Is HMX is gonna have to go more mainstream?

[Brock_Landers]

While there's no disputing some great tracks in GHII, they could still pretty much throw in any old obscure thing and as long as the song rocked we'd be happy to shred some notes. I imagine that this principle will work for future Rock Band drummers as well.

However, it occured to me the other day that when it comes to doing vocals, it's a much trickier bag of fish. All the people I know who aren't ashamed to do a bit of sing-a-long (many of whom are GH fans) unfortunately don't share the same ideal when it comes to picking up a mic and belting out some tunes. As in they really only enjoy singing songs that they already know, or have a decent idea of due to their popularity.

Even though most of us on these forums are more likely salivating for the gats and drums, it would kinda suck if you're picking up the game with dreams of being a lead singer in a rock band and then are only familiar with fifty percent or less of the setlist.

I also imagine it to be much tougher to just "wing it" blindly as you can do with the other instruments on easy/medium levels when it comes to song's you're unfamiliar with.

But then do they only go for mainstream hits? A more known song doesn't neccessarily mean it's going to have awesome guitars or drums...

I dunno, just thinking out loud. I've got faith in Harmonix and their new MTV rub.. but still, this game is gonna be a b*tch to balance for every player, I rekon

[BeckRokk]

Thinking about it, I suppose you're right. There's a learning curve for playing the instruments in the game, but vocals are a different thing altogether. While I would love some off-kilter, more unknown tracks that have great instrumental parts, it really limits the lyrics to do so. I would really be ticked if Harmonix caved and got all kinds of current crap off of the radio like She Wants Revenge or whatever else your modern rock station plays. However, since they need that appeal to sell units considering the initial investment price of this thing, it may wind up being a necessary (and highly unfortunate) evil.

[WildWalker]

Dudes,

Do you think the vocals will change with Easy/Med/Hard/Expert? I mean, with guitars (and presumably other instruments) they can change the number/rate of notes, but they cant really drop 'words' so how will the difficutly work?

WW

[Edgehopper]

Wildwalker: I'd bet difficulty levels for vocals will be like the difficulty levels in Karoke Revolution--the judging is less harsh on easy mode, where you don't have to hit as many of the notes.

[WildWalker]

Wildwalker: I'd bet difficulty levels for vocals will be like the difficulty levels in Karoke Revolution--the judging is less harsh on easy mode, where you don't have to hit as many of the notes.

I guess, the singing has got to be the hardest aspect of the game to measure though. It would be cool if there was an option to say that your drummer/guitarist is singing, they would then get extra points for doing two roles.

WW :)

[vichnaiev]

Karaoke is obviously the less fun part of the game, PLEASE don't let it ruin guitars and drumms. If you gotta sacrifice the singing in favor of the rest (less popular, more fun songs), then just do it.

Most people won't be interested in simply "playing along" to support singing of crap radio songs, that would go against the basics of the game. You would get: song A people only sing, but no one plays because the instruments are so damn repetitive and boring. Song B no one wants to sing, they only want to drumm it because it's only decent drumming in the whole game. Song C people only care about guitars and other stuff like that.

[WildWalker]

Some people will like a song for the lyrics, some for the guitar(s) and some for the drumming. So different people will be attracted to similar songs for differing reasons.

That is why the guys writing this game have to get the 'lobby' system bang on. I guess the best thing to be able to do is to have a choice where you can hang in a 'song' lobby (for a particular song) saying you want to be lead, or drums or vocals etc. Or you could hang in an 'instrument' lobby where you more or less don't care about the song, but want to definately be a 'drummer' for example.

At the end of the day, if you join a 'band' you are going to have to play/sing stuff you are not so keen on as well has stuff you rate highly.

WW

[vichnaiev]

Some people will like a song for the lyrics, some for the guitar(s) and some for the drumming. So different people will be attracted to similar songs for differing reasons.


I would like that, as long as THERE IS an actual reason to be attracted to most songs. But, please hmx, don't come to us with popular songs just to make singing more friendly and sacrifice the instruments. But hey, you guys have proven TWO times (GH and GH2) that you really know how to choose songs, so I probably don't have any reason to fear. :)

[Seattle_Sound]

Actually i am fearing the setlist alot because you-know-who is involved on this one. MTV!!!!!!!!!!! MTV has pretty much done everything in their power to completely destroy modern music. Now they dont even play music, we just watch dating shows and game shows. I am very scared that I might have to be "jamming" to Fallout Boy. Oh lord please not Fallout Boy.

[vichnaiev]

Actually i am fearing the setlist alot because you-know-who is involved on this one. MTV!!!!!!!!!!! MTV has pretty much done everything in their power to completely destroy modern music. Now they dont even play music, we just watch dating shows and game shows. I am very scared that I might have to be "jamming" to Fallout Boy. Oh lord please not Fallout Boy.

