concept album
Unified musical work
A concept album is a music album unified by a central theme, narrative, or artistic idea rather than being a collection of unrelated songs.
The concept might be a story told across tracks, an exploration of a single subject, or a consistent musical atmosphere.
The Who's Tommy is a classic concept album.
The form emerged prominently in 1960s rock and remains common in progressive and art rock.
Testing new methods
- avant-gardeInnovative cultural pioneers
- ambitiousStrongly desiring achievement
- genre-bendingBlending distinct artistic categories
- visionaryImaginative planner of futures
innovative · groundbreaking · boundary-pushing · auteur · masterwork · magnum opus · seminal · influential
Sequence of fictional events
- protagonistStory's central figure
- antagonistOne who opposes another
- climaxPoint of greatest intensity
- resolutionFormal decision or determination
conflict · narrator · chapters · arc · plot · saga · chronicle · epic
Recurring thematic element
- leitmotifRecurring thematic phrase
- symbolismRepresenting concepts through images
- metaphorImplied identity comparison
- allusionIndirect reference to something
imagery · subtext · recurring themes · allegory · central theme · philosophical · social commentary · dystopia
Complex, extended rock music
- orchestrationScoring for instrumental ensemble
- instrumentationDesign of measuring devices
- arrangementOrdered configuration or agreement
- compositionArranged elements forming whole
production · soundscapes · reprises · overture · suite · medley · segue · interlude
Uninterrupted progression or coherence
- flowUnbroken forward movement
- sequenceOrdered succession of elements
- transitionsMovements between states
- coherenceLogical internal consistency
unity · integration · progression · arc · thread · interconnection · segue · bookends
experimental
Testing new methods
- avant-gardeInnovative cultural pioneers
- ambitiousStrongly desiring achievement
- genre-bendingBlending distinct artistic categories
visionary · innovative · groundbreaking · boundary-pushing · auteur · masterwork · magnum opus · seminal · influential · critically acclaimed
storyline
Sequence of fictional events
- protagonistStory's central figure
- antagonistOne who opposes another
- climaxPoint of greatest intensity
resolution · conflict · narrator · chapters · arc · plot · saga · chronicle · epic · allegory
motif
Recurring thematic element
- leitmotifRecurring thematic phrase
- symbolismRepresenting concepts through images
- metaphorImplied identity comparison
allusion · imagery · subtext · recurring themes · allegory · central theme · philosophical · social commentary · dystopia · utopia
progressive rock
Complex, extended rock music
- orchestrationScoring for instrumental ensemble
- instrumentationDesign of measuring devices
- arrangementOrdered configuration or agreement
composition · production · soundscapes · reprises · overture · suite · medley · segue · interlude · layering
continuity
Uninterrupted progression or coherence
- flowUnbroken forward movement
- sequenceOrdered succession of elements
- transitionsMovements between states
coherence · unity · integration · progression · arc · thread · interconnection · segue · bookends · gapless
- AlbumsThriller, Rumours, Pet Sounds, OK Computer, Abbey Road
- compilationsanthology, compilation, anthologies, collection, collected stories
- album typesEP, compilation
- narrative musicballad, folk ballad, story song, murder ballad, country ballad
- Prog RockKing Crimson, Pink Floyd, Genesis, Jethro Tull, prog rock
- Broadwaymusicals, musical, Tony Award, musical theatre, theaters
album, concept, conceive, conception, misconception, conceptual, albums, preconception, conceptualize