If you haven’t played Rock Band yet then you are definitely missing out. With close to 300 songs there is something for everyone. The smash hit of 2007, that has almost a cult following, now boasts a sequel, 2 track packs, and numerous additional songs available for download. In 2008, many new songs were added and below is my list of the tops released this year.
#10-8: Shoot to Thrill, T.N.T, & Thunderstruck by AC/DC
AC/DC rocks so hard that Rock Band gave them their own 18 track stand alone game. I’m not a huge AC/DC fan but I do like these 3 songs and every time I heard them I felt that they would either be great on Rock Band or Guitar Hero. I guess someone over at Harmonix felt so too, because these these 3 songs were added to the set list in ’08.
Difficulty Level:
Shoot to Thrill – Guitar 2, Drums 3, Voice 4, Bass 1, Band 2.
T.N.T. – Guitar 3, Drums 0, Voice 1, Bass 0, Band 1.
Thunderstruck – Guitar 4, Drums 3, Voice 2, Bass 0, Band 2.
#7: Holiday in Cambodia by Dead Kennedys
This song was on Guitar Hero 3 and was absolutely awesome, so it’s only natural to find that it was added to Rock Band in November of 2008. Holiday in Cambodia is guaranteed to give you tendinitis and drive you crazy until you get it right. It boasts a difficulty level of 5 little flaming heads on vocals and drums, a 5 on drums & overall band, and a 3 on guitar. So make sure you get some devout rockers in your band because you are going to need them.
#6: Dr. Feelgood by Motley Crue
It is always good to see classic rock songs added to games and this hit by Motley Crue is on right on par with all of the other greats. While the guitar is the most difficult at a 3, this song is still fun to play. It is one you can rock out to over and over again and it just makes you feel great. This song is one you have to download on XBox or PS3 if you want to play it.
#5: Life is Beautiful by Sixx A.M.
I heard this song a while back and just love it. There is just something about it that gets me real pumped up when I listen to it (despite the lyrics being about Nikki Sixx addiction to drugs). It is a moderately difficult song with the band & guitar being a 3, drums & bass a 4, and the vocals a 2. It is definitely a song worthy of Rock Band. To get it you’ve got to download it on PS3 & XBox.
#4: One Step Closer by Linkin Park
You don’t need a reason to love Linkin Park! They are great and this song is great. It isn’t a difficult song, as the band is rated a 1, but you do need a good lead singer (vocals are a 4) or you can really mess this song up. This song is on Rock Band 2.
#3: Closer by Lacuna Coil
This was another song that was originally on Guitar Hero 3 and I’m not sure why, but I fell in love with it. It isn’t what I would consider a “hard rock” song, but I found myself playing it over and over again. It is relatively easy so if you are into the more difficult songs then you probably won’t find this one up to snuff. None the less it is a great song! It is another one of Rock Band’s downloadable songs.
Tie for #1: Down With the Sickness & Inside the Fire by Disturbed
These two are tied for first place because they are both excellent and I listen to them over, and over, and over, and over (I think you get the point) again in my car. Disturbed rocks so hard and the vocalist David Draiman is amazing. I have wanted these songs on the game since the first time I heard them. The drums on Down With the Sickness are excellent and I love the guitar solo in Inside the Fire. The vocals of Down With the Sickness are probably one of the most difficult Rock Band has to offer (they are the 5 flaming heads) and the drums & guitar of both are pretty tough as well. Down With the Sickness is featured in Rock Band 2 and Inside the Fire is a downloadable song.
If this list doesn’t make you want to go out and buy all of the Rock Band games then you better head over to www.rockband.com and check out the other songs and game features, because you will most definitely be sold by the time you finish!
Sources: www.rockband.com, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Life_is_Beautiful_(song)
