10 Greatest Concept Albums In Rock Music History

Part of the appeal of the rock opera is just how the listener gets to look into someone else's head. Since all you have is the music to work with, you're getting a complete story with different characters that are a reflection of what the singer is trying to tell you. Though there's a sense of drama on every concept album, there is absolutely nothing to joke about on the Downward Spiral.

After having gone through the touring life of Pretty Hate Machine, Trent Reznor was becoming more desensitized by the minute and made this record as a display of everything ugly in his soul. Following the tale of someone named Mr. Self Destruct, we see this guy tear himself to pieces in some respects, either trying to find solace in carnal love on Closer or eventually trying to commit suicide near the halfway point of the record.

When Reznor was finally finished with the record, he even went so far as apologize to his label for making it, thinking that there was no way it would take off because of how vulgar it was. It did find its audience though, with many kids relating to that kind of darkness and finding a bit of comfort in knowing that someone was going through the same thing. In some respects, this album almost feels like a friend...a delightfully disturbing friend.