Rock Band Download Low-Down: Week 25
Each week we’ll run out onto our website stage like roadies and review the latest Rock Band Downloadable Content. Check back every week! (And click here for all of our previous music DLC reviews.)
*NOTE: Each of the songs in this week’s selection costs 160 Microsoft Points ($2). They are also available as the Scene Pack 01 for 440 Microsoft Points ($5.50).
Scene Pack
WHAT ROCKS: In one of the weakest packs in weeks, Fall Out Boy's "This Ain't A Scene, It's An Arms Race" is the lone highlight, offering a catchy riff that's highlighted by a steady guitar chart that minimizes the fast-strumming repetitve chords we've seen in other punk tunes. Vocals are also solid, save for the radio edit (see below), and drums flow nicely too without getting too same-y. Also, "Date with the Night" by the Yeah Yeah Yeahs is more fun than the band's other tune included on the disc, "Maps." Bass is a standout there, though the rest of the parts are pretty average.
WHAT SUCKS: The third song in the pack is downright awful — so admitted our virtual band's biggest Blink 18"3"...er, Angels & Airwaves fan. "It Hurts" is repetitive and boring on vocals (enjoy repeating the title lyric a hundred or two times) and equally lame on guitar, bass, and drums. Also, the Fall Out Boy tune is annoyingly censored — apparently the words "god" and "damn" together are a no-no despite being all over television — but perhaps Harmonix was given the radio edit version by the record company.
FINAL VERDICT: Definitely skip the pack, but consider buying "This Ain't..." as a single.
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A New Pyro Fool
May 21, 2008 at 5:12pm
Am I the only person that thinks It Hurts is a great DLC song?
smoothoap33
May 16, 2008 at 10:30am
The other song by the Yeah Yeah Yeahs that's already in the game, "Maps" was not very good IMO (and that's being nice about it). So I can't imagine this one being much better.
instantdeath999
May 14, 2008 at 1:42pm
You must not play expert guitar if you say the Grateful Dead songs are horrible.
PedroRVD
May 14, 2008 at 6:40am
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......you made me waste my money buying ALL the grateful dead songs...they are HORRIBLE.
MiLkWeEd
May 12, 2008 at 3:07pm
I originally was only gonna buy the fall out boy track but my girl wanted that song It hurts dont ask me why so I just decided to get all 3 and save 40 microsoft points. But i agree the other two songs suck!!
BigL8492
May 11, 2008 at 10:10am
I purchased It Hurts and Arms Race, I for one like both songs probably because I like both bands, Arms Race is probably a little more challenging than It Hurts, I'm not a huge fan of The Yeah Yeah Yeahs which is why i didn't get that song, but from what i've seen it seems to be a decent song. Arms Race is definitally the best song out of the three so if you only have enough microsoft points for one of the songs, get that one. Sure Dead On Arrival is more challenging, but this one wasn't a bad choice by Harmonx for DLC
xpects the xpctd
May 09, 2008 at 11:42am
I only bought "This Ain't...", I didn't recognize the other songs so I didn't buy them. I hate "Maps", so that might have influenced me a bit. Glad u guys agreed with my decision.
New Gunslinger
May 07, 2008 at 7:30pm
Wow! Couldn't disagree more. This Ain't A Scene is INCREDIBLY repetitive. The bass is boring, the drums are easy and the fast strumming of the guitar gets tiresome fast! Singing is its only saving grace and even THAT is mared by the radio edit version (Man that's awkward. "This Ain't a Scene it's a.... Damn Arms Race!"). Date With The Night is fun on all fronts, though a bit too aggressive for some and a challenge for drummers. "It Hurts" in my opinion is really a mixed bag. The bass put me to sleep but the drums were entertaining. The guitar switches from difficult to easy with little in between but for me it never got old. The vocals are repetitive but it's fun to belt the prechorus. Still love your reviews I just don't entirely agree with this weeks rating. I alsothink our preferences in music bias our opinions slightly.
instantdeath999
May 07, 2008 at 5:35pm
My opinion: I have not yet bought them, but from the sound, and the youtube videos, I say that: This aint a scene, it's an Arm race- I might buy it... it's just the censor is currently holding me back. I realize that vocalists can just sing the part, but no matter what instrument I'm on, it just seems to break the tune, I guess. Sounds awkward. It Hurts- It sounds okay, but repetitive and boring. I might buy it if there is a dud in the coming weeks. Date with the Night- The vocals make my ears bleed... as for the instruments... did they get someone from Activision to chart it? In a nutshell, I wont be buying... right away. I am saving for the Muse pack (expecting a good review), and I want to know what's next week. I'm considering the fallout boy song, but the censor is making it tough... as for It Hurts, like I said, maybe on a rainy day. Date With the Night makes me shiver, so I doubt it.
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