Concept album is spelled "ˈkɒnsept ˈælbəm". The first word "concept" is pronounced with the stress on the first syllable, followed by an "e" sound as in "bed", then a "t" sound as in "top", and ending with a "k" sound. The second word, "album", is pronounced with the stress on the first syllable, followed by an "a" sound as in "cat", then an "l" sound, and ending with an "m" sound. A concept album is a musical album where all the songs are linked by a theme or storyline.
A concept album is a musical recording in which the songs are united by a common theme, storyline, or concept. Unlike a typical album, where each song may stand alone as an individual entity, a concept album is designed to be heard as a cohesive piece of work, often telling a narrative or exploring a specific idea. The songs within a concept album are intentionally connected, either through their lyrics, musical motifs, or both, to create a unified experience for the listener.
The concept behind a concept album varies depending on the artist's intentions. It can encompass a wide range of topics, such as love, politics, human experience, or even a fictional storyline. The underlying idea is that the album as a whole is greater than the sum of its parts, with each song contributing to the overall theme or message.
Concept albums have been a popular format across various genres of music, including rock, progressive rock, pop, hip-hop, and even classical music. They often feature complex arrangements, thematic variations, recurring musical motifs, and interludes to enhance the overarching concept.
Notable examples of concept albums include Pink Floyd's "The Wall," The Beatles' "Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band," and Kendrick Lamar's "good kid, m.A.A.d city." These albums showcase how the concept album format can provide a unique listening experience, allowing artists to delve deeper into their artistic expression and connect with their audience on a deeper level.
The word "concept album" is composed of two distinct words.
The term "concept" originates from the Latin word "conceptum", which means "something conceived" or "an idea". It entered the English language in the 16th century, derived from the Latin verb "concipere", which means "to take in" or "to conceive". Over time, it came to refer to an abstract or general idea, often with a plan or intention behind it.
The word "album" has its roots in the Latin word "albus", which means "white". In ancient Rome, an "album" referred to a white board or tablet on which notes were written or painted. By the 17th century, "album" was used to describe a collection of blank pages for collecting various types of written or visual material, like sketches, poetry, or photographs.