Jingle.Boy's Top 50 Concept Albums - The Top 2 to wrap things up

[wolfking]

SUE - Pretty generic Vision Divine or DGM sounding stuff.  I just get nothing out of these vocals anymore to be honest.  This stuff is almost pop to me now.  The singers carry on in the video also was annoying.

Odd Dimension - Meh, this is fine I guess.  I hear Peruvian Skies in the intro and I skipped to the middle once the female singer started.  The instrumental section in the middle was pretty solid.

[jingle.boy]

You're a hard man to please!   Well, these were 49 and 50, so maybe there will be something further up the list (other than things you already know) that will rub you the right way. 

[lonestar]

 

[jingle.boy]

Ok Cheffy, here's one you'll relate to.  Not sure if you've ever spun it though, as the band/leader isn't exactly one I would think you'd connect with.

Sixx:A.M. / The Heroin Diaries [2007]


The concept album serves as the companion soundtrack to Sixx's autobiography, The Heroin Diaries: A Year in the Life of a Shattered Rock Star, and is about Sixx's severe heroin addiction in 1987.  Helluva way to open it, especially given the time of year (as I was composing this writeup).  I'm kinda feeling some of this opening monologue, unfortunately (albeit, not for the reasons of drug addiction/overdose).  This one is a really nice mix of old-school hard rock, with just a zest of proginess to it.  I never would have expected an outfit fronted by Nikki Sixx could put together something like this.  Such a compelling and personal story, and music that has a depth to it that I never heard from Crue - with a variety of different musical styles coming in and out of the album.  The vibe of the music complements the tone of the story from start to finish.

Fave Song - Life is Beautiful

[TAC]

SUE - Pretty generic Vision Divine or DGM sounding stuff.  I just get nothing out of these vocals anymore to be honest.  This stuff is almost pop to me now.  The singers carry on in the video also was annoying.

Odd Dimension - Meh, this is fine I guess.  I hear Peruvian Skies in the intro and I skipped to the middle once the female singer started.  The instrumental section in the middle was pretty solid.

In the end, while the Odd Dimension singer is sure as hell talented, I just thought he lacked the personality and flavor of the original singer, who is definitely inferior vocally.

[TAC]

I can't do the SixxAM.

[jingle.boy]

I can't do the SixxAM.

Because of the story, or the music, or the composer?

[TAC]

I can't do the SixxAM.

Because of the story, or the music, or the composer?

The music. Anything with a lack of real drums is a thumbs down here. Those DJ sounds kill any chance I have of listening.

[jingle.boy]

I can't do the SixxAM.

Because of the story, or the music, or the composer?

The music. Anything with a lack of real drums is a thumbs down here. Those DJ sounds kill any chance I have of listening.

hmph... never really noticed it.

[nick_z]

The Heroin Diaries is a great album!

I remember randomly picking it up as a used CD a few years ago...I had read good things about it, but I was overall a little skeptical. Thought, what the heck, let's try it. And it was a big surprise! Real good songwriting on this one.

[jingle.boy]

The Heroin Diaries is a great album!

I remember randomly picking it up as a used CD a few years ago...I had read good things about it, but I was overall a little skeptical. Thought, what the heck, let's try it. And it was a big surprise! Real good songwriting on this one.

Ditto ... except for the buying the CD part.

[ReaperKK]

I've heard SixxAM come up a lot over the years and never checked it out. I gave "Life Is Beautiful" a listen and I never knew this was sixxam . It's a great track, will check the rest out after Odd Dimension

[Stadler]

There's such a fine line between top tier vocalists and the next level. It's a great song, but I've heard that singer 100 times in a 1,000 bars.  Is it the guy from Panic Channel?  Might be.  How about the guy from Skid Row after Sebastian?   Might be.   Is it Russell Allen?  I don't know, might be.   

[ReaperKK]

It's a great song, but I've heard that singer 100 times in a 1,000 bars. 

