Albums That Tell A Story

Last night, I finally heard from the boy. It wasn't quite the conversation that I wanted. When I called him earlier, I told him about some recent changes in my life I wanted to discuss. Guess which one topic we didn't cover? But he was on a roll, and was making me laugh, so it's OK.

(Aside: My Momma thinks I forgive too much of his shortcomings. I wonder sometimes, but I prefer him more than I want to tear him apart. No one person can be everything.)

We ended up talking about albums as a whole which told a story, or were thematically strong. The one I remember that we agreed on were Ritual de lo Habitual by Jane's Addiction. I contend that Disintegration by the Cure is another. He didn't agree, but that's because it's been a while since he's listened to it in its entirety.

I agree with Ritual for a different reason than him. When that record came out in 1990, CDs were still relatively new. Most of my friends and I had CD players in the house, but still relied on cassettes for the car. In my mind, Ritual is good because the A side is more aggressive and the B side is more contemplative and reflective of loss and longing.

I think Disintegration is strong because it begins almost as an aside, a memory of another person. It then moves into more upbeat melodies but more difficult lyrics. By the last third of the album, it sounds exactly like a miserable breakup.

Do any of you have albums you think are strong when taken as a whole? We're not discussing singles here, or even mostly strong records.