well.
Most Memorable Song: A Song for the Dead
1. Pink Floyd - The Wall
This piece of sheer genious should be in any rock fan's collection. It tells of Roger Waters' feeling of separation
from fans, but has often been interpreted to tell of a journey into insanity. It speaks of a wall we all build, by
pushing things to the back of our minds, where they will eventually build such a great wall, that we are stuck on
one side, with no escape. Anyone who enjoys this should also watch the movie by the same name, which follows Pink
through is construction of an oversized wall. This album is for everyone, because no life is complete until you
have heard this.
Most Memorable Song: Comfortably Numb