Concept Albums...

 "What up? How's everyone doing? You are now in the world I'm ruling" 

Music can sometimes lose focus despite the genre, it's very easy for artists to just create an "album" and just throw a bunch of radio worthy tracks on it, especially with Rap, where we learn that "Fucking Bitches, shooting up with the squad and smoking weed" is the general trend.

Which brings me to my point, there's no point in listening to an album which is probably 43 minutes (on average) of your time if it's all about the same thing *cough* Wiz Khalifa's O.N.I.F.C. *cough*. You need to listen to a story expressed by the lyrics of the songs on the album. One of the best examples is Janelle Monaè's "Metropolis" series which is her interpretation of the old classic future film "Metropolis". I plan to do a post explaining the concept soon because I really think everyone should give the albums a listen. 

Metropolis itself is about a futuristic city dictated by robots, the higher the model of robot the more power they have. Now how exactly is one supposed to write a load of songs on that concept and still relate it to personal, political, historical issues and deliver it in a smooth R&B styling? This is the beauty of concept albums.

The only problem with concept albums which I fully appreciate is, what if you don't get the concept of the album? What if the skits, lyrics, intermissions don't actually paint a picture of the story and you find yourself listening to the good music but not really understanding it? Fair enough, music at the end of the day is for listening and entertainment and listen to whatever makes you happy.

But if you ever want to explore your musical insight and listen to someone's story give a concept album a listen.

My favourites are:

1. The Electric Lady - Janelle Monaè 

2. The Archandroid - Janelle Monaè 

3. The Suburbs - Arcade Fire 

4. good kid M.A.A.D city - Kendrick Lamar 

5. American Idiot - Green Day 

6. The College Droupout - Kanye West

7. Late Registration - Kanye West 

8. Graduation - Kanye West 

9. Man on the Moon II: The legend of Mr. Rager - Kid Cudi 

10. Wolf - Tyler, The Creator

If you recommend any of these albums make sure you tell them Tomification Said so