Needcoffee.com
PLEASE NOTE: “As an Amazon Associate, [Need Coffee] earns from qualifying purchases." You know we make money from Amazon links,
and I know you know this, but they make us say it anyway. More info, click here.

Can Rock Band 2 Withstand the Holy Throwdown of Guitar Praise?

Rock Band 2

Guitar Hero and Rock Band now have a new contender: Guitar Praise. No, I’m serious. Now you can rock out to “today’s most popular Contemporary Christian rock hits.” Why would anybody want a Christian-based Guitar Hero clone? Tom Bean, head burrito of Digital Praise, Inc., sez “People love the console guitar games on the market, but many would like more family-friendly songs and graphics.” They also put the lyrics on screen, which is apparently innovative. “Having the lyrics onscreen reinforces the positive messages present in Guitar Praise’s roster of songs, and allows everyone to take part in the game.” That’s right, so now when you want to rock out to Eric Carmen and Jars of Clay and…um…early Amy Grant…and…never mind. I don’t know any other Christian musical acts. Moving on.

Of course, not everyone is happy about this: Clearrawk, a company that was taking Guitar Hero and Rock Band games and editing out all the bad stuff so that people could rock out to “Sabotage” and not feel Satan’s pull, might get put out of business by this move. I suppose they’d better pray on it.

[ad#longpost]In the meantime, back in Saneville, Rock Band 2 released their list of songs. I’ve put them below at the bottom of this post for your perusal, but suffice it to say: I will destroy all comers for singing “Chop Suey.” I’m just warning you now.

Some notes that MTV pointed out in their press release: Axl Rose is debuting “Shackler’s Revenge” from Chinese Democracy on Rock Band 2. Probably because he figured bundled up with 83 other songs is about the only way anyone would buy it.

AC/DC is going to be on the game, the “first and only video game” to include them. Celine Dion version is unlockable.

Also, Bob Dylan‘s “Tangled Up In Blue” is on there. There are so many Rock Band singing jokes that could go with Dylan I’m just going to sit this one out.

And Rock Band 1 songs can be upgraded into Rock Band 2. The press release says “most of” the tracks. Here’s the full footnote they had on that:

Online connection required. Nominal fee required for export of RB1 soundtrack to compensate music licensors for expanded use. Fee still to-be-determined, but will be under $5. The list of exportable Rock Band 1 tracks has not yet been finalized as music licenses are currently in the process of being re-acquired.

You can pre-order Rock Band from Amazon here:

PS2: Special Edition / Regular Edition
PS3: Special Edition / Regular Edition
Wii: Special Edition / Regular Edition
Xbox 360: Special Edition / Regular Edition


