(n.) A collection of songs written around one central theme or idea. Usually, each individual track expresses a different aspect or part of the main concept, with each track fitting together to form a cohesive idea.
This would not include something like a greatest hits album, with the central theme being best selling songs.
Queens of the Stone Age 2002 release "Songs for the Deaf" is a concept album around the theme of the album being played on the radio, with intro by different made-up DJ's, etc.
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Concept albums are albums that are written with a specific storyline or plot in mind. All the songs follow a consistent theme, story, plot, or character. These albums are often epic and tell the story of one or more characters, usually fictional but can also be factual. The story can also be based on facts but has fictional characters. For example, the album "Vinland Saga" (Leaves' Eyes), is a concept album based upon the true events of the Vikings of Norway, commonly referred to as the Norse. However, the characters in it are of the lyricist's imagination entirely.
Concept albums have been known to be present more commonly in the metal genre, but they can be of any genre, as long as they meet the definition of a concept album.
Examples of concept albums:
- Lovelorn, by Leaves' Eyes
- Vinland Saga, by Leaves' Eyes
- The Black Parade, My Chemical Romance
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An album which was better in concept than in realization
Kiss's Music from the Elder and Yes's Tales From Topographic Oceans are examples of concept albums
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