Friday Featured Track for Sept. 11, 2009
The song that has been on my brain the most this week:
- “Here Comes the Sun,” The Beatles, from the 1969 album “Abbey Road.”
“Here Comes the Sun” has long been among my favorite Fab Four songs, and the Beatles have been on all music lovers’ minds frequently this week. Remastered versions of the band’s entire catalog were released Wednesday, the same day the anticipated game “The Beatles: Rock Band” made its debut.
But this hopeful song also has been on brain since today is the eighth anniversary of the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks. It was such a dark day, but the way our country bonded together was heartening. It is my fervent hope and belief that our country and world will continue to find better days as time goes by.
With George Harrison’s bright lyrics, acoustic guitar and Moog synthesizer, with the rest of the band hand-clapping along, how can you not feel a sense of hope when you listen to “Here Comes the Sun”?
-BAM
“The Beatles: Rock Band” out today
Fab Four fans rejoice: The hotly anticipated video game “The Beatles: Rock Band” reaches stores today.
The game is available on Xbox 360, Nintendo Wii and Playstation 3.
Gamers can buy just the software or invest in the “The Beatles: Rock Band” limited edition premium bundle, which along with the game itself includes the controller version of Paul McCartney’s Höfner bass, The Beatles branded “Rock Band” drums, microphone, microphone stand and special content.
The game itself includes 40 of the legendary band’s hits, as well as additional downloadable content to be released in the future. It features a variety of gameplay environments drawn from The Beatles’ career, including the Cavern Club, Abbey Road and Shea Stadium.
“The Beatles: Rock Band” also is the first music game to offer harmonies as part of gameplay, which means multiple singers can perform on the same songs and accept the challenge to recreate The Beatles’ distinctive vocal blend.
I know the game is on the birthday and Christmas lists of many of my family members and friends, so I’m betting this will be one of the biggest game releases of the year.
In honor of the game’s debut, remastered versions of The Beatles’ entire catalog also are being released today.
-BAM
New releases for Sept. 8, 2009
Brooks & Dunn (Associated Press photo)
Hitmaking country duo Brooks & Dunn, which includes Kix Brooks and former Tulsan Ronnie Dunn, will release the final album of their musical partnership today. The greatest hits compilation is titled “#1s… And Then Some.”
Brooks & Dunn announced Aug, 10 that they would be parting ways after 20 years of making music together. They will make their break after “The Last Rodeo Tour” in 2010.
In other music news, remastered versions of the entire Beatles catalog are due out Wednesday.
The special re-release of all the Fab Four’s albums coincides with the big release Wednesday of the hotly anticipated game “The Beatles: Rock Band.”
Here is a list of this week’s new CDs, DVDs and books, from Amazon.com, VideoETA.com and BarnesandNoble.com:
CDs
Brooks & Dunn, “#1’s…And Then Some.”
A Fine Frenzy, “Bomb in a Birdcage.”
Phish, “Joy.”
Howie Day, “Sound the Alarm.”
Boys Like Girls, “Love Drunk.”
Peter White, “Good Day.”
DVDs
Dance Flick
Crank 2: High Voltage
Valentino: The Last Emperor
The Office – Season Five
Criminal Minds: The Complete Fourth Season
Fringe: The Complete First Season
The No. 1 Ladies’ Detective Agency
Thomas & Friends: Hero of the Rails
Harper’s Island: The DVD Edition
Bedknobs and Broomsticks: Enchanted Musical Edition
Mickey Mouse Clubhouse: Mickey’s Adventures in Wonderland
Books
“The Last Song” by Nicholas Sparks.
“The Conversation: How Black Men and Women Can Build Loving, Trusting Relationships” by Hill Harper.
“Dark Visions: The Strange Power; The Possessed; The Passion” by L.J. Smith.
“Day after Night” by Anita Diamant.
“Dexter by Design” by Jeff Lindsay.
“A Gate at the Stairs” by Lorrie Moore.
“The Guinea Pig Diaries: My Life as an Experiment” by A. J. Jacobs.
“Level 26: Dark Origins” by Anthony E. Zuiker.
“The Magician’s Elephant” by Kate DiCamillo.
“The National Parks: America’s Best Idea” by Dayton Duncan.
“Official Book Club Selection: A Memoir According to” by Kathy Griffin.
“A Quiet Belief in Angels” by R.J. Ellory.
“Shooting Stars” by LeBron James.
“Taking the Leap: Freeing Ourselves from Old Habits and Fears” by Pema Chodron.
“Traveling with Pomegranates: A Mother/Daughter Memoir” by Sue Monk Kidd.
