Here at GamesAreEvil, we want to give monumental attention to monumental games. We got a bit carried away writing about Rock Band 2 (once we were able to stop playing it for 30 minutes). Thus, we’ve taken the liberty of splitting it up in digestible pieces; “The Music,” “The Instruments,” and “The Game” will focus on their respective categories. Here’s the first of our Week Long Rock-a-Thon.
To put Rock Band 2′s soundtrack in simplest form would sound like this quote from one of my good friends:
“The soundtrack is made of win and dipped in awesomesauce.”
If you want to hear something more specific, here it is: Rock Band 2′s gargantuan soundtrack includes 84 songs. Harmonix understands that quantity does not mean quality, so they took care to stuff some of the most recognizable songs of all-time in there. Who hasn’t made a fool out of themselves singing “Livin’ on A Prayer” or garbling the words in confusion at the beginning of “Chop Suey?” Not only are there the familiar songs, there’s obviously a whole wealth of songs spanning almost 5 decades, some you’ve probably never heard before. But after you hear them, you’ll be humming them for eternity.
Rest assured, there is a song in here for everyone. From the harmonic beauty of “Spirit In the Sky” to the death-tastic “Visions,” everyone at the party will have fun, regardless of their musical taste. Sister wants ska? She got it. Your friends want Heavy Metal? There it is, plenty of it. You want a bit of classic rock? Have it “Any Way You Want It.” An example of Rock Band 2′s immense diversity can be seen in my one of my experiences.
A 30 year old man, a 9 year old girl, and myself, a teenager that enjoys a good amount of head-banging, all got together and picked a few songs to play. We never fussed, and had a blast. Of course Rock Band 2, like every music game, has its share of stinkers (I’m talking to you Beastie Boys. “So What’cha Want?” A better song!) but they are so few and far between you won’t even remember them 3 songs later.
For those of you who like hard statistics, here’s one you’ve probably never seen before. I’ll calculate the “RNP” (Rather Not Play) Quotient. This is a fantastical equation, expressed as such: “number of songs that I’d rather eat dirt than play” divided by “the total number of songs”
Rock Band 1: 7/58 12%
Rock Band 2: 4/84 5%
A bit of an improvement, no?
Here’s the gist: If you have ears, you’ll find much to like in Rock Band 2. You’ll even learn to appreciate musical flourishes you may not have paid attention to by passive listening alone. The immensity and sheer quality of these songs will turn any respectable, upstanding citizen into a kid again, often involving obnoxiously sung choruses with friends, and general gyration.
For the faithful
For all the Harmonix faithfuls out there, you will be glad to know that some regulars, like “Breaking Wheel”, and more unexpectedly, “That Handsome Devil” make an appearance here. However, a few crucial bands are missing. Namely “Freezepop” and “Honest Bob and the Factory-To-Dealer Incentives.” Although Harmonix will eventually release 20 free downloadable tracks for the game, that leaves those without Xbox Live up a creek.
Even in those 20 tracks, some bands still may not be represented. During a conversation with “Honest Bob and the Factory-To-Dealer Incentives” members, they shared this bit of information with me.
“I don’t expect we will be among the 20 free songs. However, do not despair. There is a good chance we will work something out eventually for an Honest Bob DLC.”
For one, I can’t wait for this particular pack to be released.
Now that what you hear is out of the way, our next piece will focus on what you feel. Next up: “The Instruments.” What’s changed? What Hasn’t? Stay tuned to find out.