I feel that way about most modern prog singers. Sometimes it feels like bands are trading off the same dude who sounds like he is gargling marbles.

[Adami]

Since I haven't finished my newest concept album yet, I assume one of my last two will be on the list? Likely spots 1 and 2?

[jingle.boy]

There's such a fine line between top tier vocalists and the next level. It's a great song, but I've heard that singer 100 times in a 1,000 bars.  Is it the guy from Panic Channel?  Might be.  How about the guy from Skid Row after Sebastian?   Might be.   Is it Russell Allen?  I don't know, might be.

I can't say I disagree.  What I will say, is 'I don't care'  IMO, it's' no different than saying  'I've tasted this same cut of red meat 1000 times in 100 restaurants'*.  Still sounds fine in my ears. 

Take that Russell Allen hate to P/R!!!   

*methinks I'm gonna get some mileage out of this red meat analogy! 

[jingle.boy]

Since I haven't finished my newest concept album yet, I assume one of my last two will be on the list? Likely spots 1 and 2?

I think I listened to one of them a long time ago when you first were pimping it out <checks bandcamp page>.  Yeah, I seem to remember The Fall of Grace. Shit dude, you've had 3 more albums since then?!?!?  Well hot fuck.  Guess I'm checking those out over the weekend.  TBH, TFoG didn't quite strike me too hard back then.  I'll give it another go though.

But I'm not re-working my list!  #SorryNotSorry

[Adami]

Since I haven't finished my newest concept album yet, I assume one of my last two will be on the list? Likely spots 1 and 2?

I think I listened to one of them a long time ago when you first were pimping it out <checks bandcamp page>.  Yeah, I seem to remember The Fall of Grace. Shit dude, you've had 3 more albums since then?!?!?  Well hot fuck.  Guess I'm checking those out over the weekend.  TBH, TFoG didn't quite strike me too hard back then.  I'll give it another go though.

But I'm not re-working my list!  #SorryNotSorry

Apparently TFoG didn't strike anyone too hard except me haha. All good. Guess it'll be my personal Lulu. Hopefully my other albums aren't all Lulu's too though.

But only one finished since then. Finished writing a third and trying to arrange to record drums in the next few months then eventually find vocalists and such.

[jingle.boy]

Since I haven't finished my newest concept album yet, I assume one of my last two will be on the list? Likely spots 1 and 2?

I think I listened to one of them a long time ago when you first were pimping it out <checks bandcamp page>.  Yeah, I seem to remember The Fall of Grace. Shit dude, you've had 3 more albums since then?!?!?  Well hot fuck.  Guess I'm checking those out over the weekend.  TBH, TFoG didn't quite strike me too hard back then.  I'll give it another go though.

But I'm not re-working my list!  #SorryNotSorry

Apparently TFoG didn't strike anyone too hard except me haha. All good. Guess it'll be my personal Lulu. Hopefully my other albums aren't all Lulu's too though.

But only one finished since then. Finished writing a third and trying to arrange to record drums in the next few months then eventually find vocalists and such.

Maybe Nick is available?    We should've set you up with Sarah Teets at his wedding (if you need female vocalists)

[Adami]

Personally I'm looking for a singer that makes people think "I've heard that singer 100 times in a 1,000 bars.  Is it the guy from Panic Channel?  Might be.  How about the guy from Skid Row after Sebastian?   Might be.   Is it Russell Allen?  I don't know, might be."

[jingle.boy]

Personally I'm looking for a singer that makes people think "I've heard that singer 100 times in a 1,000 bars.  Is it the guy from Panic Channel?  Might be.  How about the guy from Skid Row after Sebastian?   Might be.   Is it Russell Allen?  I don't know, might be."

Stads might be free.

[Stadler]

Personally I'm looking for a singer that makes people think "I've heard that singer 100 times in a 1,000 bars.  Is it the guy from Panic Channel?  Might be.  How about the guy from Skid Row after Sebastian?   Might be.   Is it Russell Allen?  I don't know, might be."

Stads might be free.

