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

[Niels (Mod)]

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

Kansas - Monolith.

I think, this is my favorite Kansas-album. I haven't heard them all, though. Nice to listen to this album, straight after "The Piper At The Gates Of Dawn". Good Prog-music, indeed. I can't understand the lousy review it gets on Allmusic.com?!! Listening to this album, made my day much better.

[Niels (Mod)]

Fifth and final album in the catagory 6) Listen to 5 albums featuring a female lead singer:

Heart - Heart (1985)

I haven't heard the whole album since the 80's. It's not a bad album these days. Very much an 80's album, though. I (and 100,000 other guys) had a cruch on Nancy Wilson in those days, and listening to "These Dreams" makes it all come back. "Bad Animals" was also good, and then I had had enough of "Heart". Don't really care about any albums prior to this one.

[Scott]

Your missing something very special if you've never experienced Dreamboat Annie at the very least

[Niels (Mod)]

I have heard Dreamboat Annie, and I got bored listening to it. For me, Heart is an 80's-band.

[Scott]

Monolith is a great album in the Kansas catalog, I agree that it should get more love, but best Kansas?  Not quite in agreement with you on that, but top 5 easily....

[Niels (Mod)]

Like Dreamboat Annie, I didn't really like Leftoverture and Point Of No Return, and it surprised me, since I loved most of the tracks, mostly you, Scott, have posted around here. But listening to Monolith, I again could hear, what's so great about Kansas. What's the other 2 albums in the top 5?

[Scott]

Leftoverture and Vinyl Confessions

[Niels (Mod)]

So...Leftoverture must be VERY good, since you've got it twice on your top 5, or?

[Matt Nadeau]

OK, on to the final challenge!

Listen to 5 albums featuring a female lead singer, #1:

Artist name: Phantom Blue
Album title: Built To Perform
Year recorded/released: 1993

This one could have also qualified in category #5 (guitarist Michelle Meldurm died of a cerebral hemorrhage on May 21, 2008). This is my all-time favorite all-female band! The first two tracks, "Nothing Good" and "Time To Run" are incredible. The playing throughout is top notch!

[Matt Nadeau]

Listen to 5 albums featuring a female lead singer, #2:

Artist name: Joan Jett
Album title: Bad Reputation
Year recorded/released: 1981

Joan's debut solo album (before officially adding The Blackhearts on her follow-up to this one) is a solid first effort, leaning on 50's & 60's music, glam rock & punk, all wrapped up in a neat hard rocking package. Standout tracks are her cover of Gary Glitter's "Do You Wanna Touch Me (Oh Yeah)" and the title track. Hard to believe that this album was turned down by 23 major labels in the U.S.!

[Matt Nadeau]

Listen to 5 albums featuring a female lead singer, #3:

Artist name: The Motels
Album title: All Four One
Year recorded/released: 1982

My favorite album from Martha Davis and the boys. Reviewers say she oversings on this album. No, oversinging is what takes place on a weekly basis on shite shows like American Idol or The Voice. I'll take this over ANY of that crap...any day of the week!

[Matt Nadeau]

Listen to 5 albums featuring a female lead singer, #4:

Artist name: Christine McVie
Album title: Christine McVie
Year recorded/released: 1984

Christine McVie has always been my favorite female voice in Fleetwood Mac, so I RAN to the record store to get this when it hit the shelves. Some of the tunes are a tad boring, but what I love most about this album.....no Stevie Nicks!!! Standout tracks are the single "Got A Hold On Me" and the opening cut, "Love Will Show Us How".