“You Were Always Mom’s Favorite: Sisters in Conversation Throughout Their Lives” by Deborah Tannen.
-BAM
Bonus: 3D’s Wednesday Video Spotlight
Well, BAM’s been wanting me to post again because I haven’t for a while, so here I am again. Since she’s been a little busy with other things lately, I thought I’d pick up the slack for the boys over at Rooster Teeth. If you are a Red vs. Blue fan (and you should be!), then you will be excited by the arrival of the trailer for the new series “Recreation.”
Also, the boys are branching out from machinima projects (those made with game engines) and into live action. They’ve done several live action projects lately. My favorites are the “RT shorts” which showcase what the guys are like around the office (hint: they are hilarious). I’ve added links to a couple of my favorites below. As with all things Rooster Teeth, please beware: they are funny but foul!
-3D
Beatles promote “Rock Band” video game
Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr at E3 video game conference Monday. (Associated Press photo)
Surviving Beatles Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr appeared Monday during the Microsoft presentation at the E3 video game conference in Los Angeles to promote the upcoming game “The Beatles: Rock Band”
They were joined by Yoko Ono, John Lennon’s widow, and Olivia Harrison, George Harrison’s widow, according to the Associated Press.
The game will include 45 Beatles songs. Another hit, “All You Need Is Love,” will be released on the Xbox 360 for download, with proceeds going to Doctors Without Borders.
“The Beatles: Rock Band” will be released on Sept. 9. I cannot wait.
-BAM
“King of Kong” star Steve Wiebe trying to regain “Donkey Kong” record
Former “Donkey Kong” world champ Steve Wiebe is trying to take back his title at the Electronic Entertainment Expo.
Wiebe’s successful quest to break the “Donkey Kong” record was featured in one of my all-time favorite documentaries, 2007’s “The King of Kong: A Fistful of Quarters.”
Hot-sauce mogul Billy Mitchell eventually regained the world title from Wiebe and is the current record-holder.
My colleague Matt Price over at Nerdage has the “Wiebecam” embedded and is following the progress of Wiebe’s new quest to become the “King of Kong.” Check it out by clicking here.
-BAM
Rock Band goes Country with Toby Keith
Toby Keith performs "She's a Hottie" at the 2008 Academy of Country Music Awards in Las Vegas. (Associated Press photo)
The mega-popular Rock Band video game is going country this week, according to CMT.com. Six of Oklahoma star Toby Keith’s songs go on sale this week in the Rock Band Music Store.
The Keith hits available for download are Beer for My Horses, I Love This Bar, She’s a Hottie, Should’ve Been a Cowboy, Who’s Your Daddy? and How Do You Like Me Now?! All the tracks are original master recordings.
The tracks are $1.99 each or the six pack costs $9.99. The Toby Keith Six-Pack is available in the Xbox LIVE Marketplace today, and it will go on sale Thursday in the PlayStation Store.
-3D
Friday Featured Track
The song that has been on my brain the most this week:
- “E-Pro,” Beck, from his 2005 album “Guero.”
Not only is this rock/rap/pop fusion song incredibly infectious, it’s also one of my favorites to play on “Rock Band 2.” “E-Pro” taught me a valuable lesson about my musical skills: I couldn’t effectively rap if a gangsta held a gun to my head, but I can nah-nah-nah with the best pop princesses out there.
Credited to Beck, the Beastie Boys and the Dust Brothers, the lead-off single of “Guero” represents what makes Beck a uniquely talented artist. It’s inventive, eclectic and gets stuck in your head like nobody’s business.
The driving guitar riffs and frantic drum beats, Beck’s quirky cadence on the evocative but enigmatic vocals and of course, those irrestible nah-nah-nahs keeps your head bobbing along until the song abruptly ends.
Of course, you can’t talk about “E-Pro” without talking about the surreal music video created by the London artist group Shynola. The video, posted here courtesy VH1, features Beck rising from a grave to cavort around a bizarre animated landscape.
-BAM
Get creative with children’s gifts
Shapescapes at the Oklahoma City Museum of Art’s Museum Store (Photo by David McDaniel/The Oklahoman)
These finger puppets are some of the kids items offered at the Sam Noble Oklahoma Museum of Natural History in Norman. (Photo by Paul Hellstern/The Oklahoman)
From Sunday’s Life section of The Oklahoman.
Give gifts kids will love
Present possibilities run from high-tech to handmade items
It’s a Christmas scenario all parents dread: After the effort and expense of shopping, their child gets more excited about the crumpled wrapping paper and empty box than the actual present.
