The concept album is a staple of rock ‘n’ roll, unified by a theme, which can be instrumental, compositional, narrative, or lyrical. Though the concept album predates rock ‘n’ roll (Woody Guthrie’s “Dust Bowl Ballads,” or Frank Sinatra’s “In the Wee Small Hours”), it came to the fore in rock music.

The earliest examples include the Ventures’ “Colorful Ventures” (each song title had a color), and Frank Zappa’s “Freak Out!,” a satire on rock music and American society. But it became a real staple when the Beatles issued “Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band” and was reinforced with the Who’s “Tommy.” Other uber-classics include Jethro Tull’s “Thick as a Brick” and Pink Floyd’s “The Wall.”

Destined to go down in history along side these mega-classics is Shooter Jennings’ new album, “Black Ribbons.” Jennings, the son of outlaw country superstar Waylon Jennings, has thrown off all remnants of his country upbringing and made the greatest concept album of the decade.

The premise involves a narrative by a fictional “hippie philosopher” DJ who calls himself “Will O’The Wisp,” who is showcasing the fictional band “Hierophant” for his final broadcast, as the government is to take over all public radio airwaves for their own programming at the end of his show, thus marking the end of free speech as we know it.

The message is powerful and relevant, and the music is moving and memorable. It is rock music, and very well-written rock, using recognizable affectations, such as a rhythmic cadence, or a familiar backwards guitar riff, very tastefully and sparingly, to simulate the feeling of familiar classic rock. The narrative is engaging, the message is clear, and the music speaks for itself.

“Black Ribbons” is an instant classic, and quite possibly the best album released so far in this century.

Check out Shooter Jennings, along with Corey Smith and the Benjy Davis Project, at the Lake Martin Amphitheatre on Sept. 5.

Hear Wildman Steve’s Internet radio station, Internet radio for music lovers 24/7, at www.wildmansteve.com.