Best Album Concept Hour Podcasts (2024)

1
Pink Floyd - Atom Heart Mother 1:19:04

9d ago1:19:04

1:19:04

Soooo... Last week we were glazing pretty hard about our boys in The Pink Floyd... but this week... the glazing has come to a hard stop. Maybe it's the weird production choices, maybe it's the awesome album cover for a below average Floyd album, maybe it's the fact that we JUST listened to Meddle, in which they perfect what they were trying to acco…

1
Pink Floyd - Meddle 1:14:19

16d ago1:14:19

1:14:19

We're officially in the throes of SEASON 5!!! And you know that means that it's time to talk about another Pink Floyd album in our series going backwards through their discography. Last time we left our heroes, they were throwing together an album that was for a movie, but also wasn't? (i don't remember that feels like a lifetime ago). However, bef…

1
Inspector 34 - Squint Your Ears (w/ Jimm, Alex, and Pat from Inspector 34!) 2:26:10

1M ago2:26:10

2:26:10

Everyone that listens to this podcast knows that I ride for Inspector 34. Their debut album, Love My Life was my album of the year when it came out and this is proving to be one of my favorites this year. Seriously, these guys are critically underrated and they deserve to be in your earholes. Also, this ep is fun if you enjoy musicians actually dis…

1
The 200th Episode! - Ranking Concept Albums (feat. TierMaker) 3:17:21

1M ago3:17:21

3:17:21

We've been doing the podcast for almost 5 years and in that time we've discussed all variety of concept albums. We've discussed brilliantly crafted social commentaries, deeply personal tragedies, space oddities, and brat reinventions. We've followed the rise of King Crimson and the fall of Pink Floyd, the tragedy of Janice Joplin and the triumph of…

1
The Mars Volta - Frances the Mute (with Gus, Dan, and Stephen from The Bitter Ends!!!) 1:49:53

2M ago1:49:53

1:49:53

We have Rockford, IL's own The Bitter Ends and we're wrapping up 199 episodes of the podcast (before starting fresh on 200) with truly one of the greatest concepts to grace this podcast, Frances the Mute! From the beautiful, but tragic story, to the inspiration that created it, to the scorching riffs and prog trumpets (to the decoded version of the…

1
Arcade Fire - The Suburbs 2:05:28

3M ago2:05:28

2:05:28

I had a really awesome description for this episode but Spotify's new uploader deleted everything. I don't know exactly what I said but it was moving and concise. You have to believe me... Links: The Suburbs short film by Spike Jonze: https://vimeo.com/58296738?share=copy --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/albumconcep…

1
Usher - Confessions 1:16:17

3M ago1:16:17

1:16:17

In his most personal album yet, Usher took his rocket blasting into the stars and poured some nas in the tank. This album put him on the map for good and solidified him as our generation's R Kelly (without all the weird pdfile/pee stuff). This is the kind of thing that Millenials were bumping and grinding to, and for good reason. Listen along with …

1
Kendrick Lamar - Good Kid, M.A.A.D City (with Trevor "The Altered Beast" Kolden returning) 2:09:35

4M ago2:09:35

2:09:35

We've raved over DAMN. We dick-rided To Pimp a Butterfly. Now it's time to really glaze, because it is the summer of "Not Like Us" and we're going back to long before the beef began. It's time for the origin story for Drake v Kendrick with the album that put them together in a track, Good Kid, M.A.A.D City. Before Kendrick turned into the literal B…

1
Charli XCX - brat 1:50:02

4M ago1:50:02

1:50:02

Move over Swifties, it's time for brat girl summer. OUR DISCORD: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://discord.gg/2stA2P7pTC⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/flyoverstatepark⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠EVERYTHING ELSE: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://linktr.ee/FlyoverStatePark⁠⁠⁠⁠ --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/albumconcepthour/support…

1
Woody Guthrie - Dust Bowl Ballads 1:13:46

5M ago1:13:46

1:13:46

We're 194 episodes into this show and as we draw closer to the 200th, we thought we'd get to the ACTUAL first concept album (by most accounts): Woody Guthrie's 1940 song collection called Dust Bowl Ballads. This collection came out in 2-three disc 78 rpm records with one song per side. With autobiographical elements as well as story elements of Joh…

1
King Crimson - Discipline (w/ Adam Elk!) 1:26:56

5M ago1:26:56

1:26:56

In 1974, in the wake of the release of their magnum opus, Red, Robert Fripp made the decree "King Crimson is completely over. For ever and ever." And he meant it... for a time. For the next few years, he left the music industry completely to focus on himself and his spirituality, but he wouldn't be out for long. In the late 70s into 1980, Fripp was…

