Aeropodcast #99: The Good, The Bad, and the NPDs
This week on the Aeropodcast, Koss, Fourhman and Joe looked at the August NPD numbers to see how the PS3 and 360 price cuts did for the last few days of that month, along with the surprisingly strong numbers for one flying rat. Also, we look at the slight drop in the Madden franchise, that left Joe wondering if Madden was finally reaching its tipping point with its fans.
From there, Fourhman and Joe decided to discuss their feelings about The Beatles: Rock Band and how it has not lived up to their visions of what the series could be. The two of them also wonder if they are living in a parallel universe, as they seem to be the only ones that have been kind of down on the game. Koss had not bought the game yet, so see if the pair’s discussion swayed him for or against the title.
Also, it was mentioned that our illustrious Fourhman would be putting together a flipnote cartoon while we recorded the podcast, and you can see the above results. All of the animations came from reader suggestions in the forums. If you would like us to do more things like this, let us know. We are considering playing a multiplayer title while we are on the podcast live, so maybe you can make a PS3 suggestion, since that seems to be about the only common denominator.
As always, the podcast is put together by our mixmaster, Stephen Munn, and his Apple Mixentosh. Please make sure to review the podcast on iTunes, hit up the forums and contribute to the community, and leave us a voice mail at 206-339-8362. We would appreciate it. Our music is from Revolution Void, and they can be found at www.revolutionvoid.com.
Download the podcast from here or subscribe to the podcast using one of the services below: Also make sure to review us on iTunes.
10 Comments »
Leave a comment!
Play a multiplayer game on a PS3? Are you guys on the same planet as the rest of us?….:)
sweet downloading now and if you do a podcast on a game how about killzone 2.
and send me an invite.
1 MORE EPISODE UNTIL 100! WOOO!!!
Disagree that all of the early Beatles songs sound the same. Similar only because they're the same guys with the same instruments and same voices…but they were just paying the bills at that point.
Pop/bubble gum stuff is just that way. It's a style. They had a formula.
Once they took over the world, things got crazier and greater.
I'm glad that it feels more like Guitar Hero 2 in some respects…because I liked GH2. I'm a guitar guy. Vocals & drums…extras. Novelties.
Not looking forward to singing “Helter Skelter” or “Oh Darling” or anything where Lennon shreds his vocal chords. The other songs, sure.
Again, your level of Beatles fandom probably dictates your enjoyment of this game. Just like any band-specific thing.
I believe you can hear me stutter my disagreement with Koss on that one!
Indeed. I noticed an angry, stylistic effect at that very point in your Flipnote animation. It came through in your art.
Also, great T-shirt: “What's a Zune?”
Hey don't get me wrong. I love me some Beatles. In fact I own 3 out of 4 of the original CD double-set releases (the Blue and Red one). Only 3 out of 4, because a friend in high school borrowed one and never returned it.
But Tony, you already admitted it, the earlier part of the Beatles career was pop rock, and albeit their own, but still generic in its formula and application. I'm not saying their not good songs, but there's not crazy specific, chord-mashing, lick's-setting-strings-on-fire about it. In fact, about one of the only standouts in that category would be Daytripper.
It's the same problem that I expressed about much of the DLC for Rock Band that I would want: it's good music, but simplistic in its play.
The Beatles were always about catchy melodies. Even later on. I don't think this is a game you should jump into expecting any strings to be sat on fire.
And part of my problem is that I got over the music snob feeling that Pop is a dirty word a while ago. If a tune is well-built and catchy, whatever. It may not be a masterpiece for the ages…but, it seems, The Beatles were able to make ENOUGH masterpieces for the ages out of Pop that this game is a big deal all this time later.
It's generic in formula and application WITHIN THE BEATLES UNIVERSE. No one did things like they did at the time. And EVERYONE did things like they did afterward.
“And part of my problem is that I got over the music snob feeling that Pop is a dirty word a while ago. If a tune is well-built and catchy, whatever.”
I can't agree enough with this. I came the same conclusion a few years ago after realising that I don't care what purported genre or style a track is, or even who it's by; if it makes me wanna sing or dance then it's fine by me.
I still disagree with my AP brethren – I'm loving Beatles Rock Band. Like Tony I'm all about the guitar – with vocals coming as runner up – and I've really enjoyed it. Yes, I finished it three hours, yes, it's a short setlist, but considering I dislike 80% of the GH setlists (and GH 5 was only released last Friday in the UK, so as I've been playing that this weekend too it's fresh in my mind) 45 songs I know and love is fine by me. The animation is fabulous – amazing – and I love the studio chatter.
I am PO'ed that some of the tracks that should've been included there will be DLC, though. That does seem to be a bit of a rip off. But I honestly think that's my only complaint. It's a 8/10 for me.
V.
p.s. No, I didn't shake my fist at that AWFUL accent – but I did snort my tea out of my nostrils and embarrassed myself on a train packed with commuters. Thanks, guys. :p
p.p.s. Cavern Bar!? Cavern BAR??! PHILISTINE!
p.p.p.s. Anyone else finding the I Am The Walrus music video REEEALLLLY off-putting?!
“And part of my problem is that I got over the music snob feeling that Pop is a dirty word a while ago. If a tune is well-built and catchy, whatever.”
I can't agree enough with this. I came the same conclusion a few years ago after realising that I don't care what purported genre or style a track is, or even who it's by; if it makes me wanna sing or dance then it's fine by me.
I still disagree with my AP brethren – I'm loving Beatles Rock Band. Like Tony I'm all about the guitar – with vocals coming as runner up – and I've really enjoyed it. Yes, I finished it three hours, yes, it's a short setlist, but considering I dislike 80% of the GH setlists (and GH 5 was only released last Friday in the UK, so as I've been playing that this weekend too it's fresh in my mind) 45 songs I know and love is fine by me. The animation is fabulous – amazing – and I love the studio chatter.
I am PO'ed that some of the tracks that should've been included there will be DLC, though. That does seem to be a bit of a rip off. But I honestly think that's my only complaint. It's a 8/10 for me.
V.
p.s. No, I didn't shake my fist at that AWFUL accent – but I did snort my tea out of my nostrils and embarrassed myself on a train packed with commuters. Thanks, guys. :p
p.p.s. Cavern Bar!? Cavern BAR??! PHILISTINE!
p.p.p.s. Anyone else finding the I Am The Walrus music video REEEALLLLY off-putting?!