What Is It?
Rock Band is basically a rock band simulator. You get to play guitar and bass, just like Guitar Hero, but you also get to play drums and sing as well. It is the ultimate party game where you and your friends can play together and have fun and rock out to some awesome tunes that you are actually performing. You get to be the ultimate cover band and actually sound good, rather than playing all half-assed like those kids down the street. A price still hasn’t been revealed, but it is expected that a set with the game, one wireless guitar, drum set, and microphone will come in at around $200. These items will also, presumably, be available separately.
You can see a scan of the guitar, drum kit, and microphone from Game Informer at Kotaku.
Harmonix + MTV + EA = Win
A lot of people were sort of let down by the news that MTV had purchased Harmonix, and also the later announcement that Electronic Arts would be publishing their next game, but it didn’t bother me one bit. Why? Because Harmonix has never, ever let me down. They always deliver the goods, and they do music/rhythm games better than anyone. And when it was revealed that they were not only taking it directly to Guitar Hero and Activision/Red Octane right out of the gate, but adding to the guitar shredding with drums and singing at the same time, I knew it had to be good. MTV’s involvement ensures that it will get a lot of mainstream coverage and it also ensures that a steady stream of bands will want to be included in the game. And with EA involved, you know that they aren’t afraid of spending the money it takes to get pretty much any band under the sun. Sure, MTV and EA’s taste in music is kind of questionable, but like I said, Harmonic has never let us down and wouldn’t let a crappy soundtrack ruin their game.
First 16 Songs on the Soundtrack:
- 1970s
- The Who "Won't Get Fooled Again"
- Mountain "Mississippi Queen"*
- David Bowie "Suffragette City"
- Black Sabbath "Paranoid"*
- Blue Oyster Cult "Don't Fear the Reaper"
- The Ramones "Rockaway Beach”
1980s
- Rush "Tom Sawyer"*
- Bon Jovi "Wanted Dead or Alive"
1990s
- Nirvana "In Bloom"
- Stone Temple Pilots "Vasoline"
- Weezer "Say It Ain't So"
- Foo Fighters “Learn to Fly”
- Metallica “Enter Sandman”
2000s
- The Hives "Main Offender"
- The Strokes "Reptilia"
- Queens of the Stone Age "Go With the Flow"
* Indicates a cover song, all others songs are original master recordings
But Wait, There’s More!
It was also announced that Harmonix expects to release downloadable content every single week after the game is released. And we aren’t just getting individual songs, either, entire albums will be made available starting with The Who’s 1971 album, “Who’s Next”. This is massively important and amazing news and as long as they are reasonably priced, should keep you playing Rock Band for years go come.
Another good sign is that musician, actor and record producer Steven Van Zandt, a.k.a. “Little Steven,” will be the head of a music advisory board for Rock Band and he, along with the rest of the board, will help Harmonix and MTV to select the right songs and bands for the game. Very cool.
Bottom Line
This is just the tip of the iceberg. As more information is released, anticipation for Rock Band will only continue to grow. And, for that matter, I’m sure Guitar Hero III is going to be phenomenal as well, but Rock Band offers up a sweet looking drum kit along with the blistering guitar licks, and we’re very eager to get our hands on the sticks.
