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]

Listen to 5 albums from a group where at least one band member died, #3:

Artist name: The Cars
Album title: Candy-O
Year recorded/released: 1979 (Ben Orr died of pancreatic cancer on October 3, 2000)

Could have went with their debut album here, too, but Candy-O has always been my favorite, because it contains my favorite Cars song, "It's All I Can Do". Ric Ocasek might have been the band's leader, but Ben Orr was the one making the whole thing go, in my opinion. RIP Ben!

[Matt Nadeau]

Listen to 5 albums from a group where at least one band member died, #4:

Artist name: The Beatles
Album title: Meet The Beatles
Year recorded/released: 1964 (John Lennon was murdered on December 8, 1980 and George Harrison died of lung cancer on November 29, 2001)

Their second American release (Introducing The Beatles on the Vee Jay label beat this one to market by a mere 10 days) and first official release on Capitol. What can you say? Quite possibly the greatest group ever! I know a lot of people give the bigger nod to their UK releases, but this album and the one on Vee Jay were my introduction to the band (thanks to my mom, who was a huge Beatle fan!).....I love both albums almost equally, but I played this one more than the other one. Love George's singing on "Don't Bother Me" and the vocal harmonies on "This Boy". Too many high points to mention! RIP John & George!!

[Jon]

You forgot that Paul is also dead.

[Matt Nadeau]

Must be true, it has its own Wikipedia article!

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paul_is_dead

[Matt Nadeau]

Here's the link to one of the original interviews with Derek Taylor, the Beatles P.R. guy, on WKNR-FM in Detroit, where a lot of this rumor got a lot of its legs....

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MsYJyJLCfxs

[Matt Nadeau]

Listen to 5 albums from a group where at least one band member died, #5:

Artist name: Led Zeppelin
Album title: Led Zeppelin II
Year recorded/released: 1969 (John Bonham died of asphyxiation due to alcohol poisoning on September 25, 1980)

What the Beatles did for pop and straight ahead rock, Led Zeppelin did for hard rock and metal. Lots of people would probably point to Led Zeppelin IV as their best work, but I've always liked the album I've always called "The Brown Bomber"...lol. Besides, Bonham's drum-centric track, "Moby Dick", makes its appearance here, so it automatically gets bonus points for that alone! "Whole Lotta Love" and "Heartbreaker/Living Loving Maid" are outstanding. RIP John!

CHALLENGE #5 COMPLETE!

[Jon]

Listen to 5 punk and/or alternative rock albums but 2 of the 5 MUST be Punk

1. The Clash--The Singles

2. Jane's Addiction--Nothing's Shocking

3. Tonic--Lemon Parade

4. The Offspring--Americana

Listen to 5 punk and/or alternative rock albums but 2 of the 5 MUST be Punk

1. The Clash--The Singles

2. Jane's Addiction--Nothing's Shocking

3. Tonic--Lemon Parade

4. The Offspring--Americana

Listen to 5 punk and/or alternative rock albums but 2 of the 5 MUST be Punk

1. The Clash--The Singles

2. Jane's Addiction--Nothing's Shocking

3. Tonic--Lemon Parade

4. The Offspring--Americana

Listen to 5 punk and/or alternative rock albums but 2 of the 5 MUST be Punk

1. The Clash--The Singles

2. Jane's Addiction--Nothing's Shocking

3. Tonic--Lemon Parade

4. The Offspring--Americana

[Jon]

.

[Jon]

Listen to 5 punk and/or alternative rock albums but 2 of the 5 MUST be Punk

1. The Clash--The Singles

2. Jane's Addiction--Nothing's Shocking

3. Tonic--Lemon Parade

4. The Offspring--Americana

5. Everclear--Songs From An American Movie Vol. Two: Good Time For A Bad Attitude

[Niels (Mod)]

Third album in the catagory "...at least one bandmember died":

Pink Floyd - The Piper At The Gates Of Dawn.

Never really liked this album. Best tracks, that Syd Barret wrote were "Arnold Layne" and "See Emily Play", and neither are on the debut-album, yeah well, I think that "See Emily Play" was on the US-version, but that don't do me any good, does it?! Hippie-crap!!

[Jon]

You could have listened to any PF album actually.

[Niels (Mod)]

I know, I know, but I like this challenge-game, so I challenge myself a bit too :-)