Rock Band Download Low-Down: Week 14
Each week we’ll run out onto our website stage like roadies and review the latest Rock Band Downloadable Content. Check back every week!
*NOTE: Each of the songs in this week’s selection costs 160 Microsoft Points ($2). They are only sold separately.
"El Scorcho" by Weezer
WHAT ROCKS: Look for the downright crazy drum part that comes out of nowhere in the middle of the song. It ain't easy, but it is a welcome -- if brief -- challenge. Also, though we're not keen on the guitar chart (see below), it is structured such that it does work as a good training ground for medium-difficulty players who want to practice their way to hard skill.
WHAT SUCKS: Guitar is ludicrously easy, and boring in the process. Bass is worse, as the bassist will spend far too much of the song standing around and watching his bandmates play. Drums and vocals are each nothing to write home about as well.
FINAL VERDICT: It's just...weird. But not in a way that's fun within the context of the game.
"Sex Type Thing" by Stone Temple Pilots
WHAT ROCKS: It starts right away and maintains a steady, engaging energy throughout the entire song. It's one of those tunes in the game that just make you feel cool while playing.
WHAT SUCKS: No part is particularly challenging. Instead, everybody gets a pretty steady beat to keep. The drums in particular were an instrument we thought would be really awesome on this song heading into it, but turned out to be a bit underwhelming due to their simple, repetitive pattern.
FINAL VERDICT: Not amazing, but plenty solid.
"Why Do You Love Me" by Garbage
WHAT ROCKS: No one in our band had ever heard this tune before, but we all liked it. Catchy vocals, deceptively groovy bass line, and a particularly surprising drum pattern made of pure awesomeness. Indeed, the Garbage song has the best drum chart of the week -- who'da thunk it?
WHAT SUCKS: Guitar is the loser here. While the vocalist, bassist, and drummer are rocking out, the axe-handler is stuck with a mediocre (but far from terrible) note pattern.
FINAL VERDICT: Not as fun as the band's own "I Think I'm Paranoid," which is included on the retail game disc, but still a good tune.
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Purp1eHayes
February 27, 2008 at 9:47pm
"El Scorcho" gets a pass strictly for being on Weezer's best album (Pinkerton). But yeah, why they bothered to put this as DLC as opposed to getting us one song closer to having the complete Blue Album (which would rock ass) is beyond me. More STP is always a good thing. I'd like to see them go with some of the riskier, lesser known STP tracks though. "Dead and Bloated" anyone?
eson
February 27, 2008 at 3:08pm
I'm sure we wont get it, but Gogol Bordello would be extremely fun to play
Chaotic
February 23, 2008 at 2:15pm
This week's downloads were ok. All things "Rock Band" out of the way, the songs are catchy and are way better than the songs released last week.
"Sex Type Thing" was the first song I downloaded this week and played. I was a little upset that it was too easy, but it's such a good song I let it slide.
"El Scorcho" was too easy, period. I don't think they could have made it hard anyway because it's a simple song all the way through. I wouldn't download unless you are a Weezer fan-boy. Damn those "half-Japanese girls."
"Why Do You Love Me" was a little surprising. Everything seemed to click and provide some excitement except the guitar portion. Garbage isn't a terrible pop band but I think one of their better songs could have been released to us instead. I'm thinking "Push It" (has a killer "Monsters" feel bass line), or "Dumb". Point being if you are going to give us Garbage, give us good Garbage.
www.thelocclan.com
Jomolungma
February 21, 2008 at 12:24pm
Well, I'm not the most talented player of any of the instruments so I just look for songs that sound good and I enjoy. I liked the sound of all of these and I enjoy playing them, so that's good enough for me. I will say, though, that thanks to El Scorcho I was finally able to get the Flawless Fretwork achievement in much the same way I was able to use Last Train to Clarksville for the In the Groove achievement, so that was a nice bonus.
v0odo0child
February 21, 2008 at 11:20am
can we please get some real metal songs in rockband. im sick of singing "Im So Sick"!!!
sneaky77
February 21, 2008 at 8:35am
yes, the guitar charts are nothing special, but they are good songs, and who can resist weezer really..
Francesca OXM
February 21, 2008 at 8:31am
MitchyD -- on that STP song? Not so. The vocals are actually super forgiving. There are only really two ranges: high and talking-level low. If you're worried about the vocals, take our advice -- they ain't nothing compared to, say, "El Scorcho." That one's all over the map.
MitchyD
February 20, 2008 at 8:58pm
That STP song had me flipping out. I remember the song, but didn't really "know it" and I love it. It's a good song, but I think the vocals would be murder. -- http://www.nukoda.com -- Gamertag: MitchyD88
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