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

[Jon]

That was a L/F pick a couple years ago, http://classic-rock-bottom.ning.com/forum/topics/lost-forgotten-alb...

[Niels (Mod)]

Oh yeah, I remember that now. Especially the picture.

[Jon]

Phoebe!

[Matt Nadeau]

On to category #4!

Listen to 5 NWOBHM albums from the years 1980 and/or 1981, #1:

Artist name: Girlschool
Album title: Demolition
Year recorded/released: 1980

As Niels said, this could also qualify under category #5 (Kelly Johnson passed away in 2007 after battling spinal cancer for 6 years) and category #6 (an all-female band definitely features a female lead singer...lol). Their first 3 albums (this one, Hit and Run, & Screaming Blue Murder) were all pretty good, but Demolition is my favorite.

[Matt Nadeau]

Listen to 5 NWOBHM albums from the years 1980 and/or 1981, #2:

Artist name: Praying Mantis
Album title: Time Tells No Lies
Year recorded/released: 1981

One of the more melodic-minded bands coming from the NWOBHM. "Cheated" is a good song, and there are other good moments on here as well ("Running For Tomorrow" & "Rich City Kids" are two of them).

[Matt Nadeau]

Listen to 5 NWOBHM albums from the years 1980 and/or 1981, #3:

Artist name: Saxon
Album title: Denim And Leather
Year recorded/released: 1981

One of my favorites to come out of the NWOBHM. Saw them open for Motley Crue on the Shout At The Devil tour.....great band, great show! "Princess Of The Night" and the title track are both classics!!

[Matt Nadeau]

Listen to 5 NWOBHM albums from the years 1980 and/or 1981, #4:

Artist name: Girl
Album title: Sheer Greed
Year recorded/released: 1980

Can't be all bad when your lead guitarist (Phil Collen) and your lead singer (Phillip Lewis) end up in Def Leppard and L.A. Guns, respectively. A solid debut album...."Hollywood Tease" and "Heartbreak America" are two of my favorites from this one.

[Matt Nadeau]

Listen to 5 NWOBHM albums from the years 1980 and/or 1981, #5:

Artist name: Motorhead
Album title: Ace Of Spades
Year recorded/released: 1980

The perfect marriage of punk and metal. My favorite Motorhead album of all time!

CHALLENGE #4 COMPLETE!

[Niels (Mod)]

Third album in the catagory "...punk..":

The Damned - Damned Damned Damned (1977)

Another PUNK-band/album from where it was happening in '76/'77. From wikipedea:

"Though the Sex Pistols became the most publicized of all the original London punk groups, forming and playing before everyone else, the Damned actually ended up scoring most of the firsts on its own, notably the first U.K. punk single -- "New Rose" -- in 1976 and the first album, Damned Damned Damned, the following year."

I prefer Sex Pistols, though. Even though, I "dread" catagory #2 the most, this was rather painfull. Thank god for short records!!

[Jon]

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

1. Threshold--Critical Mass (Lead singer Andrew "Mac" McDermott passed away in 2011)

2. Fleetwood Mac--Mystery To Me (Bob Welch passed away in 2012)

3. Slipknot--Vol. 3: (The Subliminal Verses) (bassist Paul Gray passed away in 2010)

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

1. Threshold--Critical Mass (Lead singer Andrew "Mac" McDermott passed away in 2011)

2. Fleetwood Mac--Mystery To Me (Bob Welch passed away in 2012)

3. Slipknot--Vol. 3: (The Subliminal Verses) (bassist Paul Gray passed away in 2010)

[Niels (Mod)]

Okay, I'm doing it, I'm doing it!!!

Second album in the catagory (ydrk!) 2) Listen to 5 disco and/or funk albums, soundtracks included (per Scott G.):

The Bee Gees - Spirits Having Flown (1979)

My sister had this record. She and I had TOTALLY different taste in music!! "Tragedy" and "Too Much Heaven" are fine numbers, but a whole album?!!! Wait a sec. "Love You Inside Out" is actually a fine track too. This is certainly an easier listening than "Damned Damned Damned". I catch myself singing in that mouse-voice!! Okay, those 3 songs were the best of the bunch. The last 4-5 tracks were going on FOREVER!! That must be enough Disco for one day!!

[Niels (Mod)]

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

Blondie - Blondie (1976). Could also fit in "punk/New Wave"-catagory, but only because it's New Wave. I don't think I've heard all of Blondoe's debut'album before. It's okay, but really nothing special.