Just so we’re clear, a rock opera, for those that don’t know, is really more of a collection of songs that have lyrics relating to a common story. It’s the type of album that’s not scripted for acting but instead has been designed to tell a tale. So what this means is that a rock opera has very little to do with actual opera, though there are some of them that have been adapted into musicals that people have thoroughly enjoyed. As a storytelling device a lot of these operas have used character roles within the lyrics to make it sound even more convincing and give the listener a better idea of what’s going on and what’s being described. It’s been a style that has inspired other works as well, but rest assured, productions such as The Phantom of the Opera are not nearly the same since the term ‘rock opera’ is used in a very different way than some folks might want to think. With that being said, we can proceed.
Here are a few of the best rock operas ever created.
5. Meatloaf-Bat Out of Hell
Opinions kind of vary on this one since a lot of people like Meatloaf and a lot of people can’t really stand him. But it does sound as though this album got a lot of negative criticism when it was still in the process and might never have seen the light of day if not for the persistence of those making it. Plus the whole angle of a bat out of hell was kind of offensive to some people, go figure, and to this day some folks roll their eyes when they think of it. But then again, there’s not a lot that has ever failed to offend someone, somewhere, it’s just that this day and age people seem to notice it a lot more since people need to invent something to gripe about.
4. Green Day-American Idiot
Green Day is one of those bands that has had a pretty strong message throughout their entire run and have been pushing it harder and harder with each new album. Some folks listen to them just for the fun of it and because they like the music and don’t think twice about the lyrics, but others tend to take them to heart. It all depends on what perception you use supposedly and in the eyes of many they’re revolutionaries in their own way and are bringing it loud and proud to the people that listen to them. Personally I think they’re a great band and have an awesome sound that has become highly developed over the years.
3. Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Weber-Jesus Christ Superstar
Some folks really don’t know how to take this one since it’s been seen to be quite popular and yet there are still a lot of people that haven’t seen it for one reason or another. There’s not a lot you could say that’s really wrong with it, there’s no reason that it can’t be enjoyed by many, but some people’s hangups are hard to figure out, especially when it comes to music. One thing is quite certain though, it’s been a very popular subject throughout the years and has been given a lot of different representations by many that think that they’re able to put a new spin on it somehow or can possibly do it better.
2. Pink Floyd-The Wall
There are songs that are great and then there are songs that are just classics because, well, the bands have a huge fan base that are unflaggingly loyal and will listen to just about anything they release, and because those same bands come up with tracks and an overall story that grips the listener and makes them want to stick around for more. Pink Floyd has seen their popularity rise and fall throughout the years but thankfully it’s never gone away since many upon many people have been turned on to their music throughout the years in one manner or another. It’s enough to say that they’re likely to see the next few decades, or at least their songs will, might still find a few more converts within the crowd.
1. The Who-Tommy
As you can already guess this entire album is about Tommy and how he uses the only senses left to him to figure out the world around him. This was The Who’s fourth album and it became one of their absolute best since it told a compelling story about a young man that had been limited in a way that a lot of people might think is horrific but is somehow conveyed through the story as a means of experiencing things in a very different light. Needless to say The Who kind of hit a home run with this one.
Rock operas are kind of fun to listen to really since the stories are usually pretty interesting.
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