An Examination of Concept Records
Concept records have had a bit of a resurgence in the past few years as artists of all genres seek to delve into hyper-specific worlds of their own invention. Definitively, concept records are albums where all the tracks are unified by a central theme or narrative, often telling a story or exploring a specific idea. They appeal to listeners hoping to escape their own worlds and see reflections of their own realities in music. Today, let’s analyze different concept records that have defined the past 20 years or so of music!
"Lemonade" by Beyoncé (2016):
Concept: A visual album exploring themes of marital infidelity, black female empowerment, and black southern cultural identity, "Lemonade" takes the listener on a journey of emotional turbulence and self-discovery, as Beyonce moves from a space of pain to healing. As Beyoncé stated in her Grammy’s acceptance speech, her intention “was to create a body of work that will give a voice to [Black Southern female] pain, our struggles, our darkness and our history, to confront issues that make us uncomfortable -
Why it Matters: Beyoncé's "Lemonade" is a groundbreaking work that blends music, poetry, and visuals to address personal and universal struggles within relationships, particularly the experiences of Black women. A game-changing visual album, Lemonade posits that the visuals are just as important as the music in creating an artistic identity.
Album Sales/Chart Position: Certified Platinum; debuted at #1 on the Billboard 200.
Judy’s Track Picks: "Formation," "Sorry," "Freedom"
"The Suburbs" by Arcade Fire (2010): A reflection on suburban life, exploring nostalgia, societal change, and the struggle for individuality within the constraints of suburban existence. It paints a vivid picture of the tension between personal memories and the shifting landscape of suburban America. Win Butler of Arcade Fire said, "I was in my late twenties, and there were all these details of my childhood in Houston… I would close my eyes and imagine riding my bike through town and trying to find the edges of my memory. There was kind of all this emotion that came up through that, and I wanted to capture it.”
Why it Matters: Arcade Fire's exploration of universal themes resonates across generations, creating a sonic tapestry that captures the essence of a shared suburban experience, an American experience deserving of its own artistic record.
Album Sales/Chart Position: Certified Platinum; peaked at #1 on the Billboard 200.
Judy’s Track Picks: "The Suburbs," "Ready to Start," "Sprawl II (Mountains Beyond Mountains)"
"The Black Parade" by My Chemical Romance (2006): "The Black Parade" unfolds as a rock opera, chronicling the journey of "The Patient" through death and the afterlife. It explores themes of mortality, identity, and the pursuit of meaning in the face of one's impending demise. In one quote that captures the band’s artistic mission during this particular era, Gerard Way said “The difference we wanna make is, number one, to let these kids know that they’re not alone, that they’re actually not that messed up and that they can do whatever they want. They can express themselves however they want without be persecuted or called a ‘f***ot’ or some kind of racist thing.”
Why it Matters: My Chemical Romance's theatrical and emotionally charged approach to storytelling pushes the boundaries of the rock genre, making "The Black Parade" an iconic piece of mid-2000s music culture. Bands like Twenty One Pilots and Waterpark are inheritors of sonic palettes perfected by MCR.
Album Sales/Chart Position: Certified triple Platinum; peaked at #2 on the Billboard 200.
Judy’s Track Picks: "Welcome to the Black Parade," "Famous Last Words," "I Don't Love You
"To Pimp a Butterfly" by Kendrick Lamar (2015):
Concept: Kendrick Lamar's critically acclaimed album, released in the wake of the BLM movement, is a nuanced exploration of African-American identity, institutional racism, and self-discovery, using the West Coast as its focal point sonically and aesthetically. It unfolds as a complex narrative, utilizing a variety of musical influences—jazz, poetry, hip hops— and Pulitzer Prize winning lyricism. Speaking to the political moment and his place in it, Kendrick Lamar said in an interview with The Gaurdian, “It’s already in your blood because I am Trayvon Martin, you know. I’m all of these kids.”"
Why it Matters: "To Pimp a Butterfly" transcends the boundaries of hip-hop and establishes itself as a landmark cultural commentary and Lamar as a power player in that world.
Album Sales/Chart Position: Certified Platinum; won the Grammy for Best Rap Album; debuted at #1 on the Billboard 200.
Judy’s Track Picks: "Alright," "King Kunta," "The Blacker the Berry"
"The ArchAndroid" by Janelle Monáe (2010):
Concept: Janelle Monáe's concept album serves as a sci-fi epic, featuring an android messiah named Cindi Mayweather. The narrative explores themes of identity, love, and rebellion within a dystopian future, drawing from various musical genres.
Why it Matters: "The ArchAndroid" showcases Monáe's versatility as an artist, blending funk, R&B, and rock in a genre-defying exploration of societal issues and personal empowerment. It was a pre-cursor to future concept albums by black female artists like Beyoncé
Album Sales/Chart Position: Certified Gold; peaked at #17 on the Billboard 200.
Judy’s Track Picks: "Tightrope," "Cold War," "Q.U.E.E.N. ft. Erykah Badu"