The Full Rock Band 2 Setlist after this jump:
THE FULL SETLIST:
Rock Band 2 On-Disc Track List:
1. AC/DC “Let There Be Rock” 1970s
2. AFI “Girl’s Gone Grey” 2000’s
3. Alanis Morissette “You Oughta Know” 1990’s
4. Alice in Chains “Man in the Box” 1990’s
5. Allman Brothers “Ramblin’ Man” 1970’s
6. Avenged Sevenfold “Almost Easy” 2000’s
7. Bad Company “Shooting Star” 1970’s
8. Beastie Boys “So Whatcha Want” 1990’s
9. Beck “E-Pro” 2000’s
10. Bikini Kill “Rebel Girl” 1990’s
11. Billy Idol “White Wedding Pt. I” 1980’s
12. Blondie “One Way or Another” 1970’s
13. Bob Dylan “Tangled Up in Blue” 1970’s
14. Bon Jovi “Livin’ on a Prayer” 1980’s
15. Cheap Trick “Hello There” 1970’s
16. Devo “Uncontrollable Urge” 1980’s
17. Dinosaur Jr. “Feel the Pain” 1990’s
18. Disturbed “Down with the Sickness” 2000’s
19. Dream Theater “Panic Attack” 2000’s
20. Duran Duran “Hungry Like the Wolf” 1980’s
21. Elvis Costello “Pump It Up” 1970’s
22. Fleetwood Mac “Go Your Own Way” 1970’s
23. Foo Fighters “Everlong” 1990’s
24. Guns N’ Roses “Shackler’s Revenge” 2000’s
25. Interpol “PDA” 2000’s
26. Jane’s Addiction “Mountain Song” 1980’s
27. Jethro Tull “Aqualung” 1970’s
28. Jimmy Eat World “The Middle” 2000’s
29. Joan Jett “Bad Reputation” 1980’s
30. Journey “Anyway You Want It” 1970’s
31. Judas Priest “Painkiller” 1990’s
32. Kansas “Carry On Wayward Son” 1970’s
33. L7 “Pretend We’re Dead” 1990’s
34. Lacuna Coil “Our Truth” 2000’s
35. Linkin Park “One Step Closer” 2000’s
36. Lit “My Own Worst Enemy” 1990’s
37. Lush “De-Luxe” 1990’s
38. Mastodon “Colony of Birchmen” 2000’s
39. Megadeth “Peace Sells” 1980’s
40. Metallica “Battery” 1980’s
41. Mighty Mighty Bosstones “Where’d You Go” 1990’s
42. Modest Mouse “Float On” 2000’s
43. Motorhead “Ace of Spades” 1980’s
44. Nirvana “Drain You” 1990’s
45. Norman Greenbaum “Spirit in the Sky” 1960’s
46. Panic at the Disco “Nine in the Afternoon” 2000’s
47. Paramore “That’s What You Get” 2000’s
48. Pearl Jam “Alive” 1990’s
49. Presidents of the USA “Lump” 1990’s
50. Rage Against the Machine “Testify” 1990’s
51. Ratt “Round & Round” 1980’s
52. Red Hot Chili Peppers “Give it Away” 1990’s
53. Rise Against “Give it All” 2000’s
54. Rush “The Trees” 1970’s
55. Silversun Pickups “Lazy Eye” 2000’s
56. Smashing Pumpkins “Today” 1990’s
57. Social Distortion “I Was Wrong” 1990’s
58. Sonic Youth “Teenage Riot” 1980’s
59. Soundgarden “Spoonman” 1990’s
60. Squeeze “Cool for Cats” 1970’s
61. Steely Dan “Bodhitsattva” 1970’s
62. Steve Miller Band “Rock’n Me” 1970’s
63. Survivor “Eye of the Tiger” 1980’s
64. System of a Down “Chop Suey” 2000’s
65. Talking Heads “Psycho Killer” 1970’s
66. Tenacious D “Master Exploder” 2000’s
67. Testament “Souls of Black” 1990’s
68. The Donnas “New Kid in School” 2000’s
69. The Go-Go’s “We Got the Beat” 1980’s
70. The Grateful Dead “Alabama Getaway” 1980’s
71. The Guess Who “American Woman” 1970’s
72. The Muffs “Kids in America” 1990’s
73. The Offspring “Come Out & Play (Keep ‘em Separated)” 1990’s
74. The Replacements “Alex Chilton” 1980’s
75. The Who “Pinball Wizard” 1960’s
Bonus Artist Bonus Song Title Decade
76. Abnormality “Visions” 2000’s
77. Anarchy Club “Get Clean” 2000’s
78. Bang Camaro “Night Lies” 2000’s
79. Breaking Wheel “Shoulder to the Plow” 2000’s
80. The Libyans “Neighborhood” 2000’s
81. The Main Drag “A Jagged Gorgeous Winter” 2000’s
82. Speck “Conventional Lover” 2000’s
83. The Sterns “Supreme Girl” 2000’s
84. That Handsome Devil “Rob the Prez-O-Dent” 2000’s
** The Rock Band 2 on-disc track list is comprised entirely of master recordings.
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