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Posted on: Jun 12, 2008

Guitar Hero Download Low-Down: Isle of Wight Track Pack

WORDS BY: Dan Amrich

Whenever Guitar Hero releases fresh tracks via Xbox Live, we'll run out onto our website stage like roadies and review the latest downloadable content. Check back often!

The Isle of Wight Track Pack contains three songs for 500 Microsoft Points ($6.25). The tracks are not available for individual sale.

WHAT ROCKS: “I Predict a Riot” by Kaiser Chiefs is the track that most people will recognize; it caught fire on alt-rock radio in 2004. The song isn’t the most complex to play, but it’s complex enough with a nice groove, and it builds to a joyous chorus that recalls the Clash in all the right ways. But the bigger surprise is the live version of “Problems” by the Sex Pistols. Not only does it not suffer from being an in-concert recording (which drenched the Def Leppard pack in weaksauce), but it keeps a consistent energy throughout. It’s repetitive like punk tends to be, but surprisingly musical and features more challenging patterns than you might expect. The solo doesn’t sound punk, and even the bass is all over the fretboard. Plus, it’s got the longest run of three-note chords you’ll likely find in all of Guitar Herodom.

WHAT SUCKS: The Kasabian track “Shoot the Runner” chugs along at a mid-tempo groove and then suddenly shifts to a keyboard part that feels like it’s in a different time signature — and that illogical musical leap is likely the reason this was chosen. But even on Expert, it’s not that difficult, if you’re paying attention (and especially now that you know it’s coming). If you like the song’s groove, you’ll enjoy playing it, but taken as its own track, it’s not pulling its weight.

FINAL VERDICT: These bands really have nothing to do with each other except the fact that they have all played the Isle of Wight festival — but they didn’t even all play in the same year. That’s like putting any three artists in one pack and calling it the Madison Square Garden Collection. What you get from that conceit, however, is diversity. With two strong tracks from different genres and one decent one, it’s worth your cash.