the ’Zine

Alt Country & Jimmy Eat World DLC

Filed under: DLC News / Tags: jimmy-eat-world, drive-by-truckers, lucinda-williams, neko-case, steve-earle, old-97s, 1990s, 2000s, country, pop-rock / 18 comments

Remember the "Rock Band Goes Country" DLC that we unveiled last month? A lot of you were shocked and stunned at the idea, but wound up loving the stuff anyway. This week we're back for an encore, but no Nashville this time around: It's a rougher and rockier package with the leading lights of the alt-country music. And if you like to rock with a little bit of twang, we think you'll love this pack from the get-go.

You'll likely recognize all the names, but the song titles are less obvious: Instead of greatest hits, we've looked a little deeper for songs that fit the game. For instance, everybody knows that Steve Earle is the king of alt-country, but "Satellite Radio" isn't exactly what you expect. Drawn from his latest album Washington Square Serenade, it's a totally modern, groove-based song with a chorus that will stick in your head all day—Beck fans will find common ground in the production by Dust Brother John King. Earle moved to New York a few years back, so it's no surprise that he's added some city to his country.

Lucinda Williams can break your heart with a tearful ballad, but she's also got a wicked swamp-rocking side. We went for some of that with "Can't Let Go"—one of the few Lucinda songs that she didn't write, but she grabs and claims it. Try and match the expressive vocal she does on this one. If another female singer is as beloved by modern country fans, it would have to be Neko Case, who already made her Rock Band debut as a member of the New Pornographers. We had requests for a solo Neko track afterwards, so "People Got a Lotta Nerve" will be a treat for fans: It's from her new album Middle Cyclone, which isn't even out till next week.

The final two tracks are rockers, pure and simple: If you liked playing "Green Grass & High Tides," you'll love the Old 97's "Time Bomb," which features even hotter licks and an even more frantic pace. The Drive By Truckers' last album, Brighter Than Creation's Dark was a sweeping state-of-the-union epic, but "3 Dimes Down" finds them in guitar-slinging roadhouse mode. Stay tuned for an interview with this mighty band, coming later this week.

If this package still doesn't grab you, maybe that's because you never listen to anything that isn't emo: You want a Jimmy Eat World three-pack and you want it now. You've played "The Middle" until you can do every part on Expert and you need more fast. So now you have it: "Futures," "Sweetness" and "Lucky Denver Mint" are highlights from three consecutive Jimmy albums; all find the band at its more aggressive and are full of that soul-baring goodness.

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countryboy...

So glad to see more country. i can't wait to see some classics on there too... plz!? some Waylon and Willie?

Monday, April 6, 2009

Shillelagh Law...

Thank you for the Old 97s.

Monday, March 2, 2009

deusg3...

I have to agree with the other posts, the last little while the selections have been weak, there does haqe to be more selection of "CLASSIC" bands, I reaslly look forward to "Download Tuesdays" but not so much lately, maybe it is easier and cheaper to get the lesser known indie song licenses????

Saturday, February 28, 2009

foofighter18...

Steve Earle YES!

Saturday, February 28, 2009

nanners...

I hate country

Friday, February 27, 2009

Ghistos...

I don`t agree with most of the people here. I want every style of music with my RB. I'm happy with the country songs. Happy with Rush album, Judas Priest album, RHCP album, ACDC live.. You introduce me to new bands and I appreciate that. Sure, I want Led Zep, Tom Petty, More Maiden but Hey, there's only 52 Weeks in a year. Keep your good work guys.

Friday, February 27, 2009

Zaraeleus...

I agree with everyone, there is definately a quanity vs quality issue here. quality is pretty low. ive noticed a 3 week gap of good vs crap. very suprized to have no Greenday, KoRn, Slipknot at this point. and country??? w-t-h seriously? I bought rock band not country band. Also why is it that a few songs from rb1 didnt import to rb2? RTTH and Sandman more specifically.

Friday, February 27, 2009

DethByAudio...

fail, i love metal but you guys havent released sooooo many nessesary bands that made rock/metal/alt what it is. the only dlc ive bought in the last few months are Lamb of God (thanks but boring song choice), Megasus, Rob & White Zombie.

and wtf is "HARDCORE TO THE BONE DEATH METAL" hardcore and death metal are different things, unless your talking about Deathcore, which we havent got yet, but id love some JobForACowboy, Winds of Plague,Bring Me The Horizon, Suicide Silence, or any other Deathcoreish band on my personal Setlist.

Friday, February 27, 2009

XGRIFFINX...

Thank You! You made the right choice of songs on the jimmy Eat World pack! I bought it and love it! Seems like these threads always turn into wish lists... Again, a million thank yu's for bringing us more Jimmy. Here's to hoping everyone eventually gets the DLS they were hoping for like I just did.

Friday, February 27, 2009

dna6971...

i have to agree with the majority DLC has been weak for a while! but the jimmy eat world pack was refreshing no more indie stuff come on i buy a lot but have'nt been lately

Friday, February 27, 2009

PDid3020...

I AGREE COMPLETELY. I do love Jimmy Eat World, and i bought the pack, but where's the old GNR, more Red Hot Chili Peppers, RAGE ( who doesnt want to play a master recording of Killing in the Name on Rockband, as opposed to the cover on GH2), SUBLIME, more Blink 182, Audioslave, Cheap Trick, Godsmack, Collective Soul, Rise Against, Hoobastank, Senses Fail, TOM PETTY, Pink Floyd, Aerosmith, Def Leppard, Bon Jovi, The Eagles.

NO MORE INDIE CRAP PLEASE!!!! and NO MORE HARDCORE TO THE BONE DEATH METAL!!!

Thursday, February 26, 2009

DeathGrip...

I have to agree with most here. we need more real rock. we need some seether, maybe some incubus, korn, some old GNR, even some new stuff like bullet for my valentine, 3 days grace, chevelle, slipknot, or nickelback. anything than the fratellis or hannukah christmas songs!! are we serious??? lets rock for real!!

Thursday, February 26, 2009

Cleverpun...

HECK YEAH. I stop following the DLC for a week and you guys release "Time Bomb" - my single favorite Old 97's song. I personally prefer the studio version, but that may've been too tricky to sing.
The Lucinda Williams song is a great pick too.
Keep up the great selections guys!

Thursday, February 26, 2009

drew <3's tha 90's...

I TOTALLY AGREE WITH CHAOS72!!!! WERE ARE THE REAL ROCKERS???...CO- ME- ONE THE FRATELLIS???? WHO THE HELL ARE THEY??? DID THEY COME UP WIT THAT NAME AFTER WATCHIN THE GOONIES!!!!????? WERES SUBLIME? WERES GREENDAY?? WERES MORE RATM!!??? WERES MORE NIRVANA!!!? WERES STAIND? WHY DOES GAY GUITAR HERO GET TOOL? WHAT DO WE GET? LAME ASS PEOPLE LIKE DEVO OR THE COLBERT REPORT RIP OFF SORRY EXCUSE OF A SONG AND ARTIST...WE NEED SOME P. ROACH...DEFTONES...TEMPLE OF THE DOG...STABBING WESTWARD...BETTER CHILI PEPPERS!!! WHO GOES TO SLEEP WISHIN EVERY MONDAY NIGHT YOU GUYS RELEASE CALIFORNICATION!!?? OR SCAR TISSUE OR SOME ALICE IN CHAINS?? WE NEED SOME REAL ARTIST!! NOT NO NAME INDIE COFFESHOP ARTIST...THEY HAVE STARBUCKS TO PROMOTE THEIR CRAP....LET US ROCK!

Thursday, February 26, 2009