Tuesday Review & Releases

There aren’t too many notable releases coming out today but here they are:

- Green Day – 21st Century Breakdown (being released Friday I believe)
- The Crystal Method – Divided By Night

- STRYPER'S NEW SINGLE (I believe their new lead singer is the guy from Boston.)

With the new Green Day album coming out being advertised as a Rock Opera or a concept album and with the Decemberists releasing a concept album just a month ago I thought I’d share with you all my favorite concept albums and why.

My favorite Rap/R&B concept album is:Lupe Fiasco – The Cool

Not a complete concept album, but the parts that are are really good. The Cool, a young rapper is tempted by a woman named, The Streets, who promises him fame and money, her eyes glow green and promises him that he will never feel pain. The Game, represents the pimp’s game, the hustler’s game, etc. His eyes are dice and exhales crack smoke. Both The Street and The Game have supernatural powers. The Cool hears The Street’s calling his name, The Cool gets involved with The Game and The Cool’s right hand starts to rot away, representing his “right”-eousness.

Favorite Rock concept album:
Mars Volta – De-Loused in the Comatorium

A man dissatisfied with life overdoses on rat poison and morphine. He falls into a weeklong coma filled with hallucinations, when he wakes up he jumps to his death. This story was based upon the death of Julio Venegas.

Favorite Alternative concept album:
The Flaming Lips – Yoshimi Battles the Pink Robots

Some would say that it's not a complete concept album, but as an album, it's amazing! This album of course is what the title says it is. But only the first 4 tracks really talk about the story line. But still the rest of the album is a great collection of songs that talk about love, mortality, deception, artificial emotions, etc. I believe they're thoughts and experiences of Yoshimi.

Now a days, concept albums aren’t really all that concepty or that good. Record execs don’t like trying to sell concept albums. Plus I think concept albums hit their peak back in the 70’s with David Bowie, the Who, stuff from the Kinks, and Pink Floyd.

If you want to get into concept albums then I recommend two routes:

Route 1 (the classic rock concept albums):
- The Kinks - Arther (Or the Decline and Fall of the British Empre) or Village Green Preservation Society
- The Who - Tommy & The Who Sell Out
- David Bowie - The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars
- Pink Floyd - The Wall & Dark Side of the Moon

Route 2 (more modern concept albums and a splash from the past):
- Green Day – American Idiot (I know, I know, I know… what’s this doing here? But it is, give it a listen, it’s based around a character named “Jesus of Suburbia” & Saint Jimmy.)
- The Flaming Lips – Yoshima Battles the Pink Robots
- Lupe Fiasco – The Cool
- Jay Z – American Gangster
- Vivaldi – Four Seasons (my favorite classical concept album)

Start with one route and try end up at the other route. Concept albums are great because they make you a better listener, more critical about music, and make you more appreciative of music.

Live long and prosper!