Game and Music Reviews by Young Adults
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Both the music and the game reviews this month are about rock and roll, old-school style. Stone Temple Pilots return to their grunge roots, while Green Day debuts in its very own Rock Band game. Each can be purchased for less than the price of a single concert ticket, and both can be played over and over again...
Stone Temple Pilots. Stone Temple Pilots (Atlantic Records)
Stone Temple Pilots released their first new record in almost a decade after the band members took a break from each other and became involved in other projects. Their new self-titled disc finds Scott Weiland and his bandmates doing what made them popular in the first place.
STP starts off in their enduring garish grunge-pop rock style with the tracks "Between the Lines" and "Take a Load Off." Weiland and Deleo do what they do best-rocking choruses and perfect guitar solos. The group countrifies themselves on "Hickory Dichotomy" and shows the pop power of "Cinnamon," which is surprisingly fresh sounding. The big draw as always with STP is the vocal talent of Weiland, whether he doing his best David Bowie impression on "First Kiss on Mars" or one of Steven Tyler on "Huckleberry Crumble." Hopefully this is not the last of Stone Temple Pilots, but an indication of more good things to come.-Sara F., grade 11, Floral Park (NY) Memorial High School
Green Day: Rock Band (MTV Games/Harmonix)
Band-themed music games are really taking off and Green Day: Rock Band is a true testament to this trend. For fans of Rock Band, it's important to point out that this gaming experience is more in tune with The Beatles: Rock Band than Rock Band 2. Green Day's latest offering follows the career of this alternative/punk trio, journeying through their best songs created over the last 15 years. Harmonix's choice to use only 47 tracks is a little disappointing, especially since Green Day is a great band with tons of hits. The game offers players three different options, including a career mode that allows you to earn photos and a video of the band as reward points. The songs are fun to play no matter what instrument you choose and the concert venues create the feel of a real performance.
Overall, it's a great game and a tribute to Green Day that's definitely worth your while, though Harmonix could have kicked it up a notch to make the gaming experience truly awesome. Rated T for Teen. For Xbox 360, Playstation 3 and Wii.-Brian G., grade 12, Floral Park (NY) Memorial High School
