Alternative Weekend: Lesser Known Concept Albums

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#AlternativeWeekend is a theme some of us have used to share music we enjoy that does not get the attention is deserves. This time I have picked out some albums from my collection that can be considered Concept Albums. I know this idea can be considered indulgent by some, but rock and pop music can aspire to be something more than a collection of of hits. I happen to like bands like Pink Floyd and Genesis. I have listened to stuff like Dark Side of the Moon and The Wall and The Lamb Lies Down on Broadway many times over the years.

CDs

Yes, I have the actual CDs.

Groundhogs - Split

I used to be a great user of record libraries. As well as borrowing books for free from the library you could take out albums on vinyl or cassette. CDs came along a little later. Of course I would tape anything I could get my hands on back then. I think I got the cassette of this from the library in Coventry when I was a student there. I did not know anything about the band, but the cover was cool.

The band date back to the early 60s and guitarist Tony McPhee has been the main man. This album is from 1971, which I think was in a very fertile period for music. There are four parts to Split itself which goes through various moods. I have to say the guitar playing is amazing. There are hints of Hendrix in there, but it is something of itself. There is a lot of use of effects, which were basic back then, some slide playing and some pure noise. There are other songs that are not part of the Split sequence that vary a bit. Cherry Red is a great rock song. Then there is Groundhog which is a sort of country blues. Can you tell I like it?

The Decemberists - The Hazards of Love

This is one of several albums I own that I bought after seeing a performance on Jools Holland's Later show. I did not know the band, but I liked their sound. They are a bit 'folky' and the story has various fairy tale themes. Wikipedia describes it as a rock opera and I can agree with that. A lot of the songs flow into the next, so it demands you listen to it through. I expect people listen to whole albums less these days, but I have been doing it for a long time. Mind you, in 'olden times' you had to turn the record over after about 20 minutes and possible swap to the second disc extracted from the gatefold sleeve with cool artwork and lyrics.

Grandaddy - The Sophtware Slump

I think I got into this one after hearing the song The Crystal Lake on X-FM whilst driving to and from work in London. That station used to play a lot of cool alternative music, but I think it went more mainstream later on. It may be less obviously a concept album, but the theme of issues with technology runs through it. I just learned from Wikipedia that is was all recorded by one guy. I do not always research music I listen to. Back in my student days we had no internet access and the web did not even exist back then. Now you can find loads of information on just about any artist, song or album with a quick search, but back then you had to look out for interviews and articles in the music press. I used to read the Sounds music newspaper back then. I would read about bands, but to hear them I would have to hope to hear them on the radio or track down a record.

Camille - le fil

I just remembered this one, so it did not make the photo. Camille is another artist I discovered via Later. She sang in French, which I do not really speak, but her performance captured me. The album has a tone that runs through it, 'the thread' of the title. It seems some people thought that was an audio fault, but it does tie it all together. This song in the show had someone tapping her back as she sang to get that sound that we play with as kids. There are other interesting uses of the voice as an instrument including blowing raspberries. I have no idea what the songs are about, but it sounds great. I am a big Bjork fan and this has some similarities to some of her work in terms of innovation. I am a sucker for original female voices.

What are your favourite concept albums?

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some new tunes to go have a listen to there.

I'm a progrock fan so there's basic and obvious ones on the list. Camel's The Snow Goose & Stationary Traveller; The Alan Parson's Project Eye in the Sky & Tales of Mystery and Imagination; Emerson Lake & Palmer's Pictures at an Exhibition; The Moody Blues In Search of the Lost Chord; Pink Floyd's Animals, The Wall, Wish You Were Here.

Others: Miles Davis' Sketches of Spain; Donald Fagan's The Nightfly.

I know some of those well. There are a fair few prog bands I just never got into though. I need to listen to The Nightfly again soon.

Enjoy!

!PIZZA

I found some cassettes in the garage this weekend but haven’t gone through them all yet. I don’t have a player any more, so they’re not much use to me. Brought back some memories though.

Not heard of any of these, I catch glimpses of the Jools show every now and again. He's been doing that since the very early 80's..

It actually started in 1992. There's a lack of live music on the main channels. Remember The Tube?

The Tube was cool, but I didn't appreciate it then, same with the Whistle Test.

Ah, Whistle Test was great although I was not so into it at the time. I think there is a place for a magazine type music show with interviews and performances. I am not that crazy on Jools as a presenter. I've heard you have to have to right connections to get on his show.

I don't always watch it, but it's led to a fair few purchases. I got into Radiohead after seeing them on it.

Yes, I have the actual CDs.

Ah, but do you have the cassette tapes?

During our move I was surprised to find a large bag filled with cassette tapes. Some of these hail from as far back as high school. Not sure those would still work well, but you never know. I'll have to report back when I get a chance to try them out. Since my older vehicle has a tape player finding these long lost cassettes was exciting.

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I've not used a cassette in a while. I'm not sure if I still have a player and I got rid of most of my tapes. I do have a fair bit of vinyl.

Amidst so many life transitions and moves I lost track of my original vinyl. :-( So in recent years I have been slowly creating a new collection. My youngest son is into vinyl so it's been fun to do this together.

I buy some vinyl for special editions, but I'm not convinced it's better than digital media. In any case I am running out of shelf space.

All these are lovely I might be needing all the cassettes how can I get them.

I don't know about cassettes, but you can buy the CDs or listen online.

I'll definitely do that thanks.

🍕 PIZZA !

I gifted $PIZZA slices here:
@steevc(2/5) tipped @stuartcturnbull (x1)

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