Rock Band 2’s 84 Tunes
Artist Song Title Decade
AC/DC “Let There Be Rock” 1970s
AFI “Girl’s Gone Grey” 2000’s
Alanis Morissette “You Oughta Know” 1990’s
Alice in Chains “Man in the Box” 1990’s
Allman Brothers “Ramblin’ Man” 1970’s
Avenged Sevenfold “Almost Easy” 2000’s
Bad Company “Shooting Star” 1970’s
Beastie Boys “So Whatcha Want” 1990’s
Beck “E-Pro” 2000’s
Bikini Kill “Rebel Girl” 1990’s
Billy Idol “White Wedding Pt. I” 1980’s
Blondie “One Way or Another” 1970’s
Bob Dylan “Tangled Up in Blue” 1970’s
Bon Jovi “Livin’ on a Prayer” 1980’s
Cheap Trick “Hello There” 1970’s
Devo “Uncontrollable Urge” 1980’s
Dinosaur Jr. “Feel the Pain” 1990’s
Disturbed “Down with the Sickness” 2000’s
Dream Theater “Panic Attack” 2000’s
Duran Duran “Hungry Like the Wolf” 1980’s
Elvis Costello “Pump It Up” 1970’s
Fleetwood Mac “Go Your Own Way” 1970’s
Foo Fighters “Everlong” 1990’s
Guns N’ Roses “Shackler’s Revenge” 2000’s
Interpol “PDA” 2000’s
Jane’s Addiction “Mountain Song” 1980’s
Jethro Tull “Aqualung” 1970’s
Jimmy Eat World “The Middle” 2000’s
Joan Jett “Bad Reputation” 1980’s
Journey “Anyway You Want It” 1970’s
Judas Priest “Painkiller” 1990’s
Kansas “Carry On Wayward Son” 1970’s
L7 “Pretend We’re Dead” 1990’s
Lacuna Coil “Our Truth” 2000’s
Linkin Park “One Step Closer” 2000’s
Lit “My Own Worst Enemy” 1990’s
Lush “De-Luxe” 1990’s
Mastodon “Colony of Birchmen” 2000’s
Megadeth “Peace Sells” 1980’s
Metallica “Battery” 1980’s
Mighty Mighty Bosstones “Where’d You Go” 1990’s
Modest Mouse “Float On” 2000’s
Motorhead “Ace of Spades” 1980’s
Nirvana “Drain You” 1990’s
Norman Greenbaum “Spirit in the Sky” 1960’s
Panic at the Disco “Nine in the Afternoon” 2000’s
Paramore “That’s What You Get” 2000’s
Pearl Jam “Alive” 1990’s
Presidents of the USA “Lump” 1990’s
Rage Against the Machine “Testify” 1990’s
Ratt “Round & Round” 1980’s
Red Hot Chili Peppers “Give it Away” 1990’s
Rise Against “Give it All” 2000’s
Rush “The Trees” 1970’s
Silversun Pickups “Lazy Eye” 2000’s
Smashing Pumpkins “Today” 1990’s
Social Distortion “I Was Wrong” 1990’s
Sonic Youth “Teenage Riot” 1980’s
Soundgarden “Spoonman” 1990’s
Squeeze “Cool for Cats” 1970’s
Steely Dan “Bodhitsattva” 1970’s
Steve Miller Band “Rock’n Me” 1970’s
Survivor “Eye of the Tiger” 1980’s
System of a Down “Chop Suey” 2000’s
Talking Heads “Psycho Killer” 1970’s
Tenacious D “Master Exploder” 2000’s
Testament “Souls of Black” 1990’s
The Donnas “New Kid in School” 2000’s
The Go-Go’s “We Got the Beat” 1980’s
The Grateful Dead “Alabama Getaway” 1980’s
The Guess Who “American Woman” 1970’s
The Muffs “Kids in America” 1990’s
The Offspring “Come Out & Play (keep em separated) 1990’s
The Replacements “Alex Chilton” 1980’s
The Who “Pinball Wizard” 1960’s
Bonus Artist Bonus Song Title Decade
Abnormality “Visions” 2000’s
Anarchy Club “Get Clean” 2000’s
Bang Camaro “Night Lies” 2000’s
Breaking Wheel “Shoulder to the Plow” 2000’s
The Libyans “Neighborhood” 2000’s
The Main Drag “A Jagged Gorgeous Winter” 2000’s
Speck “Conventional Lover” 2000’s
The Sterns “Supreme Girl” 2000’s
That Handsome Devil “Rob the Prez-O-Dent” 2000’s

15 comments

  • My parents must never learn of Guitar Praise. That would be… I don’t even know. I can’t fathom how drastically my life would change. You see, they’re already fans of Guitar Hero and Our Lord and Savior. You know what’s worse than parents trying to sing Weezer? Yeah, you guessed it.

    But that’s why we have AC/DC. Bout damn TIME.

  • It is AWESOME that there is Guitar Praise!!! I have always wanted to play Guitar Hero but i never could because i would/will NEVER allow myself to listen to that music. Besides Guitar Praise is a lot of fun. I’m soooooooooo glad i bought it.

  • concerning the Article — well i thought it was guitar praise vs rockband 2 –
    Seems that the writer Had Never Even heard of most of today TOP Christian Rock Artists : DEMON HUNTER – With Blood Comes Cleansing – Disciple – Kutless – Santus real – sonnicflood ..that alone isnt issue – rather it seems that guitar praise was never used for review prior to this writting either —
    Rockband 2 has a complete song list Posted —
    where is Guitar Praise song list — I would expect one who is claiming to be writing about a subject ,expecially when pitching a comparison between the two or more products –suposably being reviwed — One would Actually Have to REVIEWD the product — meaning , HANDS ON , contacting the publisher for Info on release and content – as well stating that they are attempting to write an article on their product vs compitions product .. ANYWAY i not need to Bash anymore — Just that VERY DISSAPOINTED with webpage – article .. DO NOT RECOMEND any evaluation based on anything on this page other then COMMENTS by people ewho Actually have USED this product —
    SO to the Editor i say this —
    Get Right or Get Left —
    otherwords DO your homework —
    And leave the journalistic skills to those of us who actually take Pride in our work and strive to keep quality and respect allive in our field of work — or else , people who half wittedly throw junk like this up with a Heading as such is here to Draw hits to your web- will soon be finding your self at the Public library recerching actual journalists work in the HISTORY SECTION ..
    crash—– out !! !

  • To Kenny O I say this:

    Here is our Reviews section.

    Is this listed in our Reviews section? Wait. Let me check. No. It doesn’t appear to be.

    Why is that, I wonder? Is it because it’s not a review? Yes. That’s exactly why. It’s a funny little news story based on a pair of press releases.