I could be wrong, so forgive me if this information isn't accurate, but MTV was a partner on the first GH and it still had a GREAT song list. Maybe they have a different kind of partnership now, but I STILL BELIEVE IN YOU GUYS !!!! =)

Yeah, I just confirmed it. Look at http://www.guitarherogame.com/gh1/partners.php
MTV is right there.

[VocalKnight]

It'll definitely be a tricky balance. I don't think they should have to sacrifice one aspect for another, as long as the songlist is big enough. With enough songs, they could afford to have some that favors each instrument a little more. That would probably allow the best chance for everyone to be satisfied.

[Seattle_Sound]

Oh, so MTV was involved in GH1. I wonder how much influence they had because it sounds like they are gonna be a major player in this one. As long as I have my Nirvana I'll be happy.

[benjamin]

Oh, so MTV was involved in GH1. I wonder how much influence they had because it sounds like they are gonna be a major player in this one. As long as I have my Nirvana I'll be happy.


With a band such as Nirvana MTV would be a huge help to getting ahold of them.

But MTV does not ruin music in anyway, you seem to think that people only listen to what is on MTV when in actuality MTV plays what people listen to.

Your idea of MTV is like the cart leading the horse.

I personally think MTV is a great thing, a big name in the music industry such as that will really open up the minds of those who hold the songs rights.

[Brock_Landers]

I think maybe the best thing for HMX to do is to approach vocals more like a bonus feature perhaps. So, "hey, if you you really like this song and want to rock out.. knock yourselves out.. but if not, don't worry too much coz all the meat and potatoes is in drum and guitar anyway."

I mean, the die-hard karaoke nuts will be all over Singstar and Karaoke Revo anyway, and it'd probably be pointless trying to usurp that. (although you never know.. this whole "band" thing could potentially take the world by storm hehe)

[benjamin]

Vocals have an interesting advantage in that you can sing while playing any of the other instruments.

Would not be a bad thing to try.

[Seattle_Sound]

With a band such as Nirvana MTV would be a huge help to getting ahold of them.

But MTV does not ruin music in anyway, you seem to think that people only listen to what is on MTV when in actuality MTV plays what people listen to.

Your idea of MTV is like the cart leading the horse.

I personally think MTV is a great thing, a big name in the music industry such as that will really open up the minds of those who hold the songs rights.

Well I know that when I turn on MTV I only see shows like "Next" and "The Real World". Music videos are few and far between and it seems to me like the music on MTV is mostly rap or pop. Maybe its a drought in good music like we saw in the 80's but to me MTV doesnt play good music if even any at all. Like I said just give me some Nirvana and I'll be happy.

[mysteriousdrc]

With drums, it's closer than the guitar parts to the real thing than simply hitting buttons on a guitar fretboard. With vocals it's even closer. To tell you the truth, I think it's kinda pointless to include the mic stuff - not many people are going to be hardcore about it as much as drum/bass - I personally don't care about it too much... I wish that instead of the vocal part they included some type of keyboards. The mic can always be added in as kind of an extra feature that you can do while playing another instrument.

[benjamin]

Well I know that when I turn on MTV I only see shows like "Next" and "The Real World". Music videos are few and far between and it seems to me like the music on MTV is mostly rap or pop. Maybe its a drought in good music like we saw in the 80's but to me MTV doesnt play good music if even any at all. Like I said just give me some Nirvana and I'll be happy.

The reason you see so much Rap and Pop is because that is the music of this day and age. Musical Tastes change from generation to the next. It justs happens. Yet luck would have it in which we live in a day and age in which it is ten-fold easier to get whatever music you want. The internet facilitates this in a way never before seen.

So rejoice, you have the power to find your own damn music.

[Brock_Landers]

By telling him to look elsewhere than MTV, I can't quite tell if you're backing up his statement or not?

;)

(probably the wrong thread for all this though)

[benjamin]

By telling him to look elsewhere than MTV, I can't quite tell if you're backing up his statement or not?

;)

(probably the wrong thread for all this though)

I am saying he does not have to listen to popular music anymore, he can find whatever music he wants, so he should stop complaining.

[VocalKnight]

With drums, it's closer than the guitar parts to the real thing than simply hitting buttons on a guitar fretboard. With vocals it's even closer. To tell you the truth, I think it's kinda pointless to include the mic stuff - not many people are going to be hardcore about it as much as drum/bass - I personally don't care about it too much... I wish that instead of the vocal part they included some type of keyboards. The mic can always be added in as kind of an extra feature that you can do while playing another instrument.

