Concept Albums

What is a concept album?

A concept album is a collection of songs that are unified by a central theme or concept. The theme can be instrumental, compositional, lyrical, or narrative. The tracks on a concept album have a larger purpose or meaning collectively than they do individually

The first Concept album?

Possibly the first concept album to be released was Gunfighter Ballads and Trail Songs by Marty Robbins in 1959.

Marty Robbins – Gunfighter Ballads And Trail Songs (Full Album)

But, the first concept album is generally recognized as Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band by The Beatles.

The Beatles – Sgt Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band 1967 (Full Album)

However, some say that: 

Freak Out! by Frank Zappa and the Mothers  of Invention, released in 1966, was a major influence on the conceptual nature of *Sgt. Pepper*

The Planets by Gustav Holst, recorded in 1922, was the first time an album-length concept was accomplished.

Tommy  by The Who , released in 1969, is considered “the first concept album”

Our Current “Should Listen To” list:

Dav̲i̲d B̲o̲wie – Z̲i̲g̲g̲y S̲ta̲rD̲ust Full Album 1972

Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band (Remastered 2009)

The̲ W̲ho -Tommy (1969) 1990 MFSL Remaster (Full Album)

M̤o̤o̤d̤y̤ ̤B̤l̤ṳe̤s D̤a̤ys Of Future Pa̤ss̤ed Full Album

Marvin Gaye – Whats´ Going On -1971 -FULL ALBUM

Rick Wakeman – Journey to The Centre of The Earth – Full Album 1974

Frank Sinatra In The Wee Small Hours Full Album

YouTube “Best” list:

10 – Thick as a brick – Jethro Tull

9 – De-Loused in the Conitorium – the Mars Volta

8 – Metropolis Pt.2 Scenes from a Memory – Dream Theator

7 – 2112 – Rush

6 – Operation Mindcrime – Queensryche

5 – American Idiot – Greenday

4 – The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Startdust and the spiders from Mars – Bowie

3 – Sgt Peppers Lonely Heart Club Band’- Beatles

2 – Tommy – the Who

1 – The Wall – Pink Floyd

P̲ink Flo̲yd – T̲h̲e̲ W̲a̲l̲l̲ (Full Album)1979

Here is a link to the concert – [HD] Pink Floyd The Wall: Live In Earl’s Court 1980

Here is a link to the movie – Pink Floyd – The Wall “Full Movie” 1982 – Bonus original clip “Hey you” (Remastered)

Honorable Mentions:

Yoshimi battles pink robots – the flaming lips,

The Black Parade – My Chemical Romance,

The Lamb Lies Down on Broadway – Genesis,

Joes Garage – Frank Zappa,

Good Kid, MADD City – Kendrick Lamar,

Multiple Pink Floyd albums including Dark Side of the Moon.