    Because something has “Vs.” in the title does not mean it’s a review, bucko. Look: here’s a post entitled “Doctor Who vs. Eminem vs. Benny Hill.”. HINT: It’s not a review either.

    You’re bitching at me that I didn’t write a review in a post where I wasn’t even supposed to be writing a review, in other words.

    So to the Kenny O I say this:
    Get a clue or look like a fucking idiot.

    P.S. This was a review of your comment, however. I give it three cups for hilarity. Good luck in middle school.

  • Kenny O made a fair observation; I also read this article expecting a little more detail on this Guitar Praise thing. And then you dropped an “F-bomb” on him? If you’re in America you’ve got the right to say it……. just like I have the right to navigate away from this page. Good bye, Widge, and good luck in your “journalism” career.

  • Dear Someone: I would have been fine with Kenny O’s observation had he made a simple observation instead of turning it into a tirade against me for not fulfilling his expectations of an article I wasn’t trying to write. And, you know, the fact he can’t spell didn’t help his case.

    Also, I’d like to point out that your idea of “journalism” is pretty hilarious if you read an article meant to entertain and expected journalism. I realize that we’re surrounded by entertainment masquerading as news a lot and you might have trouble telling one from another, but come on–if the “Clearrawk” joke didn’t clue you in, then I don’t mind you navigating away from this site, because you’re clearly not our audience. Don’t visit The Onion, either. They’ll really make you angry.

    And what is this “If I’m in America” nonsense? If I was in Canada, for example, would you send the secret police after me?

  • I am a little disappointed to say that this is not a review, and as soon as I read “No, I’m serious.” I new this was going to be fairly lopsided. Next time please maybe actually research it? You did so well with Rock Band 2. There needs to be more games like Guitar Praise out there. This is not a review…

  • Keygan: Duly noted, but I’d like to point out that you used the word “review” in your comment in two more instances than I did in the actual post.

  • Yo widget, not sure what you are trying to say about your “saneville” comment. Anyhow… there is actually a much better guitar/band game for Christians than Guitar Praise. The game was just released and it’s called JAMband. It’s totally cool and you can do a whole lot more than Guitar Praise can do. For example, you can play guitar, bass and drums (any combination of 2) and you can plug in up to 4 mics for up to 6 playerstotal . The songs are great too as they are all songs you hear everyday on the radio. The graphics aren’t as good as Rock Band but obviously WAY better than Guitar Praise. Check it out. http://www.christianbandgame.com

  • Lenny: Don’t mind me, sometimes I just think funny things. Although thanks for the headsup about the game…that’s actually quite informative. If you’ve got basically the Christian equivalents of Rock Band and Guitar Hero going at it, then there’s obviously a big market for that stuff. And I’m glad somebody is making money.

  • I too would like to say that Widge both sucks and blows.
    I find the idea of him having an opinion on anything as both bad manners and blindingly inhumane.
    I expected a review of 19th century economic strategies when I came here and have been left hurt and betrayed that he has not written about them at all. Not even a little!
    I will take my google search elsewhere in future.

    Hugs and kisses

  • So everyone is freaking out about this being a bad move…
    first off let me list off one or two artist that is found on the list that i know ALOT of people that like…and they refuse to even be labeled as “Christian or the like”

    Lets see…

    Skillet- with their songs Rebirthing and The older I Get
    Also we have Thousand Foot Krutch, TobyMac, Relient K

    See there is more out there for those who are younger and in to Christian Rock… we like a lot of the same music..and most people don’t know this.

    Many of the bands listen to today are actually Christian bands that have gotten a few of theirs songs on the secular radio… lets name a few of those…

    Switchfoot
    Relient K
    Skillet
    Flyleaf
    Red
    Demon Hunter
    Day of Fire
    Pillar
    even Superchic[K] is out there more then most think…
    So really? it is that bad..and yes it might actually give Rock band and Guitar Hero a run for it’s money. But isn’t it a good thing to have clean but awesome music out there?? Really it isn’t that hard to rock out to music that is actually decent and has clean and good lyrics…aka Skillet.

    that is all i have to say!

  • Rose: I think there’s a lot more freaking out in the comments than there is in the actual post, but I take your meaning. I will say that if there’s a Christian Rock Band vs. Christian Guitar Hero rivalry going–and it certainly seems like that’s the case–then obviously it’s not a bad move, at least from an economic point of view. If the companies and the bands are making money hand over fist then I say more power to them. However, when they announce Christian DJ Hero I reserve the right to chortle. I’m declaring that here and now.

    Has somebody created the Wii game where you get to fight Goliath using the wand for your sling? Just asking.