Rock Band Download Low-Down: Week 16
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 six songs in this week’s selection costs 160 Microsoft Points ($2). They are also available collectively as the Grateful Dead Pack 01 for 800 points ($10).
The Grateful Dead Pack 01
WHAT ROCKS: From top to bottom, this special six-pack is nothing short of a triumph (we're making a note here). Not only is each of the tunes a blast to play, but they're all completely different, too. And guess what? When we imagined The Grateful Dead in Rock Band, we pictured easy, mellow songs that we could five-star in our sleep, even while sampling the sweet leaf (in true Dead spirit). Uh-uh.
"China Cat Sunflower" will put your HO/PO (that's hammer-on/pull-off) skills to the test on guitar, "Truckin'" is the one Dead tune you probably know even if you were born in the 1980s and will also test your guitar skills, "Sugar Magnolia" shines on bass, "I Need a Miracle" freshens up Rock Band's setlist as a bona fide groovin' blues track that is a blast on guitar and vocals, "Franklin's Tower" is a laid-back beach-y song you can't help but enjoy, and "Casey Jones" is destined to be the drummer's favorite of the bunch.
And not a single one of these songs has a boring part. All four band members will have a great time. Furthermore, the repetition that plagues far too many of the downloadable tracks is nowhere to be found here: you'll always be kept on your toes regardless of your preferred instrument.
WHAT SUCKS: We suck for ever doubting Harmonix.
FINAL VERDICT: We're as surprised as anyone. Frankly, we really had uncertain expectations for this pack, but we certainly didn't expect it to be the single best download for the game yet. Yes, the Metallica Pack from release day is amazing, but it's more fan service than anything else.
These half-dozen songs are truly an eclectic, inspired bunch, and it feels as if more care and time went into crafting these note charts than those of most of the other downloads. It's just a hunch, but considering that the Dead songs are one of Harmonix's big "scores" (along with the upcoming Who and Nirvana albums, as well as Metallica), is it really that much of a stretch to imagine that the developer put their A-list people on this and gave them more time than usual?
Regardless, we wholeheartedly recommend this pack to anyone and everyone with a copy of Rock Band. None of us grew up with the Dead, so we came in with no fanboy emotions. Rather, the music as it plays within the context of the game is among the most fun yet we've had with our 2007 Game of the Year.
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PedroRVD
May 14, 2008 at 6:36am
oh man!!! THIS SUCKS! I trusted in you and bought ALL the songs...they are so slow, so boring and NOBODY know this songs...I want a refund. Do you review the tracks that are in the disc? I would love to read that in order to know what is "hell yes" or boo" to you...
xdoctorblindx
April 24, 2008 at 10:25am
this was a phenominal surprise...I had no intentions of getting this pack before i read this review, but oxm sold it well and I don't regret buying it for a second...it has the best repeat playability of any dlc yet, and its a blast no matter your instrument, and a blast even if you hate the band...I was never a fan, but I've come around...if you're considering this pack in least, just buy it...scratch that...if you own Rock Band, get this pack! the only moot point is the drums on truckin', but its actually a nice change of pace once you get used to it...if you've got this pack, add my gamertag!
eson
March 12, 2008 at 11:46am
Hope we get more metal DLC or metallica. How about the Pharmacy. They rock. GT: RoostrOFThFutur
davef350
March 12, 2008 at 9:32am
Grateful Dead...Whatever, what happened to Bad Company "shooting star" Lynyrd Skynyrd "Simple Man" and "Message in a bottle" from the Police that were supposed to come out this week?
LocoGray
March 08, 2008 at 9:27pm
I have been looking forward to the Dead tracks since before Rock Band was released, and I'm excited they are here. I am not disappointed in the least, they are a blast to play, whether you are a fan or not. In closing...in light of this review from the OXM staff in which they give it a "hell Yeah!" with a thumbs up, I believe Dan, Paul and Fran own the Dead and their fans an apology for referring to this fantastic bunch of classic rock musicians as "dirty hippy music".
Ministry4390
March 08, 2008 at 3:52pm
Jomolungma: They actually have 18 Grateful Dead tracks that they'll be putting in Rock Band. They'll probably release the remaining 12 songs in 6 packs as well.
Ryan_OXM
March 07, 2008 at 3:04pm
sneaky77: We review individual tracks when they're not available as a pack. We prefer to do it as a bundle review whenever possible. Ryan McCaffrey Senior Editor Official Xbox Magazine
The Boneweasel
March 07, 2008 at 2:11pm
oh man if its true about that second pack i hope to god scarlet begonias is on it.
sneaky77
March 07, 2008 at 1:19pm
I am not a dead fan, but the songs are very fun to play, and they are not bad to listen to. Why has OXM stopped reviewing the tracks as single tracks?
Jomolungma
March 07, 2008 at 11:51am
@RyeRye I have read on other boards that the plan was for 12 Dead songs in 2 packs of 6. Haven't heard what the other 6 songs might be, or when we might see them, but perhaps Friend of the Devil is in that second six-pack.
eyeqtrader
March 07, 2008 at 8:54am
This is awesome; Finally a pack with more than 3 songs. I hope this is a tester pack to see if future larger packs will do well. I can't wait for the Nirvana Nevermind album. I hope they decide to release a Pearl Jam Ten pack. Its just good, hard, fun music to sing and play to.
RyeRye113097
March 06, 2008 at 9:52pm
I've been a Dead fan since I was in college and was really looking forward to this pack when it was announced months ago. I dig the pack but was definitely bummed when I realized that the all time greatest Dead song "Friend of the Devil" wasn't included. Anyone know of any plans for more Dead content in the future?
New Gunslinger
March 06, 2008 at 3:48pm
I, too, was pleasantly surprised at this pack. I bought it for family Rock Band night (parents are huge dead heads) and found myself loving the jams (especially Sugar Magnolia). The only problem for me is that even at 5 minutes the tracks seem so short. Each song is like one long solo so when it ends I'm a little sad. But that's a great problem to have so keep it up Harmonix!
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