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Guitar Hero 2 Official Set List Released
willith writes "IGN has posted the official list, straight from RedOctane, of the 40 licensed tracks in Guitar Hero 2. There's a great mix of songs, running the list from 'stuff my parents like' (Allman Brothers) to 'music that kills' (Megadeth). You can get an early start with the GH2 playable demo in this month's Official Playstation Magazine, which contains four songs (Strutter, You Really Got Me, YYZ, and Shout at the Devil). For those about to rock, we salute you!" If some of the songs on the list are making you scratch your head, a helpful gent online has put together YouTube clips of the set list.
Freebird has a special place in Guitar Hero lore, since in the first game, one of the loading screens said: "They don't really want you to play 'Freebird'. They're just heckling you."
I think it's the final song of Guitar Hero 2 because it's meant to be a 10-minute endurance marathon. If they don't increase the difficulty of the solos, I'm guessing they'll at least spruce them up with some really challenging key combos. When people talk about GH2, it'll be like, "I know a guy who actually finished Freebird on Expert!"
My mom might be reading.
I assume it's for the same reason Donkey Konga did covers of the songs. Something along the lines that they're buying rights to reproduce the song, not the rights for the original recording of the song. That said, most of the covers in Guitar Hero are done very well. It took a few songs for my untrained ear to actually tell the difference. I think it was Infection that did it for me.
It's like sex, except I'm having it!
Oh, and where oh where is Stairway to Heaven?
Can't you read the sign?
There are 0x40000000 types of people: those who understand 32-bit IEEE 754 floating point, and those who don't.
That's right, they explained that in the videos on the origional Guitar Hero. They wanted the real versions but were either turned down flat or the band/artist wanted WAY too much money. That's why they used covers for all songs but the bonus tracks (which were all smaller bands, bands of employees, etc).
Because of the success of Guitar Hero they were able to get the origonals for some songs and that is why some tracks are not covers.
Harmonix didn't have that problem in their previous games (Amplitude and Frequency, both great) because they were made in conjunction with Sony Music and so Sony basically gave them the songs to use (which would be the smart thing to do for a band: free exposure). At least that's what I think was the case.
Comment forecast: Bits of genius surrounded by a sea of mediocrity.
Part of the problem is that they need the original master tracks to be able to create the "keysounds" (the sounds played when you strum a note). These aren't always easily obtainable... especially at a reasonable cost. Instead, you just commission a cover group to create their own for much cheaper. (If I recall correctly, the covers on the GH games are by WaveGroup, who have also done songs for Karaoke Revolution and Beatmania.)
God, I'll never forget the day that abomination of an album came out. I popped it into the CD player, listened to about 6 tracks and immediately returned it to the store. The one band I *NEVER* thought would sell out had released an album of songs with controversy-free meaningless lyrics, cut to radio time, with Bob Rock producing. And, if that wasn't bad enough, a FUCKING BALLAD! I could almost deal with them cutting their hair and not trashing as hard, but a FUCKING BALLAD?!?!
I left metal behind that day. If Metallica could sell out, anyone could.
-Eric
SJW: Someone who has run out of real oppression, and has to fake it.
It's time to move on now, it really is.
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