I'm your guy.  I've sung in bands before.   


Is there really a woman named Sarah Teets?   That must've been a hellacious middle school era....

[twosuitsluke]

Can't imagine that Sixx:AM album would be my thing at all, but in the interest of this thread I'll give it a go.

[jingle.boy]

Personally I'm looking for a singer that makes people think "I've heard that singer 100 times in a 1,000 bars.  Is it the guy from Panic Channel?  Might be.  How about the guy from Skid Row after Sebastian?   Might be.   Is it Russell Allen?  I don't know, might be."

Stads might be free.

I'm your guy.  I've sung in bands before.   


Is there really a woman named Sarah Teets?   That must've been a hellacious middle school era....

Yes... her (voice) and her brother Jeff (guitar/writer) are the founders of the band Mindmaze* - coming soon to a countdown near you!

*which Nick played drums for at one point in a long time ago in a galaxy far away.

Can't imagine that Sixx:AM album would be my thing at all, but in the interest of this thread I'll give it a go.

Surely 4 minutes isn't terribly onerous to try the song I linked

[twosuitsluke]

Can't imagine that Sixx:AM album would be my thing at all, but in the interest of this thread I'll give it a go.

Surely 4 minutes isn't terribly onerous to try the song I linked

It's no problem, I'll try the full album. I've got time to spin it tonight.

Edit: OK just finished up. It's not bad at all, my main problem is it's just not where I'm at with musical discovery nowadays. The thing is, there are albums I love from around this time, which are quite similar. I know if I'd actually discovered this in '07 it could've become something I ended up loving, but in 2023 it's just OK.

It's obviously not a knock on it at all, and I'm sure you get where I'm coming from. If I ever get around to doing my own Top 50 thread there would be albums on there, that if I heard today for the first time, I'm sure I'd just be lukewarm on.

[King Puppies and the Acid Guppies]

Personally I'm looking for a singer that makes people think "I've heard that singer 100 times in a 1,000 bars.  Is it the guy from Panic Channel?  Might be.  How about the guy from Skid Row after Sebastian?   Might be.   Is it Russell Allen?  I don't know, might be."

Stads might be free.

I'm your guy.  I've sung in bands before.   


Is there really a woman named Sarah Teets?   That must've been a hellacious middle school era....

Yes... her (voice) and her brother Jeff (guitar/writer) are the founders of the band Mindmaze* - coming soon to a countdown near you!

*which Nick played drums for at one point in a long time ago in a galaxy far away.

Mindmaze is gooood!

Not a fan of Sixx:AM. You sent them in one of my roulettes and it was ok, just nothing that stood out to me.

[lonestar]

I thought Nick was with the early Neuromancer phase, and they upgraded before the MindMaze era.


Sarah has a killer voice though, I'll save other thoughts for when Resolve pops up on your list.

[jingle.boy]

Personally I'm looking for a singer that makes people think "I've heard that singer 100 times in a 1,000 bars.  Is it the guy from Panic Channel?  Might be.  How about the guy from Skid Row after Sebastian?   Might be.   Is it Russell Allen?  I don't know, might be."

Stads might be free.

I'm your guy.  I've sung in bands before.   


Is there really a woman named Sarah Teets?   That must've been a hellacious middle school era....

Yes... her (voice) and her brother Jeff (guitar/writer) are the founders of the band Mindmaze* - coming soon to a countdown near you!

*which Nick played drums for at one point in a long time ago in a galaxy far away.

Mindmaze is gooood!

Not a fan of Sixx:AM. You sent them in one of my roulettes and it was ok, just nothing that stood out to me.

That's a negative Ghost Rider - I've never sent Sixx:A.M. (in anyone's roulette).  I sent you Roswell Six.  Or maybe you're thinking Poison?

[TAC]

Personally I'm looking for a singer that makes people think "I've heard that singer 100 times in a 1,000 bars.  Is it the guy from Panic Channel?  Might be.  How about the guy from Skid Row after Sebastian?   Might be.   Is it Russell Allen?  I don't know, might be."

