Great concept albums that are worth a listen

Alice Cooper's debut studio album takes us on a journey through the nightmares of a child named Steven. "I loved horror movies. Still do. And I also love theatre and musicals. And I always had the grand idea that we could take the basic album and create a stage show from it, which is what we ultimately did," he said.

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'American Idiot' by Green Day -

Green Day's critically acclaimed album addresses the state of post-9/11 America and criticizes the Bush administration.

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'The Lamb Lies Down on Broadway' by Genesis -

The band's last album with Peter Gabriel tells the story of Rael, a former gang member who goes looking for a missed sibling in New York City.

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'Pet Sounds' by The Beach Boys -

One of the earliest examples of a concept album, this 1966 classic is a progressive journey written by Brian Wilson.

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'Desperado' by Eagles -

If you can envision the Eagles as a band of Old West outlaws, then this is the perfect record for you.

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'good kid, m.A.A.d city' by Kendrick Lamar -

Kendrick Lamar's 2012 album is essentially about the experience of growing up in Compton. The cover of the coming-of-age album even features the phrase "A short film by Kendrick Lamar."

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'The Black Parade' by My Chemical Romance -

My Chemical Romance's album follows a terminal cancer patient on his journey towards death. 'The Black Parade' is an emo rock classic definitely worth a listen.

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'American Gangster' by Jay-Z -

Jay-Z's 2007 album is inspired by the film 'American Gangster,' which tells the story of mobster Frank Lucas.

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'El Mal Querer' by Rosalía -

Rosalía's 2018 album is inspired by a 13th-century, European novel called 'Flamenca,' originally written in Occitan.

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'Songs for the Deaf' by Queens of the Stone Age -

QOTSA's 2002 album takes us on a drive through the California desert, tuning into radio stations along the way.

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'Lemonade' by Beyoncé -

Queen Bey took her husband's infidelity and turned it into a record. She reflects on themes such as blackness and feminism in this deeply personal album. The 2022 follow-up, 'Renaissance,' is also a concept album. The tracks are lined up as if they were part of a DJ set.

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'Red Headed Stranger' by Willie Nelson -

The album follows a man on the run after killing his wife and her lover. 'Red Headed Stranger' is an outlaw country classic.

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'Seventh Son of a Seventh Son' by Iron Maiden -

Maiden always had a knack for storytelling, and 'Seventh Son of a Seventh Son' is no exception. The band's seventh album is inspired by Orson Scott Card's novel 'Seventh Son' and takes us on a journey, touching on themes such as clairvoyance.

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'The Downward Spiral' by Nine Inch Nails -

Arguably the most iconic Nine Inch Nails album of all time, 'The Downward Spiral' takes us on a man's journey of self-destruction.

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'Joe’s Garage' by Frank Zappa -

Frank Zappa's three-part concept album tells the story of Los Angeles teen Joe and delves deep into a number of themes, including censorship, individualism, religion, and sexuality, among others.

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'The Suburbs' by Arcade Fire -

The album's theme revolves around the upbringing of bandmates Win and Will Butler in Houston. Front man Will Butler describes it as “neither a love letter to, nor an indictment of, the suburbs – it’s a letter from the suburbs.”

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'Watertown' by Frank Sinatra -

'Watertown' is not your average Sinatra album. It tells the story of a man who is abandoned by his wife.

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'Berlin' by Lou Reed -

Lou Reed's 1973 rock opera tells the story of drug-addicted couple Jim and Caroline.

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'The ArchAndroid' by Janelle Monáe -

'The ArchAndroid' is heavily inspired by the dystopian vibes of Fritz Lang’s 1927 classic, 'Metropolis.' 'Dirty Computer,' released in 2018, can also be interpreted as a concept album.

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'Operation: Mindcrime' by Queensrÿche -

'Operation: Mindcrime' tells the story of a drug addict named Nikki and his journey as a member of a revolutionary group.

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'Quadrophenia' by The Who -

Concept album masters The Who released the double album 'Quadrophenia' in 1973. The album is a rock opera about the struggles of Jimmy, a working-class mod who becomes a fan of the band after seeing them live.

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'The Kinks Are The Village Green Preservation Society' by The Kinks -

Regarded as one of the first concept albums, this 1968 record takes us on a nostalgic trip into Englishness.

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'Garth Brooks In...the Life of Chris Gaines' by Garth Brooks -

This one deserves a mention for how wild the concept was. Country star Garth Brooks released a record as his alter ego, Chris Gaines.

Sources: (Rolling Stone) (NME) (Yardbarker) (Far Out) (Ranker)

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'The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars' by David Bowie -

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'The Wall' by Pink Floyd -

'The Wall' tells the story of jaded rock star Pink, a character looking to find his place in society who eventually isolates himself from the world.

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'Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band' by The Beatles -

The Beatles released one of the most popular concept albums of all time. Sgt. Pepper and his bandmates are indeed great songwriters!

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'Tommy' by The Who -

The Who's iconic rock opera follows the story of Tommy Walker, a traumatized kid who becomes a spiritual leader. Released in 1969, 'Tommy' remains one of the greatest concept albums of all time.

