THIS. IS. SPINAL TAP. You got a pack of their newer stuff and it was okay (it cracks me up that a fictional band has "lesser" work), but this is really what everyone was waiting for, right? This is the real Spinal Tap here. And it'll run you $18 for it all, but you're guaranteed to get rocked tonight tonight.

All scores are out of 5.

Spinal Tap - This Is Spinal Tap

"(Funky) Sex Farm"

Aside from the rather enjoyable beginning, a totally boring, could-do-it-with-my-eyes-closed snooze.

"(Listen to the) Flower Children (Reggae Stylee)"

Funny as it is, the song itself is, once again, boring and very simplistic; note-chord chord-note at the saaaame tempo gets old really quick.

"America"

The intro is the same kind of 'meh' as above, but once the song kicks in the awesome really starts to flow. Really, it's not that hard (that's what she said) but the ho-po portions are so much fun that you won't care one bit. Lots and lots of fun.

"Big Bottom"

This is just the case of a song that shouldn't have ever been on Rock Band (it's all bass), but it's better than many charts I've seen with an actual guitar. Also, it contains my musical kryptonite (synths). Still, it's firmly planted in the boring camp.

"Cups and Cakes"

No notes for the first 30 seconds? And even when they do come, they end up creating perhaps the easiest song ever? Yeah, I'm gonna pass...

"Gimme Some Money"

Chordy to the max, horribly repetitive and I think I actually fell asleep during both the solos. Another one not to go near.

"Heavy Duty"

Yeah, it's a lot of the same riff for the first bit of the song but, for one, the riff is MASSIVE and will put hair on your chest, and the solos are shockingly tough. And the beginning surprised me many times. Excellent and fun as hell.

"Hell Hole"

Big and crunchy riffs, even if it's not the most exciting thing... until the solo and then it becomes the best song so far. Does a couple interesting things aside from that though, and kudos for NOT charting the organ like Smokin'.

"Rock 'n Roll Creation"

Entirely fine Sweet Child O' Mine-esque plucking, though the solos are an absolute waste.

"Stonehenge"

On its own it's not the greatest (chords, boring, yada), but the solo alone makes the song worth checking out as it might be the best, most hilarious thing in Rock Band.

"Tonight I'm Gonna Rock You Tonight"

Roundup

• Buy: America, Heavy Duty, Hell Hole, Tonight I'm Gonna Rock You Tonight
• Fans Consider: Rock 'n Roll Creation, Stonehenge
• Avoid: (Funky) Sex Farm, (Listen to the) Flower Children (Reggae Stylee), Big Bottom, Cups and Cakes, Gimme Some Money

Song of the Week: "Tonight I'm Gonna Rock You Tonight"

Not the best album Rock Band has ever released, but we did get one of my favorite tunes off of Guitar Hero II (thereby eliminating yet another reason to throw on the game occasionally. C'mon Harmonix, make me never want the game again!) which makes it all worth it. Though I would suggest just picking several songs that are your favorites as a majority of the album is pretty dull.

We're coming up soon on Rock Band Network. What all will be released when that hits? And what will happen to this column? Will I lose my mind completely? It's very very possible. Only time will tell.

Until then, more Sonic Youth. Nao.

Written by :

Aaron

 

---

Add this page to your favorite Social Bookmarking websites

toowicked4u

Rock Band Song Review: Week of 8.6.09 Aug 07 2009 14:29:53 I still love this album...probably because I've seen the movie a million times. Let me know when you want to rock this album over Live, Aaron. BTW, how can there be a guitar line on "Big Bottoms" when it's played with an all-bass band?

#11714