From high-tech stuffed animals to environmentally friendly tea sets, this holiday season offers many creative gift ideas for parents willing to look beyond the usual options.
Everyone loves a puppet show, and the Sam Noble Oklahoma Museum of Natural History in Norman carries hand-knitted finger puppets in a variety of species, from turtles to turkeys. All ages, $4.50.
The music of Oklahoma native Carrie Underwood, Johnny Cash and George Strait are converted into soothing lullabies in the “Hushabye Baby!” CD series. Infants; $16.98; www.hushabyebabymusic.com.
A colorful Muppet-like character named eebee helps tykes play and learn in the quirky ebee’s Adventures toy, book and DVD line, which includes a cute plush bowling set. Infants and toddlers; $17.95 to $38; Barnes and Noble and www.eebee.com.
This year’s Kohl’s Cares for Kids program includes books and plush toys featuring longtime favorite Curious George. The special edition books and toys are $5 each, and net profits go to children’s health and education efforts. Ages 2-8; at Kohl’s stores.
An 18-inch-tall cloth Strawberry Shortcake doll complete with berry-scented hat is in this year’s catalog from the venerable Madame Alexander Doll Co. Ages 3 and older; $44.95; www.madamealexander.com.
Children can sip green tea or grow green beans with Green Toys’ plastic tea sets or indoor gardening sets made from recycled milk jugs. Ages 3 and older; $26; Sam Noble Oklahoma Museum of Natural History.
Glo-E Plush Animals are snuggly stuffed monkeys, puppies or teddy bears with seven-color shifting light shows inside. Ages 4-10; $21.99; www.glo-e.com.
Oklahoma City Museum of Art Discovery Packs include watercolors, a sketch pad and other supplies to help kids experiment in a variety of media. Ages 5-10; $25.
Learning Resources Weather Center includes a thermometer, barometer and hygrometer in a case, making it ideal for budding meteorologists. Ages 5 and older; $40.95, Science Museum Oklahoma.
California sculptor Peter Mayor developed Shapescapes building toys to get children creating. Ages 6 and older; $35; Oklahoma City Museum of Art.
Children can get a whiff of the celebrity life when they design their own fragrances with Scientific Explorer’s Perfumery. Ages 8 and older; $19.95; Science Museum Oklahoma.
“Star Wars” fans can turn their Ninetendo Wii remotes into a pair of light sabers for more lifelike gaming fun with the Thrustmaster: Glow Saber Duo Pack. Ages 8 and older; $34.99; www.amazon.com.
-BAM
My take: “Rock Band 2″
Between the 84 new songs to the wireless peripherals, “Rock Band 2″ improves on the already outstanding concept of creating a cohesive band experience through a video game.
My family first played “Rock Band” last summer at my husband’s cousins’ house in Florida, and we really got into fun of playing rock star together.
So, for my older son’s combined Christmas and birthday gift (that’s the upside of a late-year birthday, you can combine to get bigger, better presents), we picked up the new “Rock Band 2 Special Edition,” which includes the microphone, drums and guitar.
This time out, the drums and guitar are wireless, which is much more convenient. As an added bonus, the introduction of the wireless components has driven down the price of the earlier versions, so we were able to pick up a used a guitar with a cord for about $20. This allows us to have both a guitarist and bass player perform together.
My experience with “Rock Band” was limited, but it seems that the biggest improvement to the game is the addition of 84 new songs. It’s a diverse lineup representing many different eras and subgenres of rock. AC/DC, Metallica, Nirvana, Pearl Jam, Jethro Tull, Panic at the Disco, Kansas, Megadeath, Modest Mouse, Rage Against the Machine, Bon Jovi and more all have songs in the game. My son Chris and husband Patrick were most pleased with the inclusion of Journey in the new game.
“Shackler’s Revenge,” the first Guns N’ Roses single in more than a decade, from the upcoming and long-awaited album “Chinese Democracy,” is one of the new songs. In my opinion, that idea is cooler than the actual song itself.
Even better, the game is compatible with all the songs from the original “Rock Band” and any songs you uploaded for it. So, if you already owned “Rock Band” or can pick up a used copy cheap, you can get a really robust selection of songs.
The sequel also includes a No-Fail option that makes it a lot friendlier for first-time users. In fact, we attended tonight a Halloween party some friends were hosting and one of the attendees brought “Rock Band 2.” We were able to even let the little kids play without worrying that the game would penalize us.
That really is the strongest endorsement I can give “Rock Band 2″: It is the ultimate good-time game. We had people of a variety of ages and skill levels all playing together and having a great time. All that’s required, besides the game and console, are a love of music and willingness to have fun.
-BAM
