Top 5, Pt. 2

For the second part of my nail biting series we examine my Top 5 favorite Concept Albums of all time. The quick definition of "concept album" is an album that uses it's entire length to tell a story. While there are a lot of great concept albums, and I have heard few that I have not liked, these are the five that I favor above all others.

Dream Theater - Scenes from a Memory

The first slot is a no brainer, one that has already been featured in my lair. Therefore, I shall cheat and just paste what I wrote about it before:

Released in 1999 this progressive rock conceptual masterpiece was the bands first album with new keyboardist Jordan Rudess. The epic story tells of a man who is fighting to uncover a murder conspiracy centered around the woman he used to be in a past life. The music is pure prog rock and really shows off just how talented each musician is, each at the top of their game.

Spock's Beard - Snow

The final Beard album with front man Neal Morse is a close 2nd on my list. The story tells of a young albino man who can see the future by just touching another person. The music on the album is some of the best from the bands career. Keyboardist Ryo Okumoto really shines on this disc, as does drummer Nick D'Virgilio who steps up to the mic for the first time in the bands studio recording history. The vocal melodies are at times extremely beautiful, most notably on "Solitary Soul / Wind at My Back". An excellent swan song for Neal Morse.

Ayreon - The Human Equation

By the time of this albums release Arjen Lucassen was already a major player in the progressive rock community. With nearly every album in the Ayreon catalogue a concept album Arjen had a lot to live up to. 'The Human Equation' delivers in spades. Telling the story of a man in a coma at war with his own emotions. And though the music is the best aspect of the disc (especially the smoking synth solo in "Isolation") the cast of guest vocalists is incredible. Singers like James LaBrie, Marcela Bovio, Devin Townsend, Mikael Ackerfeldt and Heather Findlay make this album incredible.

Emerson, Lake & Palmer - Pictures at an Exhibition

Though recorded before 'Tarkus', 'Pictures' was released as ELP's 3rd album. A live reworking of the Mussorgsky piece of the same name, ELP put there own bombastic touch, making the album an instant classic. Whether it be Greg Lake's beautiful vocals (of lyrics he himself penned), Palmer blitzkrieg drumming, or the ever impressive madman technique of keyboard extraordinaire Keith Emerson, there is something on this album for every prog fan.

Queensryche - Operation: Mindcrime

The final album has also been previously mentioned:

I can't say that I have always been a big fan of Queensryche, but after listening to this album several times it all fell into place. A concept album about a hit man for hire, the story follows Nicky who is hired by the evil Dr. X to kill or be killed. The music is incredible, and this album opened quite a few doors for 'ryche.

And there you have it. Here is a link for those that would like to dig a bit deeper into the world of concept albums. CLICK ME!

NP: Spock's Beard - Welcome to NYC