10 Concept Albums That Make Absolutely No Sense
1. Kilroy Was Here - Styx
From day one, many Styx albums have gotten a bit of a scolding from critics for being unfocused. Ever since the classic lineup of these prog rockers got the ball rolling with albums like The Grand Illusion, the gelling of Tommy Shaw's and Dennis DeYoung's writing styles never really amounted to anything more than just great songs standing awkwardly close to one another. While it's fine to keep your concept open, it doesn't help when you start to play up your more extravagant side.
Going into production for Kilroy Was Here, Dennis DeYoung was looking to make the most daring musical piece he had ever attempted, with Tommy Shaw and JY Young writing to what they thought the concept was. Set in a dystopian future, most of the album was meant to follow the titular Kilroy as he makes his way through a world where rock and roll is banned.
Aside from the opening Mr. Roboto though, the concept is chucked out the window with Don't Let It End, which delves into ballad territory that has nothing to do with the story. From there, only a handful of other tracks try to build the momentum again, with most of the other songs feeling like they could have been featured on any other Styx record. Along with the neo-musical theater tour that they tried to do along with the story, Kilroy Was Here is a mess of rock and roll that signaled the end for Styx going forward.