SOB Sarkazein
12-10-2007, 03:32 PM
OK, part of the impetus for me to bother thinking about this is because, in our band, my girlfriend plays bass. She's not quite figure out how to strum in time, so those songs that are constant 16th notes practically break her wrist off (Fallout Boy, The Police's "Next To You", Iron Maiden's "Run to the Hills", and many more). She down-strums everything, so you can see how this would be a pain. I wanted some songs where the bass isn't an E-rider with a few flourishes thrown in.
Additionally, while there's some alternative stuff in there already (New Pornographers, Garbage, Yeah Yeah Yeahs), there's room for a lot more.
Finally, all three of these songs provide a challenge for all four participants. There's not a boring part among them. The bass line rolls, the guitar line rocks (and has a solo), the drummer doesn't have a straight-up 4/4 the entire time -- it gets syncopated -- and the singer, well the singer will be challenged a little. :)
With all that said, here goes:
Outside World - XTC (from Drums and Wires)
I picked this one because it's early on XTC, as they were transitioning from punk to very alternative pop. It's catchy, it's short, and it's a very upbeat tempo.
Outside World (MP3) (http://www.team-w4r.com/music/outsideworld.mp3)
Cyclops Rock - They Might Be Giants (from Mink Car)
This song is actually a pretty recent entry into TMBG's repetoire (2003 or so, I think), and many people don't really think of this band as pop/alternative. This is straight-up guitar/bass/drum pop music, with the expected TMBG lyrics, stops, and so on. It works on every level, especially for the Rock Band setup of instruments.
Cyclops Rock (MP3) (http://www.team-w4r.com/music/cyclopsrock.mp3)
Son of Sam - Elliott Smith (from Figure 8)
Elliott Smith (RIP) isn't necessarily known for "rocking out" as it were, but his music is contagious, and this is one where he sort of lets it all go. Keep in mind he plays most every instrument on all his songs, making this even more impressive. This was also in the movie of the same name.
Son of Sam (MP3) (http://www.team-w4r.com/music/sonofsam.mp3)
There's a lot more that I can come up with, but I think these three are consumer friendly enough to warrant consideration. While TMBG will easily give rights to this, XTC might be a problem as Andy Partridge is a bit arrogant (yet still a genius). As for Elliott Smith, I have no idea how difficult the rights may be to get.
~Sarkazein
Additionally, while there's some alternative stuff in there already (New Pornographers, Garbage, Yeah Yeah Yeahs), there's room for a lot more.
Finally, all three of these songs provide a challenge for all four participants. There's not a boring part among them. The bass line rolls, the guitar line rocks (and has a solo), the drummer doesn't have a straight-up 4/4 the entire time -- it gets syncopated -- and the singer, well the singer will be challenged a little. :)
With all that said, here goes:
Outside World - XTC (from Drums and Wires)
I picked this one because it's early on XTC, as they were transitioning from punk to very alternative pop. It's catchy, it's short, and it's a very upbeat tempo.
Outside World (MP3) (http://www.team-w4r.com/music/outsideworld.mp3)
Cyclops Rock - They Might Be Giants (from Mink Car)
This song is actually a pretty recent entry into TMBG's repetoire (2003 or so, I think), and many people don't really think of this band as pop/alternative. This is straight-up guitar/bass/drum pop music, with the expected TMBG lyrics, stops, and so on. It works on every level, especially for the Rock Band setup of instruments.
Cyclops Rock (MP3) (http://www.team-w4r.com/music/cyclopsrock.mp3)
Son of Sam - Elliott Smith (from Figure 8)
Elliott Smith (RIP) isn't necessarily known for "rocking out" as it were, but his music is contagious, and this is one where he sort of lets it all go. Keep in mind he plays most every instrument on all his songs, making this even more impressive. This was also in the movie of the same name.
Son of Sam (MP3) (http://www.team-w4r.com/music/sonofsam.mp3)
There's a lot more that I can come up with, but I think these three are consumer friendly enough to warrant consideration. While TMBG will easily give rights to this, XTC might be a problem as Andy Partridge is a bit arrogant (yet still a genius). As for Elliott Smith, I have no idea how difficult the rights may be to get.
~Sarkazein
