Apparently, no one told The Decemberists. The literary-minded band's latest, The Hazards of Love, out this week, is a concept album that one critic described as "about a girl named Margaret, shapeshifters, forest queens and fairytale treachery."
But the concept album doesn't have to be ridiculous. These five set the standard.
Husker Du, Zen Arcade
(1984): The story of a runaway who learns just how hard life is found this intense trio taking punk rock far beyond its previous boundaries. A generation of fans, musicians and critics was changed, though you'd never know it by album sales alone
Marvin Gaye, Here, My Dear
(1978) After a messy divorce, Gaye agreed to record an album to pay off his debts. Gaye couldn't help but use the album as therapy, bringing seductive soul to lyrics like, "When did you stop loving me, when did I stop loving you?"
David Bowie, The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars
(1972): The story of the rock star as alien, here to help us humans before we destroy our civilization, is better known and enjoyed for its cutting-edge glitter rock sound and transgendered live show.
The Kinks, The Kinks Are the Village Green Preservation Society
(1968): Young Decemberists fans would be wise to check out this actually-British group. This tale of enjoying rural life as an escape from the big, bad modern city has melodies for miles.
Frank Sinatra, In the Wee Small Hours
(1954): Considered the first long-player grouped around a theme, Sinatra hit his stride with this collection of tearjerkers about staying up late, lamenting lost love.
c. 2009 The Courier-Journal
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