1
Daft Punk - Discovery (w/ Derick McDuff!!!) 1:53:44

5M ago1:53:44

1:53:44

On September 9th, 1999 (or 9-9-99), Thomas Bangalter and and Guy-Manuel de Homem-Christo became robots. After a night of working on a track, their sampler crashed and exploded. After some quick surgery to treat their injuries, they came out as robots. After realizing their track had been erased from the incident, they started to toil away on "Disco…

1
Alice In Chains - Dirt (w/ Lunar Moth!!!) 2:13:50

6M ago2:13:50

2:13:50

Alrighty y'all, this episode is going to get DARK. We've talked about heroin as a subject matter in many songs for many bands, but today we get INTO it. Coming from an era glorifying the sex, drugs, and rock and roll style, Alice in Chains and their grunge cohorts recontextualized the lifestyle to be more of a cautionary tale than something to aspi…

1
Erykah Badu - New Amerykah Pt. 2 (Return of the Ankh) 1:24:12

6M ago1:24:12

1:24:12

Last time on the pod we discussed Erykah's left brain album and today we have it's counterpart in her right brain album, New Amerykah Pt. 2, that arrived two years after New Amerykah Pt. 1. While it continues to have mixes from some of the best underground producers in the game, this one gets a little more personal. In "Return of the Ankh", she dis…

1
Erykah Badu - New Amerykah Pt. 1 (4th World War) 1:29:09

7M ago1:29:09

1:29:09

Today we're talking about none other than the First Lady of Neo Soul. If you've ever wondered how hip hop of the 2010s got so groovy, look no further than New Amerykah. With her eclectic style and taste in music, she brings us everything from 70s funk to 90s R&B and everything in-between. After a several year hiatus due to writer's block, Erykah, w…

1
Scott Pilgrim Vs The World Soundtrack (w/ The Stinkeyes!!!) 2:04:00

7M ago2:04:00

2:04:00

What if Scott Pilgrim's garage rock band Sex Bob-Omb was real...? Well, it might sound like our guests for this episode, The Stinkeyes!!! What if we had that band on our podcast??? Fortunately for you we do! Today we're joined by Emily, Jordan, and Haley from The Stinkeyes to discuss an incredibly influential cult classic, Scott Pilgrim Vs The Worl…

1
Megadeth - Killing is my Business... and Business is Good - The Final Kill (w/ Nate Maney) 1:39:51

8M ago1:39:51

1:39:51

Today, the concept... is revenge. Not just any revenge. A revenge that would go on to define the entire Thrash Metal genre. It's Dave Mustaine versus Metallica... Part ONE: Megadeth. With friend and Megadeth superfan, Nate Maney Megadeth "Behind the Music": ⁠⁠https://youtu.be/R3l4kZk2GXc?si=iBcP7FFCx8xfP1HY Icons: Dave Mustaine of Megadeth: https:/…

1
Beastie Boys - Paul's Boutique (w/ Moses Wolfenstein!) 2:22:33

8M ago2:22:33

2:22:33

100 - 300 samples. That's how many songs, give or take, that went into the production of Beastie Boys' sophomore opus, "Paul's Boutique". After getting run through the music industry, sold as frat rap, and having a less than fly time in New York after their brush with success. After a few years, they escaped New York, saved by The Dust Brothers out…

1
Hole - Live Through This (w/ Emily Mills and Meghan Rose of Damsel Trash!!!) 2:11:46

8M ago2:11:46

2:11:46

Courtney Love. A woman plagued by tragedy and misogyny, tabloid and conspiracy. She has been called a lot things over the years, some by friends, many by the media. She has had beefs with the likes of Trent Reznor, Billy Corgan, Gwen Stefani, and Tori Amos, to name a few. However, one thing is certain. She is a force to be reckoned with. Today we'r…

1
S3 Ep.2 - Beyoncé "Lemonade" 1:48:41

9M ago1:48:41

1:48:41

“You can taste the dishonesty It’s all over your breath…” These are the initiatory lyrics with which Beyonce begins her 2016 album, “Lemonade.” An album that takes the listener on a mixed genre journey of betrayal and self-reflection, exploring the intimacy of relationship through the lenses of racial context and generational trauma. This album too…

