Choose Your Own Adventure - The October 2024 Spin Challenge

24-Oct Expert: Play an album by a band that is popular in a country that does not have stable diplomatic relations with the US.​

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How big are they in Russia?​

The Russian cult of Depeche Mode is at almost creepy levels of obsessiveness. The 2006 documentary Our Hobby is Depeche Mode shows how the group’s Russian superfans have kept photos, videos, and various relics from concerts better than in any other country, and how Depeche Mode-themed house parties were the place to be in Russia in the late 80s and early 90s. The subculture is also famous for celebrating “Dave Day” (lead singer Dave Gahan’s birthday) every May 9 while the rest of Russia celebrates Victory Day, and also for organizing public brawls with Duran Duran fans. Incredibly, there is even a Depeche Mode bar in St. Petersburg



Points - 53.5
 
Day 23: Expert (Disability)

Halsey - (Manic)

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Halsey’s battled a number of illnesses, mental & physical, over the years. Endometriosis, EDS, Sjögren’s Disease, POTS, Lupus & T-Cell Disorder just to name a few. I’d consider all of that to be pretty physically debilitating.

Point total: 72.5
 
25-Expert: Pledge to donate at least 5 cans of food or $5 to a local food bank this month and play an album that you wish we would all sit around and listen to with you.

Boeckner "Boeckner!" (2024 Sub Pop)
Listening to some Dan Boeckner this morning for some extra bonus Canadian points (SCORE = 3333⅓ Canadian points). I'm very much enjoying his latest release this year. Delicious glammy rock peppered with nice synths. Boeckner, Boecknoring, basically. I think I'll follow this up with some Wolf Parade and Devine Fits.

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27-Expert: Play an album where the drummer uses rutes or plays crotales.

Stereolab "Sound-Dust" (2001 Duaphonic Ultra HighFrequency Disck; 2019 reissue)
Since I've already played some Rush this month, decided to go with Stereolab (p.s.a.: Neil Peart is an answer to many of these drum kit prompts). Crotales are credited on two tracks here.

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28-OctOn this date in 1978, KISS star in the TV movie KISS Meets the Phantom of the Park. Expert: Play an album by a band who played in a movie as characters from their band (i.e. not a band that makes an appearance in a movie, but like Korn solving mysteries in a South Park episode).

Musical geniuses. Theatrical naturals...



The Beatles - A Hard Days Night

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MTD Tally - 277.5
 
28-Expert: Play an album by a band who played in a movie as characters from their band (i.e. not a band that makes an appearance in a movie, but like Korn solving mysteries in a South Park episode).

Billy Idol "Rebel Yell" (1983 Chrysalis, canadian pressing)
Played himself in The Wedding Singer. Helped the main character compose a love song to sing over a plane PA system.

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25. Expert: Pledge to donate at least 5 cans of food or $5 to a local food bank this month and play an album that you wish we would all sit around and listen to with you.

David Campbell – Pretty Brown
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I've got a case of vegetable soup and a 10 lb. bag of rice earmarked for the Mustard Seed around here; they helped me out when I was in a rough spot many years back, and are my usual go to for cash and goods donations.

As for the album, it's not one that's likely to change anybody's life in a big way, but it is a very good folk record that I wish were more well known than it seems to be. David was my neighbour up the road about twenty years ago in East Vancouver. The house I lived in played host to a monthly music, poetry and potluck event with feature performers and an open mic–The open mic was specifically dedicated to brand new never performed work, and the feature poet and musician were expected to debut at least one new work during their set. David was a one-time feature and regular attendee of the event; I was away for his feature, sadly, but his presence in our home was always warm and joyful.

Until a few years ago, I was only really familiar with the one song of David's that was featured on their Native North America archive compilation, which came out around the time he was coming to our place on the regular. Shortly after I started picking up records I found a copy of this album and instantly wished I'd been more aware of it back then. Since then I've been picking up his releases whenever I can. About half his catalogue is readily available on the cheap, while some of his earlier stuff tends to be much spendier. It's all quite good, but this one yet remains my favourite, and would be the one I'd share with y'all over a meal.

Points: 228
 
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