TMBG, Natasha Bedingfield headline Sims 2 FreeTime soundtrack
by Griffin McElroy 
{ Feb 10th 2008 at 8:00PM }
We generally don't get very excited about Sims 2 expansions. Don't get us wrong, we love the game (who doesn't), but the thought of dropping $29.99 for a few digital pairs of slacks just seems a little excessive -- there are real pairs of slacks we would invest in, had we the extra income. However, when looking over a recent press release for the game's latest addition, Sims 2 FreeTime, something radical caught our eye -- the game's soundtrack would feature Simlish remixes of actual recording artists, including the Twin Quasars of Rock themselves, They Might Be Giants.
Joining the Giants are Brit-pop princess Natasha Bedingfield, the small indie army of I'm From Barcelona, and a handful of other international artists, each providing a Simlish remix of one of their popular songs. It's a pretty awesome mix of off-the-mainstream tunes -- perhaps it will inspire Harmonix to explore some alternative jams for Rock Band DLC. Like, for instance, anything off of "Flood".
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Mr.ESC @ Feb 10th 2008 8:06PM
That's awesome (seriously, I hope it includes all the game songs) but when the hell are we going to see the Sims 3?
F@ck EA.
Qitsyoj @ Feb 10th 2008 8:06PM
Fuck YEAH!
ThornedVenom @ Feb 10th 2008 8:13PM
Simlish is probably the best artificial language in the world next to Klingon.
Mr.ESC @ Feb 10th 2008 8:24PM
For a second there I tohught your post said "English" instead of "Klingon",hehehehe.
Can anyone speak fluid Klingon?
ThornedVenom @ Feb 10th 2008 9:17PM
I sincerely applaud the person who could, but I think it'd be highly unlikely because this is a blog for nerds, not for geeks.
Deozaan @ Feb 10th 2008 9:32PM
I think you've got that mixed up. This is a place for geeks, not nerds.
Geeks are people who are into technology. Nerds are socially inept.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Geek
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nerd
ThornedVenom @ Feb 10th 2008 11:28PM
You're confusing between geeks, nerds and dorks. (Wikipedia is NEVER a valid source of information)
- Geeks are capable of creating technology.
- Nerds are enthusiastic about technology.
- Dorks are social inepts.
upz @ Feb 10th 2008 8:36PM
Particle Man, Particle Man
Doing the things a particle can
What's he like? It's not important
Particle Man
Jon "Pac" Maness @ Feb 10th 2008 8:56PM
OMG! If Rock Band really did some DLC for TMBG then I'd have to pick it up ASAP at the CC. Seriously, let's see a Tenacious D or Spinal Tap downloadable catalog after the love to the 2 Johns then I'll be a happier nerd.
Jerk Face @ Feb 10th 2008 9:04PM
Flood was one of the best albums evar.
What About Bob? @ Feb 10th 2008 9:12PM
Flood was an amazing album. However, I must say, that most of the stuff off of Apollo 18 would be better suited for Rock Band, being more in tune with the general theme of the game.
That being said...Birdhouse In Your Soul would be kickass....
Zoesch @ Feb 10th 2008 9:58PM
I'm with the Dr. here, Flood is a flawless album... Apollo 18 has some incredible songs (Fingertips, My Evil Twin, The Statue Got Me High, I Palindrome I) but also a lot of filler, something that has become an unfortunate trademark of all subsequent TMBG albums. But I'd love to see Figertips in Rock Band, played continuously like they do live.
Anni @ Feb 11th 2008 1:13AM
If I could pick one song for Rock Band or Guitar Hero, it's probably be Don't Let's Start. And if I could pick two, Don't Let's Start and Till My Head Falls Off.
Lucas Siegel @ Feb 10th 2008 9:13PM
"something radical caught our eye -- the game's soundtrack would feature Simlish remixes of actual recording artists"
This isn't really new. Every Sims 2 expansion has featured music by new actual recording artists. Black Eyed Peas did simlish songs for The Urbz, several "indy" groups did songs for University, Pets had Pussycat Dolls and Flaming Lips among others, Barenaked Ladies, Junkie XL, MxPx, Depeche Mode, Anthrax, The Veronicas, and Lily Allen are just a few of the others. But hey, other than that, you're right, this is really "something radical."
Are you SURE you've ever played The Sims 2 before?
JodyAnthony (death by snoo-snoo) @ Feb 10th 2008 9:15PM
flood is one of the best albums ever recorded
Justin McElroy @ Feb 10th 2008 9:17PM
Everyone should express their TMBG love in this thread and then I'll send it to Harmonix.
Doug Kaplan @ Feb 10th 2008 9:33PM
Ok Justin...
I love TMBG. I have seen them 12 time in concert and actually called Dial-A-Song when John would actually record a song on there each day.
Love TMBG and seeing them get any kind of mainstream love is great. They tend to get mainstream love when their name isn't mentioned, like for example, did you know they wrote Dr. Evil's theme song AND the theme song to the Daily Show? They did a lot more pop culture stuff but it's amazing how much they do that no one knows them for beyond Particle Man and Istanbul.
