Rock Band 2 - Week 1

So I've been playing a lot of Rock Band 2 the last week; catching a few minutes here and there. I haven't had time to put in any marathon hours into it. It is a great way to unwind after a crowded stressful bus commute home.

I've played some guitar,bass, and drums this week, but no singing. Because no one wants to here that, not even me.

Playing drums on Alice in Chains "Spoonman" I came across a drum solo, which I thought was pretty cool. That's the first time I can remember encountering a drum solo, though I may have played one before. I'm pretty sure I've played a bass solo before.

I played bass on a few "punk" songs, mostly Pixies, Blink-182, and the Offspring. It's a bit odd, but in a few of those songs it felt like the bass notes were timed a hair off. Which is very unfortunate, because that is the DLC that is the most fun to play on the drums and guitar. The drum parts are surprisingly  complex; which is funny because "punk takes no talent". The guitar parts aren't as hard but the note-tracking feels very realistic.

Speaking of DLC, other downloads I would recommend is the Foo Fighters The Colour and the Shape, No Doubt's The Singles 1992-2003, and the Cars - the Cars. Every part is fun on the No Doubt songs, though for some reason every drum part seems to be insane. Also my wife loves No Doubt, so when I get her to play with me, it's usually her singing the No Doubt songs. I was a bit disappointed in the the Cars guitar note tracking, but the songs are a blast on bass and drums. The Foo Fighters songs are again good all around. I love the Who and wish I could recommend their DLC more highly but there is too much empty spaces between notes in most of their songs.

Anyway, I've got a long way to go still. I'm still opening up cities and venues. Doubtful I'll get to play any this weekend, I'm going to be busy non-stop.

AC/DC Live: Rock Band Track Pack

I was totally in the mood for some Rock Band 2 today after I waited for the bus for an hour this afternoon! But by the time I got home I had a headache. After dinner I felt better and did play Rock Band. Some AC/DC Live Track Pack that is.  It was after 10 (after 30 Rock) so it was too late to rock out on the drums. So I played a few songs on Guitar in the Medium Solo Tour.

It's not on my pile of shame yet, because I just got it a few a weeks ago, and I have to have owned a game at least 6 months and it has be at least two years old before I consider part of my pile of shame. Otherwise I still
consider it to be a game I am currently playing. At least that's the logic I just made up this instant.

It's fine I ended up playing it on guitar  because I was down to the last few songs on the drum solo tour when I got to "Let There Be Rock". That song is just stupid on the drums. Far too much pedal. I should have never decided to start on Medium instead of Easy. So I think I may be finishing the tour on Guitar.

It's really regrettable that AC/DC Live was based on the Rock Band 1 engine. It would be nice to change difficulty at will like you can in Rock Band 2. And play the same tour with friends or by yourself. And it would be really nice if you were actually playing as AC/DC. It seems kind of lame to be performing live AC/DC songs as random schmoes.

As for the actual songs, they're pretty good but not great. The energy is captured nicely, but I don't like the note-tracking as much as I do for the Who or Pixies DLC. The live thing is good in concept, but the songs tend to get a bit repetitive and overlong, especially when you're waiting almost half a minute between notes at times. People who love AC/DC will definitely have fun with this Track Pack though.

In sort of related thoughts; I'm excited about the Green Day:Rock Band. I loved The Beatles:Rock Band and if Green Day gets the same sort of treatment I think the game will be pretty sweet. A lot of people are complaining about the choice of Green Day. Green Day's career is more varied than most people think and they've had plenty of big hits. Also I don't think they really get the credit they deserve for their musicianship. It's not Stephen Sondheim, but its not just three-chord Punk-Pop either.

Anyway, I'm hoping to play some Rock Band 2 drums sometime this weekend....