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Carrie is a guitar goddess in her own right. I'd like to see someone knock out Get Up like they did. Where's my Hot Rock download pack!
That really was a fantastic review. Never heard of the broad before, but I am genuine interested as to an actual musician/non-gamer's take on the game is, seeing as I've far, far more friends who play instruments than videogames. I'll take your word about the comments, I've hit my retard quota for the day.
By the way, satyricon aren't defunct. I saw them last summer. They still suck.
By the way, satyricon aren't defunct. I saw them last summer. They still suck.
Satyricon, the venue. Funnily enough, Nex, it reopens tonight in some form?
I thought it was a well-thought out and level-headed look at the game. For me, it puts a spotlight on how far many gamers have gone with their fanaticism. I'm sure, for instance, that there are some rabid Rock Band fans who will consider her words to be negative. Everything seemed to be pretty right-on, and she acknowledges a lot of good aspects of the game (such as the drums) while also acknowledging differences (ie how you're not simulating playing guitar at all). It's not as if she slams the game, but merely looks at it from the perspective of an average person who doesn't use all kinds of gamer speak and hasn't heard of Rock Band before recently. Anyone who has a serious problem with her review is likely waaaaaaay too fanatical about Rock Band.
I don't think there's another band out there that hurts my ears as bad as Sleater-Kinney
Cool review though
Cool review though
Brownstein = guitar god. Just keep listening to The Woods until you get it. S-K was one of the best rock bands in the world making music at the time they were still together (or not on hiatus or whatever). Now to go read her review. :D
OK, I looked at the actual comments...some of them anyway.
I'm always amazed by the defensiveness of "real musicians" regarding Guitar Hero and now Rock Band. It's not meant to take the place of playing an actual instrument. I mean, Roy Jones Jr. wasn't sweating Wii Sports boxing, was he? For god's sake, it's a toy with a few colored buttons that is supposed to be FUN. I appreciate that Carrie Brownstein realized this, even if many still don't.
I'm always amazed by the defensiveness of "real musicians" regarding Guitar Hero and now Rock Band. It's not meant to take the place of playing an actual instrument. I mean, Roy Jones Jr. wasn't sweating Wii Sports boxing, was he? For god's sake, it's a toy with a few colored buttons that is supposed to be FUN. I appreciate that Carrie Brownstein realized this, even if many still don't.
That was a great review; it talked about the experience of playing the game in a way that is interesting even to people that aren't going to play the game. And Sleater-Kinney was awesome in the day, one of the best live acts I've seen.
Decent review i thought, at first I thought she was overly harsh but she illustrates the good and bad pretty fairly i suppose.
I've been thinking about this review, and the conclusion I keep coming to is: it was written for an audience of people who do not plan to play the game, but would like to know what all the buzz is about.
Wow. The article is a fun read, but this bit near the end nails the essence of Rock Band like nothing I've seen:
"I suppose it's pointless to try to break it down in this way, into a dualistic Rock Band vs. real band. Not even the creators of Rock Band could possibly believe that playing the game is tantamount to making your own music. There is, however, a sad similarity between Rock Band and some actual bands, and that is the attempt at realness. With so much of music blurring the lines between ersatz and authenticity, at least the Rock Band game is a tribute to rock, rather than an affront. In the realm of fakery, I would choose Rock Band over American Idol or over any of the other flimsy truths masquerading as music. With Rock Band, you can play along to Black Sabbath or Nirvana and possibly find new ways of appreciating their artistry by being allowed to perform parallel to it. Rock Band puts you inside the guts of a song."
"I suppose it's pointless to try to break it down in this way, into a dualistic Rock Band vs. real band. Not even the creators of Rock Band could possibly believe that playing the game is tantamount to making your own music. There is, however, a sad similarity between Rock Band and some actual bands, and that is the attempt at realness. With so much of music blurring the lines between ersatz and authenticity, at least the Rock Band game is a tribute to rock, rather than an affront. In the realm of fakery, I would choose Rock Band over American Idol or over any of the other flimsy truths masquerading as music. With Rock Band, you can play along to Black Sabbath or Nirvana and possibly find new ways of appreciating their artistry by being allowed to perform parallel to it. Rock Band puts you inside the guts of a song."
Would hit. But gay, so probably won't.
I like the idea of musicians reviewing the game. Especially ones that don't totally suck.
I like the idea of musicians reviewing the game. Especially ones that don't totally suck.
The guitar/bass is made by Fender and looks like a smaller, plastic toy version of a Stratocaster. Brad told me that if you view it from a distance, you might mistake it for the real thing. The prospect of a real guitar tech accidentally handing out a Rock Band guitar in the middle of a set seemed unlikely. On the other hand, the minute I mistake that thing for a real Fender I will succumb to the meds I know I need, so it does serve as a handy litmus test.
Priceless. Brownstein writes pretty well, and this great review has actually made me want to check out Sleater-Kinney, even though I’ve never heard of them.
Priceless. Brownstein writes pretty well, and this great review has actually made me want to check out Sleater-Kinney, even though I’ve never heard of them.
Finally, and article about rockband I can get behind. At least she's giving up a fairly humorous perspective and not ripping on all the people who will never get out of their basements. It always seems though that these musicians forget that for every successful (or semi-successful) act, there are three guys who got dumped from the music industry because the keyboardist ran off with a guy from a star wars chat room and the lead singer found Jesus (and a girl that had 6 kids and required he find jesus...).
Whoops, my spite is showing... I'll try that again... nice review.
Whoops, my spite is showing... I'll try that again... nice review.
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