1
Tony Hawk Pro Skater 1 Soundtrack (w/ Robert Persinger AKA The Drop King) 1:31:20

9M ago1:31:20

1:31:20

Today we talk about the GOAT of sports video games. In 1999, a man by the name of Hawk cashed in all of his clout for one game that would change the landscape of games forever... and its music. We're talking about the soundtrack that introduced a generation to bands like Dead Kennedys, Primus, The Vandals, and Goldfinger, to name a few. This soundt…

1
Frank Zappa - Joe's Garage Acts II & III 1:14:49

9M ago1:14:49

1:14:49

From music becoming illegal to sexual expression becoming illegal, Joe has quite the dystopian adventure. After plooking Sy Borg too hard, he ends up in jail and is forced to create music in his own mind to save himself from becoming a drone for this new "orderly" society. "The White Zone is for loading and unloading only. If you have load or unloa…

1
Frank Zappa - Joe's Garage Act I (w/ Jon's coworker Nick!!!) 1:11:00

9M ago1:11:00

1:11:00

"Our criminal institutions are full of little creeps like you Who do wrong things And many of them were driven to these crimes By a horrible force called MUSIC! Our studies have shown that this horrible force Is so dangerous to society at large That laws are being drawn up at this very moment To stop it - forever! Cruel and inhuman punishments are …

1
Lords of the Trident - The Offering (w/ Fang VonWrathenstein AKA Ty Christian from Lords of the Trident!!!) 1:54:04

10M ago1:54:04

1:54:04

From deep in the depths of Madison, comes a frontman. A frontman of untold power and an unrelenting voice. He has slain wolves and man alike and now he's here to... well now he's here to have a very chill and normal conversation about their newest album "The Offering"!!! Join us and Fang VonWrathenstein (or Ty Christian for the normies) as he tells…

1
NOFX - 45 or 46 Songs That Weren't Good Enough to Go on Our Other Records (w/ Dan from All New, All Different, Number One Comics!) 2:24:50

10M ago2:24:50

2:24:50

We're back at it again with a another absolutely stuffed Fat Wreck Chords compilation, but this time, we have only one contributor: NOFX!! We discuss all 47 tracks in one action packed podcast episode and you're not going to want to miss it!!!! And of course, we could not have done this without DAN from ALL NEW, ALL DIFFERENT, NUMBER ONE COMICS!!!!…

1
S3 Ep.1 Queensrÿche "Operation: mindcrime" 1:38:33

11M ago1:38:33

1:38:33

“I remember now…” It is this thought that opens and catapults us into the mind and memories of Nikki, a young man contending with drug addiction and his dissatisfaction with the unscrupulous social and political climate of his time. In his anger and frustration, Nikki is lured into becoming an assassin for an underground revolution, and eventually …

1
Christmas Novelty Songs (w/ Andy Merrill Returning!!!) 2:29:51

11M ago2:29:51

2:29:51

We have a very special Christmas gift for you this year... Not only is it the return of Andy Merrill AKA Brak and other things--it's a Christmas Novelty Song celebration!!! Andy is one of the biggest fans of novelty music around and he has brought some classics to the table, including the likes of Allan Sherman, Stan Freburg, Tom Lehrer, and even s…

1
Guante and Big Cats - An Unwelcome Guest 1:26:20

11M ago1:26:20

1:26:20

Ok, so it's Brad... back from LA... Jumbo's Fun Room didn't work out and now I'm in the doghouse... Jon and Dave picked the album after they found out that I was coming back as host, so... you can only guess who the unwelcome guest is... Anyway, this is a really cool hip hop zombie apocalypse album by an amazing team in the twin cities. Hope you en…

1
The Who Sell Out (w/ Sam Bronn and a surprise guest!) 1:39:23

12M ago1:39:23

1:39:23

What's up everyone it's Nate here with our first episode of "The Concept", a rebranding of The Album Concept Hour, now with more personality and introducing our new correspondent Sam Bronn! Brad left us high and dry by staying out in LA, so now I can finally really start to clean up this disaster that he created. In keeping with the spirit of the a…

1
King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard - Eyes Like the Sky (w/ Brad, Gus, Jimm, Seth, and Bard!!!) 1:56:06

1y ago1:56:06

1:56:06

After 4 years of doing the podcast, Brad has finally hit the big time. That's right, he's out making a star out of himself in LA, Hollywood, California... or... at least that's what he keeps telling me. It's me, Nate Maney, the new host of the podcast... How's it goin? Anyway, I keep getting the sense that he's in some sort of trouble out west, but…