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'The Dark Side of the Moon' by Pink Floyd -

The concept of Pink Floyd's 1973 album remains ambiguous. It has been suggested that it's a journey from life to death. Each side of the record is essentially a continuous piece of music as well.

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'What’s Going On' by Marvin Gaye -

Marvin Gaye's masterpiece is essentially a protest album. It touches on themes such as the urban African-American experience, drug addiction, and ecology.

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'Welcome to My Nightmare' by Alice Cooper -

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'American Idiot' by Green Day -

Green Day's critically acclaimed album addresses the state of post-9/11 America and criticizes the Bush administration.

Getty Images

8 / 30 Fotos

'The Lamb Lies Down on Broadway' by Genesis -

The band's last album with Peter Gabriel tells the story of Rael, a former gang member who goes looking for a missed sibling in New York City.

Shutterstock

9 / 30 Fotos

'Pet Sounds' by The Beach Boys -

One of the earliest examples of a concept album, this 1966 classic is a progressive journey written by Brian Wilson.

Getty Images

10 / 30 Fotos

'Desperado' by Eagles -

If you can envision the Eagles as a band of Old West outlaws, then this is the perfect record for you.

Shutterstock

11 / 30 Fotos

'good kid, m.A.A.d city' by Kendrick Lamar -

Kendrick Lamar's 2012 album is essentially about the experience of growing up in Compton. The cover of the coming-of-age album even features the phrase "A short film by Kendrick Lamar."

Getty Images

12 / 30 Fotos

'The Black Parade' by My Chemical Romance -

My Chemical Romance's album follows a terminal cancer patient on his journey towards death. 'The Black Parade' is an emo rock classic definitely worth a listen.

Getty Images

13 / 30 Fotos

'American Gangster' by Jay-Z -

Jay-Z's 2007 album is inspired by the film 'American Gangster,' which tells the story of mobster Frank Lucas.

Getty Images

14 / 30 Fotos

'El Mal Querer' by Rosalía -

Rosalía's 2018 album is inspired by a 13th-century, European novel called 'Flamenca,' originally written in Occitan.

Getty Images

15 / 30 Fotos

'Songs for the Deaf' by Queens of the Stone Age -

QOTSA's 2002 album takes us on a drive through the California desert, tuning into radio stations along the way.

Getty Images

16 / 30 Fotos

'Lemonade' by Beyoncé -

Getty Images

17 / 30 Fotos

'Red Headed Stranger' by Willie Nelson -

The album follows a man on the run after killing his wife and her lover. 'Red Headed Stranger' is an outlaw country classic.

Getty Images

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'Seventh Son of a Seventh Son' by Iron Maiden -

Shutterstock

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'The Downward Spiral' by Nine Inch Nails -

Arguably the most iconic Nine Inch Nails album of all time, 'The Downward Spiral' takes us on a man's journey of self-destruction.

Getty Images

20 / 30 Fotos

'Joe’s Garage' by Frank Zappa -

Frank Zappa's three-part concept album tells the story of Los Angeles teen Joe and delves deep into a number of themes, including censorship, individualism, religion, and sexuality, among others.

Shutterstock

21 / 30 Fotos

'The Suburbs' by Arcade Fire -

Getty Images

22 / 30 Fotos

'Watertown' by Frank Sinatra -

'Watertown' is not your average Sinatra album. It tells the story of a man who is abandoned by his wife.

Getty Images

23 / 30 Fotos

'Berlin' by Lou Reed -

Lou Reed's 1973 rock opera tells the story of drug-addicted couple Jim and Caroline.

Shutterstock

24 / 30 Fotos

'The ArchAndroid' by Janelle Monáe -

'The ArchAndroid' is heavily inspired by the dystopian vibes of Fritz Lang’s 1927 classic, 'Metropolis.' 'Dirty Computer,' released in 2018, can also be interpreted as a concept album.

Getty Images

25 / 30 Fotos

'Operation: Mindcrime' by Queensrÿche -

'Operation: Mindcrime' tells the story of a drug addict named Nikki and his journey as a member of a revolutionary group.

Getty Images

26 / 30 Fotos

'Quadrophenia' by The Who -

Getty Images

27 / 30 Fotos

'The Kinks Are The Village Green Preservation Society' by The Kinks -

Regarded as one of the first concept albums, this 1968 record takes us on a nostalgic trip into Englishness.

Getty Images

28 / 30 Fotos

'Garth Brooks In...the Life of Chris Gaines' by Garth Brooks -

This one deserves a mention for how wild the concept was. Country star Garth Brooks released a record as his alter ego, Chris Gaines.

Sources: (Rolling Stone) (NME) (Yardbarker) (Far Out) (Ranker)

Getty Images

29 / 30 Fotos

Great concept albums that are worth a listen

Have you listened to any of them?

28/02/25 | StarsInsider

MUSIC Albums

There isn't really a consensus as to what a concept album actually is, but generally speaking, it's safe to say that it's an album with an overall theme. This collective meaning can be achieved in a number of different ways. The narrative can be made through lyrics, the instrumental, the sequence of songs, or simply by having a central theme around which the album revolves.

Today, concept albums are not as popular as they were back in the '60s or '70s, but there are still a few examples from the late 21st century. In this gallery, we look at some of the best ones ever released. Click on and get to know them.