Look at American Idol. You think there aren't lots of people out there who'd jump at the chance to sing with a "band"? I don't see Guitar Idol or Drum Idol happening anytime soon.

I'm sure there'll be plenty of people out there who want to do the singing part more than the others. I'm a singer in real life, so that's obviously what I'll be going for first. I'll do the guitar as well, and maybe try the drums sometime, but the singing is what'll get my money on release day.

[Seattle_Sound]

I am saying he does not have to listen to popular music anymore, he can find whatever music he wants, so he should stop complaining.

Man I'm not trying to complain, believe me I dont care about MTV, I'm just a little nervous that they will try to put that emo and pop **** on the game. I know everyone has different tastes but dont overdo the Fallout Boyesque thing.

[chrisrocs]

Dudes,

Do you think the vocals will change with Easy/Med/Hard/Expert? I mean, with guitars (and presumably other instruments) they can change the number/rate of notes, but they cant really drop 'words' so how will the difficutly work?

WWaewfdqwedrftyuiwsq

ERTGRETRE

[benjamin]

Man I'm not trying to complain, believe me I dont care about MTV, I'm just a little nervous that they will try to put that emo and pop **** on the game. I know everyone has different tastes but dont overdo the Fallout Boyesque thing.

You are using Emo wrong as well. Emo is a shortening of Emotive Hardcore a genre of music coming out of DC in the 80s. What is refered to as "Emo" no-a-days is not really emo.

[BeckRokk]

You are using Emo wrong as well. Emo is a shortening of Emotive Hardcore a genre of music coming out of DC in the 80s. What is refered to as "Emo" no-a-days is not really emo.

All it takes is a trip to Wikipedia to know the difference. Remember, it's Sunny Day Real Estate, not From Autumn To Ashes.

[Seattle_Sound]

You are using Emo wrong as well. Emo is a shortening of Emotive Hardcore a genre of music coming out of DC in the 80s. What is refered to as "Emo" no-a-days is not really emo.

Yeah I know that, its just that I dont know what else to call that ****. I mean what kind of music is Fallout Boy,MCR,and Hawthorne Hights? I hate to call it alt because thats a disgrace to any of the early alt rock pioneers like Sonic Youth. I know its not really emo but I cant really categorize it.

[BeckRokk]

Just call it what it is: crap.

[benjamin]

Yeah I know that, its just that I dont know what else to call that ****. I mean what kind of music is Fallout Boy,MCR,and Hawthorne Hights? I hate to call it alt because thats a disgrace to any of the early alt rock pioneers like Sonic Youth. I know its not really emo but I cant really categorize it.

It is alternative or sometimes pop/punk. Why is it insulting to call it what it is? Even if you do not like those bands it is in no way detrimental to Sonic Youth to have people play in the same genre.

People get offended to easily about this ****.

[Seattle_Sound]

It is alternative or sometimes pop/punk. Why is it insulting to call it what it is? Even if you do not like those bands it is in no way detrimental to Sonic Youth to have people play in the same genre.

People get offended to easily about this ****.

Well its like people who say they like punk rock and you are like cool, what bands do you like? Then they say Green Day and you are like what the ****, people dont even know what 80's punk sounded like. I just dont think those mainstream bands like MCR and FB are even close to late 80's, early 90's alt.

[pntbllrspdr]

It will indeed be tough. Today's music, I think would be easier and more fun to sing, but the guitar would probably be extremely repetitive and easy. It'll be hard to find songs that satisfy both. And there's probably some practice session or something where you can familiarize urself with the lyrics

[benjamin]

Well its like people who say they like punk rock and you are like cool, what bands do you like? Then they say Green Day and you are like what the ****, people dont even know what 80's punk sounded like. I just dont think those mainstream bands like MCR and FB are even close to late 80's, early 90's alt.

So? Music changes. 80s Punk is different from 70s Punk, hell British 70s Punk is different from New York 70s punk.

[Seattle_Sound]

So? Music changes. 80s Punk is different from 70s Punk, hell British 70s Punk is different from New York 70s punk.

Do you really consider Green Day punk? That **** is not punk, maybe some of their earlier stuff like Kerplunk, but how can you listen to a song like "Wake Me Up When September Ends" and call that band punk? And yeah music changes but that doesnt mean it gets better. I think its changed from better to worse.

[cyan1de]

It sounds like you're out of your element, SS. He didn't even touch on Green Day, so please just can the cliché "I hate modern pop/punk music and everything on the radio sucks" argument. You're not proving anything by disliking recent Green Day releases.