1
Novelty Halloween Songs (feat. Hot Blood - Disco Dracula) 1:17:58

1y ago1:17:58

1:17:58

You've heard of the Monster Mash. You've seen Nightmare Before Christmas 1000 times. Your parents forced you to watch the "Thriller" music video. These are things we expect every Halloween. And like clockwork, every year they come back into the spotlight. Every year, the same playlist of the same Halloween songs and tropes. BUT NO MORE!! We've put …

1
Macabre - Dahmer (w/ Nate Maney!) 1:45:43

1y ago1:45:43

1:45:43

Netflix: We're going to make a tasteless dramatization of a serial killer with no regard to the surviving family members of the victims. Macabre: Hold my beer. Links: Nate's YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Grymgar OUR DISCORD: https://discord.gg/2stA2P7pTC Flyover State Hotline - 1 608 HIT-NERD (608-448-6373) https://www.youtube.com/flyoverstatep…

1
Songs Under 3 Minutes 30:29

1y ago30:29

30:29

Hosts Erin and Jacob stuck to the theme this week and made a short episode all about short songs! As you may know, Jacob has been detesting the trend of songs getting shorter and shorter over the years. Erin thought the only medicine for this would be to spend 30 minutes celebrating short songs, intros, and interludes. Did it work? Only time will t…

1
King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard - Petrodragonic Apocalypse; or Dawn of Eternal Night: An Annihilation of Planet Earth and the Beginning of Eternal Damnation (w/ Johnny aka @NicheMusicMemes!!!) 1:33:54

1y ago1:33:54

1:33:54

Mars: Superbug ravages the population. People goin nuts out there. Venus: One crew flies into it and explodes. Other lands on and proceeds to self-immolate. People goin nuts out there. Meanwhile, on Earth: Spirit of fossil fuel enacts revenge on the world via super storm that turns into super MEGA storm. People goin nuts out there, witchcraft. Spir…

1
S2 Ep.8 - Reflections and the Future 57:56

1y ago57:56

57:56

Season 2 has been an eclectic mixture of concept albums! In keeping with the form of season 1, episode 8 is again a time for contemplation. And so in this episode, Rob and Joël reflect on the inspiration and insights that have come from their most diverse season yet: Kate Bush, Sinatra, Iron Maiden, Deltron 3030, Miles Davis, King's X and Tyler the…

1
Songs That Spell Out Words 47:22

1y ago47:22

47:22

It's E-R-I-N and J-A-C-O-B back again and ready to teach the kids how to spell! This topic might have been a bit harder than expected, but some amazing classics showed up. Along the way they consider whether a certain song is the new R-E-S-P-E-C-T. Check out Erin's latest project "⁠⁠Tarot Heroes⁠⁠" to learn more about Tarot! Artists mentioned: Ferg…

1
Corb Lund - Horse Soldier! Horse Soldier! (w/ Kelly from the Born Under Punchs podcast!!!) 2:11:02

1y ago2:11:02

2:11:02

So I didn't mean to release an episode largely about the plight of soldiers on 9/11... but today we have an album that is about just that! Well, specifically, HORSE soldiers... We're talking about Corb Lund's love letter to the profession, Horse Soldier! Horse Soldier! He's an Alberta boy that has a Texas spirit, coming from a line of country folk …

1
90s Dance Anthems 52:04

1y ago52:04

52:04

Hosts Erin and Jacob are back for another season of creating their top 5 best songs for ridiculous topics! In this episode it's all about the music that moved us to dance in the 90s. Whether you were there on the dancefloor or just listening from your car, these songs were everywhere! Check out Erin's latest project "⁠Tarot Heroes⁠" to learn more a…

1
The Olivia Tremor Control - Music from the Unrealized Film Script- Dusk at Cubist Castle (w/ CB Stockfleth, director from The Elephant 6 Recording Company documentary, a Realized Film) 2:15:08

1y ago2:15:08

2:15:08

Today we have a very special treat for you guys. We had the opportunity to talk to CB Stockfleth, the director of The Elephant 6 Recording Company, the most highly anticipated music documentary by any indie music lover of the 90s and on. He shares with us the origin story of the documentary--from Robert Schneider believing in him to tell their stor…

1
Against Me - Transgender Dysphoria Blues (w/ Siobhan from Have a Nice Apodcalypse!!!) 1:08:39

1y ago1:08:39

1:08:39

Laura Jane Grace originally pitched the concept for Transgender Dysphoria Blues as a fictional account of the experiences of a transgendered prostitute dealing with the various aspects of addiction and gender dysphoria. However, this was more than just a fictional tale to help her write, it was a way for her to start coming out as a trans person. W…