/rant
Veko @ Feb 10th 2008 9:45PM
For some wierd reason I like Mink Car best. Flood, though, is up there on my list.
Geoffrey Sperl @ Feb 10th 2008 10:27PM
@Velko: Mink Car is an underrated classic with some of TMBG's best work. I do love Flood, but I agree that Mink Car is the better album.
Plus, since I was listening to them when Flood came out, it always makes me feel old when the first song mentions the "brand new record for 1990."
Zoesch @ Feb 11th 2008 2:07AM
The problem with "Mink Car" for the hardcore TMBG fans is that half of the songs were available before in compilations and singles and some (She think she's Edith Head or Man It's So Loud In Here) sounded better in their prior incarnations... that led to some backlash from the fans.
History lesson over: I do like Mink Car a lot, the fact that they revamped Man It's So Loud In Here just to pay homage to (And take the piss on) New Order was pure awesomeness.
Deozaan @ Feb 10th 2008 9:33PM
I mean not *necessarily* nerds. I'm sure there are some nerds here.
WhatIsThatThing @ Feb 10th 2008 9:33PM
The song featured in the new Sims expansion is Take Out the Trash from their latest amazing album for adults, The Else. My favorite album, personally, is John Henry, but I don't know if there are any songs suitable for Rock Band on it. Also, that idea is win, Mr. McElroy. Also also, how many other bands have their own wikis (http://www.tmbw.net)? Or their own podcasts? TMBG FOR PRESIDENT 2008.
superbagman @ Feb 10th 2008 11:59PM
Oh yeah, John Henry is a bad ass album. I'd love to play I should Be Allowed To Think in Rock Band. But I would be eternally happy if Ana Ng as playable.
vizh @ Feb 10th 2008 11:53PM
Between this and Dunkin Donuts, TMBGs are only a small step away from world conquest. Well, at least of the population that stays inside to eat donuts while playing on the computer.
Double J @ Feb 10th 2008 9:45PM
I'd kill for I Palindrome I Rock Band DLC. Seriously. I'd kill anyone one of you for that privilege, and I hope you'd do the same.
Zoesch @ Feb 11th 2008 1:58AM
Harmonix needs to make an accordion peripheral for Rock Band so people can play Why Does The Sun Shine or Shoehorn With Teeth...
OhJustSomeRandomGuy @ Feb 10th 2008 9:45PM
Rock Band NEEDS some TMBG right now. I've seen the March list. Pathetic.
4-song pack:
Cyclops Rock
Birdhouse in your Soul
Don't Let's Start
Dr. Worm (just for the drum part.)
Do it.
britishben @ Feb 11th 2008 2:21AM
change out Cyclops Rock for "Nothing's Gonna Change My Clothes" and I'll get behind that.
Veko @ Feb 10th 2008 9:47PM
I was considering not picking up this expansion, though I own all the others, and just waiting for Sims 3. Sadly for my wallet I will not pass up TMBG.
And, yes, if TMBG is offered on Rock Band, I will buy Rock Band.
Del_Far @ Feb 10th 2008 10:04PM
Totally awesome! I love TMBG, just saw them last week at the Beacon Theater concert, and I really hope they'll d what the Barenaked Ladies did and release the mp3s online so everyone can listen, because I'm certainly not buying every past expansion of the Sims to hear it.
And did I totally get ANOTHER photo of mine put up on Joystiq? http://www.flickr.com/photos/alexerde/80417904/in/set-1718836/
It seems so, which is awesome!
Geoffrey Sperl @ Feb 10th 2008 10:30PM
You don't have to buy all of the expansions to use the most recent one. That's the beauty of The Sims (both the first and the second): You can cherry-pick the expansions you want, leave the ones you don't.
The Artist formally known as Jesus @ Feb 11th 2008 12:22AM
though according to Deozaan you'd be a geek
The Artist formally known as Jesus @ Feb 11th 2008 12:23AM
wow, this is the first time the reply system failed me
ogvor @ Feb 11th 2008 1:03AM
Awesome, I love They Might Be Giants!
Anni @ Feb 11th 2008 1:08AM
They should just use Dinner Bell. Some of that sounds like Simlish anyway.
"Twin Quasars of Rock?" You guys really delved into the archives for that reference, so well played!
Anni @ Feb 11th 2008 1:09AM
Also, why hasn't 32_Footsteps commented yet? Now's your chance, dude!
Alan @ Feb 11th 2008 10:43AM
who are they must be giants?
Justin McElroy @ Feb 11th 2008 11:20AM
This recording I have on, the new one, did you hear it?
Nate @ Feb 11th 2008 8:18AM
I'd do unspeakable things for TMBG Rock Band DLC! You hear me Harmonix? Unspeakable!
baby sea tuna @ Feb 11th 2008 8:36AM
They Might Be Giants is the only band I hate so much that I actually banned my college roommates from playing them in our dorm room.
Dale @ Feb 11th 2008 10:20AM
We should not be celebrating the furthering of Natasha Bedingfield's career.