R.E.M. (orange) crushes in new Rock Band video

by Ross Miller { Sep 27th 2007 at 9:45PM }

There is something inherently wrong with having R.E.M. frontman Michael Stipe's voice paired up with a muscular, long-haired man in a sleeveless t-shirt. It just feels wrong. Regardless, that's exactly what we see in the above video that reveals the band's contribution to EA's upcoming Rock Band.

IGN also previews the game, noting that we shouldn't expect as many solo-centric songs as one would find in Guitar Hero, since the game's focus is on enjoyment for an entire band. That said, IGN assures there will be tracks to appeal the budding (virtual) shredder. We tend to think there are more than enough bands out there -- Mastodon, Minus the Bear, Tool, Neil Diamond, etc. -- where every instrument part is an enjoyable challenge. The article also discusses the Fender Stratocaster-inspired guitar controller and its special effects switch.

Rock Band is (still) due out sometime in November.

[Via X3F]

Tags: ea, electronic-arts, electronicarts, harmonix, r-e-m, rock-band, rockband

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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

tmacairjordan87 @ Sep 27th 2007 9:54PM

wow i wasn't very good in hard mode for guitar hero 2, but i have to say that looked incredibly easy and didn't look like it wsa going as fast

copa @ Sep 27th 2007 10:04PM

I've been singing this song in the shower for 20 years. About goddamn time someone's going to give me some points for it.

vidGuy @ Sep 27th 2007 10:12PM

The crowd looks very dynamic, very cool. Has pricing been confirmed for this game?

Truepatriot @ Sep 27th 2007 10:31PM

just thought i should let everyone know.rockband is coming to the ps2 in the us too.
http://www.gamespot.com/shows/on-the-spot/?om_act=convert&om_clk=multimodule&tag=multimodule%3bpicks%3btitle%3b6
gamespot revealed it at the end of on the spot.

Matthew @ Sep 27th 2007 10:40PM

uhhh that looks really weak, and word up to minus the bear, would def enjoy playing some of that

Roddie @ Sep 27th 2007 11:21PM

that should be "there are", not "they're"

Matt B @ Sep 27th 2007 11:23PM

Mastadon?!?

You would need more than one guitar and the Mastodon drums would be unplayable, except by the Mastodon drummer.

Good luck funding that.

Richard @ Sep 28th 2007 2:28AM

I'm sure the game we'll have plenty of songs on it with multiple guitar parts, but will probably just have the lead guitar being done by a player. As for the drums, I whole-heartedly agree. Brann's the fucking man with those sticks.

RT @ Sep 27th 2007 11:50PM

"Regardless, that's exactly what we see in the above video that reveals the band's contribution to EA's upcoming Rock Band."

Jesus, call it anything but EA's. All EA is doing is distributing the game. Harmonix created it and MTV Games is publishing it.

Fullmetal Salchemist @ Sep 28th 2007 12:26AM

Actually, "MTV Games' Rock Band" sounds CONSIDERABLY worse.

Fullmetal Salchemist @ Sep 28th 2007 12:24AM

They need to include some songs that will allow the budding (virtual) vocalist to flex their laryngeal prowess.

I'm looking at you: Tool, Radioead, and Queen.

entitynein @ Sep 28th 2007 12:32AM

Did you say Radiohead? Your wish is their command:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E0fw6FPxPhU

a robot @ Sep 28th 2007 12:46AM

Creep doesn't count as Radiohead really.

And come on, non-AFTP WB R.E.M.? I mean, I have to buy the game now, but they could have thrown us a bone with "It's The End...". Sing that. Or any other good IRS song. Begin the Begin? I Believe? Radio Free Europe? At least it isn't Losing my Religion or Shiny Happy People...

Fullmetal Salchemist @ Sep 28th 2007 2:17AM

Well, Creep is better than no Radiohead song at all. Although I'd prefer something from the OK Computer or The Bends eras; namely My Iron Lung, Airbag, or Let Down. Kid A/Amnesiac are too synth-driven to be Rock Band friendly.

Still, that's 1/3 bands I've named. Guitar Hero had Killer Queen; Rock Band will have Fat Bottomed Girls, maybe?

Charron @ Sep 28th 2007 10:45AM

a robot- Or, how about Wolves, Lower; Gardening At Night; or Carnival Of Sorts (Box Cars). Hell, throw all of Chronic Town up as a half-price album (it's only an EP).

Plenty of stuff off Murmur that'd work too. I just wanted to go even further back with the R.E.M. knowledge than you. :P

Sean @ Sep 28th 2007 12:12PM

As far as Radiohead goes, I would love some Just (You Do It To Yourself).

Libb @ Sep 28th 2007 1:54PM

If they put Tool's Ticks & Leeches on Rock Band, I will literally buy a 360, the full Rock Band bundle, and an extra guitar, just so I can play that song in every way it was designed, because it would be INSANE. The guitar is fantastic, the bass parts are sick, Danny Carey RIPS IT UP in the drums on that song (easily one of the greatest drum performances ever), and Maynard went so hardcore on the vocals in that song that he had to rest his voice for 6 weeks afterwards before he could record any more for Lateralus. I would love any Tool song (other good ones would be Vicarious, Parabola, Schism, and Forty-Six & 2), but if they can put T&L on there, I'm sold.