Stads might be free.

I'm your guy.  I've sung in bands before.   


Is there really a woman named Sarah Teets?   That must've been a hellacious middle school era....

Yes... her (voice) and her brother Jeff (guitar/writer) are the founders of the band Mindmaze* - coming soon to a countdown near you!

*which Nick played drums for at one point in a long time ago in a galaxy far away.

Mindmaze is gooood!

Not a fan of Sixx:AM. You sent them in one of my roulettes and it was ok, just nothing that stood out to me.

That's a negative Ghost Rider - I've never sent Sixx:A.M. (in anyone's roulette).  I sent you Roswell Six.  Or maybe you're thinking Poison?

That's a negative hoser. You sent me Sixx:AM in my final EP (which somehow turned into an album) round.

[jingle.boy]

I stand corrected, I have submitted them... and to you.

But I'm also not totally wrong, since that submission was a "concept album" showdown vs Katt/Walrus that was sent AFTER being eliminated in your v2, (and you reviewed it a year later) 

P.S.  I've never sent Sixx AM as a standalone song (that's what I was thinking) - I believe I've sent them a couple times (to Tim too?) as part of a playlist.
P.P.S.  The song I sent you was from a different album.

[Zoom E]

Just listened to that Sixx AM song and it was pretty good. i was expecting more of a sleaze rock sound, so I was pleasantly surprised.

[wolfking]

That Sixx:AM song was pretty decent for what it was.  Not my thing anymore but I could listen to that song again.  I think.....Brent?.....sent me one of their songs in a roulette which was really good but remembering the album on a whole didn't do much for me.  Unless it was you Chad...

Edit:  Nah was Brent.

[jingle.boy]

Just listened to that Sixx AM song and it was pretty good. i was expecting more of a sleaze rock sound, so I was pleasantly surprised.

Right??  That's totally what I was expecting when I came across Sixx:A.M. a few years back.  They are totally NOT what one might expect out of a band named for / founded by Nikki Sixx.

@ Kade... I think maybe Brent had pimped out the Prayers for the Blessed / Damned albums in the B&B podcasts.  I suspect that's how I caught on to them.

[jingle.boy]

Seventh Wonder - Tiara [2018]


Shit, I didn't even recognize that this was a concept album until I paid a bit more attention to it leading up to PPUSA '19.  I mean, it's a bit of an unexpected story from the band - an alien race called the Everones are unimpressed by the human race and are set to bring judgment upon them. A young girl named Tiara, the only human who can understand messages the aliens are sending is chosen to travel into space to communicate with the aliens, in an attempt to save humanity.  That storyline almost seems plagiarized a bit from a segment of Kevin Anderson's Saga of the Seven Suns - maybe it is, maybe it isn't ... doesn't matter really.  This finished 3rd as my 2018 AOTY, and I had to slide it in on this list.
It was 8 long years between SW albums, with Tommy focusing more on Kamelot, but this was a great return to form - giving him a more proggy, slightly less power/symphonic outlet.  This is very polished melodic/prog-rock with symphonic overtones and great vocals (yes, I know Seventh Wonder are often classed as prog metal, but while this is a great album, prog metal it isn't). Tommy Karevik is one of the best frontmen around, and I find he is better suited to the music and style of Seventh Wonder vs Kamelot.  After the opening seque track, the album delivers 12 incredible songs one right after another, with lots of highs, and every track 5* for my ears.  The below "fave" track is kinda out of place in the theme and style of the album as a whole, but I love it none-the-less... and fuck was it fun as hell when they performed it at PPUSA.
Fave Song - By The Light of the Funeral Pyres

[lonestar]

Hmm, never knew it was a concept album either, though I didn't pay too much attention to that. Solid album though, definitely got some air time from me, may have to do a revisit of it. Not as good as the other concept album by them though, which I assume is coming later. Pretty much anything with Tommy fronting gets a thumbs up from me though, dude can fucking sing.