#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.
Yes, I have the actual CDs.
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?
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.
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.
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?