[Seattle_Sound]

It sounds like you're out of your element, SS. He didn't even touch on Green Day, so please just can the cliché "I hate modern pop/punk music and everything on the radio sucks" argument. You're not proving anything by disliking recent Green Day releases.

lol ok I'll just shut up.

[daneish7]

Wouldn't break my heart to see MCR and FB.

As "mainstream" as they are, they've got simple, catchy riffs, tight solos, and clear, poetic vocals, the same elements that make Queen the phenomenal group it is. It's a more theatrical rock, but nothing lesser about it.

[cyan1de]

I'd have to admit they're pretty catchy, but unfortunately I don't get the same happy feeling from having Panic At The Disco or MCR or any of those bands that I get from stuff like Queen. In fact, it gives me a rather profound urge to repeatedly dash my head against the concrete. But that's just one man's opinion.

[benjamin]

I get a good feeling listening to MCR, though I have only listened to The Black Parade album and I have no urge to listen to older stuff, seems like it has a lot of vampires in it.

There are some MCR songs I like more then some Ozzy Osbourne songs, but I prefer Crazy Train, Diary of a Madman, Mr. Crowley, and, well, basically Randy Rhoads over MCR.

Though what do I care if they put one song I don't like? I will play it anyway, I will enjoy playing, and then I will go on to another one of the songs.

[vichnaiev]

Do you really consider Green Day punk? That **** is not punk, maybe some of their earlier stuff like Kerplunk, but how can you listen to a song like "Wake Me Up When September Ends" and call that band punk? And yeah music changes but that doesnt mean it gets better. I think its changed from better to worse.

I totally agree. The closest you'll get to the real thing today is millencolin and they are not THAT good, at least they are not ****.

[benjamin]

Ska Punk is still strong and that is an offshoot of Punk. Plus there are many Punk bands still around, they are just underground.

[hmxsean]

Honestly if you casn't find any good punk these days then either A: You aren't looking or B: You're a curmudgeon who is looking for something to complain about. I always think it is wicked funny when people go online and start complaining that there is no good music these days and it was so much better back in the day. The truth is when you think back you remember the good music and filter out the bad. Right now there is a ton of good stuff and a lot of people working very hard to make amazing music. Is it going to be the easiest to find? Absolutely not, but the best music of an era is rarely the easist to find.

[Seattle_Sound]

Honestly if you casn't find any good punk these days then either A: You aren't looking or B: You're a curmudgeon who is looking for something to complain about. I always think it is wicked funny when people go online and start complaining that there is no good music these days and it was so much better back in the day. The truth is when you think back you remember the good music and filter out the bad. Right now there is a ton of good stuff and a lot of people working very hard to make amazing music. Is it going to be the easiest to find? Absolutely not, but the best music of an era is rarely the easist to find.

Well I have to say I'm not exactly in on the underground scene so would you reccomend anything? I guess I'm really just not looking hard enough.

[hmxsean]

Have you heard Gallows? A lot of cool stuff coming out of England/Ireland/Scotland right now. The problem with punk is it becomes very easy to start copying yourself and others as it is pretty minimal.

[Seattle_Sound]

Have you heard Gallows? A lot of cool stuff coming out of England/Ireland/Scotland right now. The problem with punk is it becomes very easy to start copying yourself and others as it is pretty minimal.

I'll check them out

[vichnaiev]

I'll check them out

Me too. I'll post my thoughts about them here later. Till there I'll keep hearing Bad Religion. =)

[hmxsean]

Bad Religion rules too. Ain't no one disrespecting them. I saw them awhile back, maybe 10 years, and they were awesome.

[benjamin]

I enjoy this Punk offshoot known as "Ska Punk". In fact I will be going to see a show with Reel Big Fish, Streetlight Manifesto, Catch 22, and Less than Jake.

I love that brass section.

[VocalKnight]

Sounds like a fun show! I'd love to see that.

[newwaytodie]

Rise Against is my favorite punk band of this era.

[sushi111]

Well so far the songs have been fantastic, so I wouldnt worry to much. While its true we are more likely to see Black Hole Sun than Jesus Christ Pose, that dosent mean thats anything bad.

[Dismissile]

Bad Religion rules too. Ain't no one disrespecting them. I saw them awhile back, maybe 10 years, and they were awesome.

Bad Religion is my favorite band so if you could put like...their entire catalog into rock band as DLC I will give you lots of money! I'd even be willing to pay GH2 360 DLC prices for it! Oh snap!

[kaiserkreb]

Bad Religion rules too. Ain't no one disrespecting them. I saw them awhile back, maybe 10 years, and they were awesome.

Refused - The Shape of Punk to Come

buy it. NOW

[kaiserkreb]

Not sure why I quoted that statement, BTW...