Will Work for Downloadable Content - Part 2: Song Packs

So last week, everyone got a quick glimpse into which tracks I believe should be considered as downloadable content for Rock Band 2 and Guitar Hero World Tour. Sadly, one article just isn’t enough to get the attention of the people at Harmonix and Activision; using an “insider tip” that claims two articles are enough to garner attention, I present the second installment of my DLC wish list, this time it’s all about the song packs.

This group of artists is a combination of the no-brainer choices, and a demographic of rock that I believe could be better represented in both games. They all possess the key elements to being enjoyable video game tracks, so without further ado, here they are…

- Jimi Hendrix – An obvious choice for anything that is guitar related. I was happy to see that he got two tracks included in GHWT, but the truth is this man’s music deserves an entire song pack, album, or even an entire game. If Aerosmith can have their own game than Hendrix should have five. Countless tracks like Fire, Hey Joe, Voodoo Child, All Along the Watchtower, and Manic Depression are absolute necessities for these games. Here’s to hoping we can all have some more Jimi in our virtual lives, even if it is a pain to get those master recordings.

- Radiohead – I don’t even know where to start with this one. I’m grateful for Creep, and even more happy that My Iron Lung was released as DLC for RB, but these guys are simply too good to only have two songs in the library. There’s been a lot of chatter on the Rockband forums petitioning for Ok Computer’s release as a downloadable album, but the truth is, this band has too many good songs spanning over multiple albums to limit them to just one. Logical suggestion, you guessed it, a song pack. There, There, Paranoid Android, Just, Electioneering, Bodysnatchers, Airbag, the list goes on and on. These guys need to be recognized for their progressive approach to music, unique style of playing, and their uncanny ability to make you say, “How the hell did they make that sound?”

- Led Zeppelin – Like you didn’t expect to see this? Another band worthy of an entire game to themselves, Zeppelin’s presence in these games has been problematic due to the elusiveness of their master recordings. There’s no denying that they would be a blast to play, their band included four virtuosos at each instrument, which works out well for the set up for these games, even if Robert Plant would be hard to sing. Fans have been dying to play songs like Black Dog, Immigrant Song, Heartbreaker, When the Levee Breaks, and this other little ditty, what’s it called? Oh yea, Stairway to Heaven.

- Arctic Monkeys – Although they have achieved a bit of popularity here in the States, it’s merely a fraction of the success they have across the pond. This group benefits from their catchy guitar hooks, simple bare chord progressions, and tongue-twister style lyrics. Throw in a world-class drummer and you have a band that’s perfect for GH or RB. You may not know the songs Brianstorm, I Bet You Look Good on The Dance Floor, Teddy Picker, Still Take you Home or From The Ritz to the Rubble but you would adore them if they were in these games. It’s time to show some more love for that British indie rock.

- The Beatles – Yeah yeah, another obvious choice, but the roots of modern rock don’t delve much deeper than the fab four. John, Paul, George and Ringo deserve to be in these games, even if the rights to their songs are difficult to get. RB and GH have become the new medium for younger generations to experience older music; for that reason alone songs like Daytripper, Taxman, Drive My Car, She’s So Heavy, Twist and Shout, Come Together and Here Comes the Sun should be available to download. This is the type of injustice that would have John Lennon and Yoko Ono (damn her) protesting in their bed.

- The Strokes – Sure, they had Reptilia, and that’s great, and maybe you agree it was a blast to play; but I guess I’m selfish, because I want more. These guys might as well be on the cover of the games, they are the quintessential rockband of today. Leather jackets, tight pants, a drunken stage presence and quirky chords under snarling riffs; yep, they need a downloadable song pack. 12:51, The Modern Age, Barely Legal, Juicebox, The End Has No End, Last Nite, Red Light, Heart in a Cage; I just can’t stop ranting once I get started on these guys. Does anyone else share my incredible urge to play these songs?

You may disagree with some of my choices, and that is expected, but I present this list with the idea that it combines the classic acts along with a genre that I think is often overlooked, indie. Sure, an AC/DC or Guns N’ Roses packs are amongst popular demand, but don’t we already have a lot of mainstream American Rock in the game? Isn’t it time to show love to some other genres that need to be noticed? I say yes. Be sure to leave a comment as to which bands you would like to see release a song pack in the future.