CLASSIC ROCK BOTTOM MAY MUSIC CHALLENGE

[Jon]

Since the inaugural version was such a rousing success*, the power that be (there can be only one!) has decided it's time for another music challenge.

The rules are simple:

Starting 5/1/14 (that's May 1st of the year 2014 for those that have problems with numbers), you will have 31 (thirty-one) days to listen to 30 (thirty) albums. No, not just ANY albums, but a specific genre of albums.

Last November's challenge was easy. Five (5) albums each from the 60's (sixties), 70's (seventies), 80's (eighties), 90's (nineties) and 00's (umm....zeroes zeroes?). Simple. Those that completed that challenge were given to opportunity to pick a specific genre for the next challenge, which is THIS challenge. 

So, you're probably asking yourself "What are the categories, or genres, this time?" Well, we don't know yet. We're making you wait and giving you ample time to get prepared. We're like that. 

For those that complete the challenge, you'll be given the opportunity to pick a category for an upcoming challenge, just like those that completed the inaugural challenge. Yep, we're nice like that. 

You can keep a running tally of your albums in this post. The only requirements are the album title, artist and what challenge category it falls into. You can also wait to post until you're done with the challenge. Either way is perfectly fine. We're easy like that. 

All you need to do now is wait. Wait for the categories to appear below. Wait, but breathe. Always remember to breathe.   

MAY CHALLENGE

1) Listen to 5 albums from a group named after a city, state or country (from Rjhog)

COMPLETED #1: Matthew N., Jon, Scott G., Niels, Rjhog, Mike M., Noah M.

2) Listen to 5 disco and/or funk albums, soundtracks included (per Scott G.)

COMPLETED #2: Jon, Matthew N., Rjhog, Niels, Scott G., Mike M., Noah M. 

3) Listen to 5 punk and/or alternative rock albums but 2 of the 5 MUST be Punk (so says Mike)

COMPLETED #3: Rjhog, Matthew N., Jon, Niels, Scott G., Mike M., Noah M.

4) Listen to 5 NWOBHM albums from the years 1980 and/or 1981(request from Niels)

COMPLETED #4: Niels, Matthew N., Jon, Rjhog, Mike M., Scott G., Noah M.

5) Listen to 5 albums from a group where at least one band member died (courtesy Scott B.)**

COMPLETED #5: Jon, Matthew N., Rjhog, Niels, Scott G., Mike M., Noah M.

6) Listen to 5 albums featuring a female lead singer

COMPLETED #6: Rjhog, Niels, Matthew N., Jon, Mike M., Scott G., Noah M.

* with the exception of Scott, who tried to ruin the fun 

**for example, you can listen to an AC/DC album but it will need to be an album featuring Bon Scott

ONLINE COUNTDOWN CLOCKS

[Matt Nadeau]

Band named after a city, state or country #2:

Band name: Korea
Album name: Korea
Year recorded/released: 1992
Not posting any more covers....they take up too much room!

[Matt Nadeau]

Band named after a city, state or country #3:

Band name: Toronto
Album name: Lookin' For Trouble
Year recorded/released: 1980
Could have qualified under category #6 as well (band is fronted by Annie "Holly" Woods).

[Matt Nadeau]

Band named after a city, state or country #4:

Band name: Boston
Album name: Boston
Year recorded/released: 1976
I was going to go with total obscurity for this entire challenge, but some of this "generic" music is becoming a tad tedious, so I decided to go with the occasional big, well-known album.

[Matt Nadeau]

Band named after a city, state or country #5:

Band name: Houston
Album name: Bottom Of The Curve
Year recorded/released: 2003
Great indie band from Minneapolis, MN!

CATEGORY #1 COMPLETE!

[RJhog (Admin)]

Pretty good on the "off the beaten path" bands.  Boston is the only one I'm familiar with.  There is a melodic rock band named Houston too I believe.

[Niels (Mod)]

I started out in my own catagory:

First album from NWOBHM 80/81 was Raven - Rock Until You Drop. It was actually years since I last heard the whole album. Definitely best album by Raven IMHO.

[Niels (Mod)]

Second challenge:

First album from the catagory 1) Listen to 5 albums from a group named after a city, state or country (from Rjhog):

Nazareth - Rampant. (Even though I was a Nazareth-fan in the late 70's, I had never heard this album until now. I like it. Nazareth were great in the early 70's. Manny Charlton is a very underrated guitarist.

[Niels (Mod)]

Third challenge:

Second album in my own catagory:

Tygers Of Pan Tang - Crazy Nights from 1981. Again an album, that I hadn't heard for decades.

[Niels (Mod)]

First album in the 3) Listen to 5 punk and/or alternative rock albums but 2 of the 5 MUST be Punk (so says Mike):

Sex Pistols - Never Mind The Bullocks. This was the first Punk-album, I ever heard (in 1977). It may not be the best Punk-album ever, but I think it is. It has 3 very good tracks "God Save The Queen", "Pretty Vacant" and especially "Anarchy In The UK". It's the only REALLY Punk-album, that I own (I don't consider "London Calling" by Clash for Punk). Johnny Rotten and Sid Vicious were the ultimate punks IMHO.

[Matt Nadeau]

I think both Never Mind The Bollocks and London Calling are two of the best punk albums ever made. I know The Clash kind of strays a bit from the normal roots-punks of the Sex Pistols-type of song structure, venturing into things like reggae, even.....but I consider both to be seminal punk albums.

[RJhog (Admin)]

Good, cause London Calling is on my list.  My punk and alternative collection is quite weak.

[Jon]

I have a feeling most are saving that category for last....