1
S2 Ep.7 - Tyler, the Creator "IGOR" 1:49:52

1y ago1:49:52

1:49:52

What does one do with unrequited love? Get angry, get even, or get depressed? How about learn from Tyler, the Creator and create! In this episode, Rob and Joël discuss Tyler, the Creator's 2019 concept album "IGOR." The conversation explores Tyler's rich palette and manipulation of vocals, samples, synths and beats - a combination which expresses T…

1
Armor for Sleep - What to Do When You Are Dead (w/ Dan from All New, All Different Number One Comics!) 1:24:35

1+ y ago1:24:35

1:24:35

Excerpts from a comprehensive guide to your afterlife: "Stay aware of your surroundings at all times... you will not feel the urge to sleep and you will never dream." (Your Surroundings, fig. 2) "Do not revel in regret. Attempt to find your previous place of residence" (Recognizing Your Past, fig. 3) "Do not hold onto memories of life. They will be…

1
The Turtles - Presents the Battle of the Bands 1:23:26

1+ y ago1:23:26

1:23:26

I know this album isn't incredibly popular, but it IS an amazing concept album. But I don't need to convince you because it's already got the seal of approval from the likes of Beastie Boys, De La Soul, and Ice Cube, to name a few. This is a band that created one of the greatest sunshine pop hits of the time, "Happy Together", and had the gall to j…

1
S2 Ep.6 - King's X "Gretchen Goes to Nebraska" 1:40:37

1+ y ago1:40:37

1:40:37

The late 80's were a uniquely rich period for hard rock in the United States. There were strong existing scenes on both coasts and many regional hotspots where the bands were incubating and developing in small groups and pockets. But no one could have predicted the emergence of King’s X as they burst out alone in the middle of the country with a si…

1
The Seatbelts (feat. Yoko Kanno) - Cowboy Bebop OST #1 (w/ Robert Persinger from the Flagrant family!) 1:47:08

1+ y ago1:47:08

1:47:08

Let all go back to the year 2001. It's early September, and you're in that awkward stage of your life when you don't know who you are or what you like. Soon something happens that will change everything. From some far away land, something arrives in the United States that will rock it's very foundation... with an impact that we still feel a generat…

1
Beach Boys - Holland (w/ Jimm Warren returning!) 2:00:10

1+ y ago2:00:10

2:00:10

In 1973, the Beach Boys went to Holland to write a new album... These are their stories... ep links: Cartoon Show Episode #3: https://youtu.be/8MlyeErBbDA Beach Boys Lost/Unreleased Tracks playlist: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLUcZD_8LFHAulNI2Kt0fFUd5v4MBEOZT7 MST3K - Mr B. Natural: https://youtu.be/cAKentKiGOY OUR DISCORD: https://discord.g…

1
S2 Ep.5 - Miles Davis "Bitches Brew" 1:29:58

1+ y ago1:29:58

1:29:58

Released in 1970, Miles Davis' "Bitches Brew" would become a unique album in the jazz canon, not only for its improvisational explorations, but also for the timbral and textural doors it opened in instrumentation and in the use of studio as instrument. In their conversation, Rob and Joël discuss how the album came into their awareness and the influ…

1
Shakira Special (Extended Version) with Shakipedia Pod 2:09:11

1+ y ago2:09:11

2:09:11

Throwback episode time! In this special extended version of our Shakira special from last year, we welcome Cally and Sam from the Shakipedia podcast to rate the best Shaki songs. Now featuring more gossip or "chismecito" and stories! Follow Shakipedia Podcast: Twitter: @shakipediapod Instagram: @shakipediapod. Listen to them wherever you get your p…

1
Amy Winehouse - Back to Black (w/ Ashley Coffin!!!) 1:49:58

1+ y ago1:49:58

1:49:58

This one is for Mel. I think her and Amy Winehouse would have been friends if they had ever met. Both legends gone too soon. ep links: Mel's episode about BTS: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/albumconcepthour/episodes/BTS---Love-Yourself-HER-w-Mel-LeBaron-emigs7 Ashley Coffin's HORROR podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/2RVks2bpnf5Ogb9je…

1
Now That's What I Call Music Vol. 1-10 57:15

1+ y ago57:15

57:15

Hosts Erin and Jacob go back in time to discover some of the incredible songs that are part of the US version of the Now That's What I Call Music compilation disc series. They talk about some songs that bring back some old memories, their history with this disc series, and the memorable commercials. Check out Erin's latest project "Tarot Heroes" to…

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