The return of the concept album
By Todd Martens, Times Staff Writer
Artist:
My Chemical Romance
Album
The Black Parade
Concept:
The emo rockers went all Broadway on last years The Black Parade, a song-cycle about a hospital patient dying of cancer (those crazy rock n roll kids and their obsession with life-threatening illnesses). Its part Queen, part Smashing Pumpkins and one of the weirdest mainstream rock records in recent history. (Kevin Winter / Getty Images)
Artist:
Nine Inch Nails
Album
Year Zero
Concept:
Year Zero presents a vision of the future thats a slightly exaggerated view of the present, inspired by the war in Iraq and the current presidential regime. Its more challenging, notion, however, is whether industrial music can maintain its relevancy. (Richard Hartog / LAT)
