Maybe we're just overreacting to a rhythm video game played with real musical skill, but this one's not to be missed. What we have on hand here is a flute, a rather quirky girl, and a microphone-equipped copy of Rock Band, which accepts aural tones as well as button mashes for input. The result of this eclectic combination is a 98% accuracy score, but how she gets there is the truly awesome part. Video's after the break, and be patient -- action doesn't pick up until a minute into it, but once it starts you'll be glued till the end.
On one hand, what's happening here is very simple: Rock Band's singing feature just senses pitch, not words, so it's perfectly reasonable that a flute—or indeed almost any instrument—could do the trick. On the other? This is art.
The musical cosmos have been tilted out of balance for quite a while now, violently thrown askew sometime between when the first fake guitar rolled off an assembly line in China and the first time a child recognized the Beatles on the radio as "that song from my Xbox!" Today, as we watch a young lady with a flute totally pass for a Very Serious Yelling Man with a facial tattoo, it feels like, in some small way, order has been restored.
We've come back around to another Monday, but don't fret. We've got Top 5 Virals to get the week going! Today we've got Shakira's new video with "Did It Again," "The Sims" horror movie, Britney Spears' new song with "3," a robot playing "Rock Band" and the iPhone, and Jay-Z featuring Alicia Keys with "Empire State of Mind." Enjoy!
To watch other Top 5 Virals, check out http://current.com/current-virals/ for more fun!We've come back around to another Monday, but don't fret. We've got Top 5 Virals to... more
Dhani Harrison, son of the late George Harrison, was interviewed by the Chicago Tribune for his work on The Beatles: Rock Band and dropped some delicious hints at Harmonix’s future music rhythm title:
The official opening cinematic for LEGO Rock Band looks a great deal like the opening cinematic for the original Rock Band, only with a distinctive LEGO twist.
Traveller's Tales does what they do best in this cinematic launch trailer, lampooning existing properties through gratuitous use of LEGO blocks. Why simply stop at a tour bus, when the whole of LEGO creation is at your fingertips?
Rock Band on the iPhone is amazingly good fun but on hard its pretty damn hard. So for those of you out there that feel like cheating then check out the video of the robot this guy made to rinse through his favourite game:
"Robots never get old, they just get better, and that is so with this one. This Arduino-powered autonomous robot was built from random electronic parts and "stuffed into a modified Pelican case, with a lot of hot glue."
The robot's fingers are servos, and its fingertips are made of copper wire embedded in foam."
If you watched last Wednesday's South Park you probably noticed Cartman's amazing performance of "Poker Face" in between all the dolphin and whale slaughtering. Here's a clip of his "Rock Band" rendition for those who missed it.
This week is looking rather empty as far as confirmed content is concerned, but we’re brimming with rumored content. The highlight of the week is LocoRoco Midnight Carnival the first PSP game available that can be played with the PSPgo in it’s closed position. Other than that Inferno Pool finally makes it stateside, and Zombie Apocalypse finally makes its way to Europe. We’re expecting another Ratchet and Clank Future: A Crack in Time demo, although nothing has been confirmed. This second demo takes you through a mission with Ratchet, whereas the last demo was focused on Clank’s new time-manipulation gameplay. Other than that, expect your normal barrage of Rock Band DLC.This week is looking rather empty as far as confirmed content is concerned, but... more
Pearl Jam are currently working with MTV Games and Harmonix on a special Pearl Jam edition of Rock Band due to be released next year. The band are currently on tour...Pearl Jam are currently working with MTV Games and Harmonix on a special Pearl Jam... more
Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment and MTV Games today announced that LEGO® Rock Band™ will feature the likeness of Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee and multi-platinum selling group Queen. Appearing in the game as LEGO minifigures, front man Freddie Mercury, guitarist Brian May, bassist John Deacon and drummer Roger Taylor will be seen jamming to their hit anthems “We Will Rock You” and “We Are The Champions.”Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment and MTV Games today announced that LEGO® Rock... more
And you thought $300 fake guitars were too much? They ain't got nothing -- nothing -- on this. Altec Lansing, the outfit famous for making those tinny speakers slammed into your laptop, has just popped out what could very well be the most hilarious non-KIRF product of the year. The Stage-Gig is modeled after a traditional wedge monitor, complete with the perforated grille, white spray-paint logo and carry handle (for "authentic roadie portability"). Within, you'll find a 6.5-inch driver and a 40-watt amplifier, and the idea here is to plug your console's audio directly in, enabling the Rock Band / Guitar Hero axe-slinger in your life to feel as if they're "playing in a live concert." It'll land next month for $99.95, and despite the fact that we can't stifle our chuckling, we want one in the worst way. And so do you, Dr. Love.And you thought $300 fake guitars were too much? They ain't got nothing -- nothing --... more
Still can't get enough Queen, even after today's 10-pack of Rock Band DLC? Then keep on the lookout for Lego Rock Band when it launches early next month, because minifigures of Brian May, John Deacon, Roger Taylor, and, yes, Freddie Mercury will be showing up as playable characters in the kid-friendly band sim.Still can't get enough Queen, even after today's 10-pack of Rock Band DLC? Then keep... more
Amanti degli U2 preparate la sveglia: domenica mattina alle 5.30 su YouTube potrete guardare in diretta dalla California il concerto della band irlandese.Amanti degli U2 preparate la sveglia: domenica mattina alle 5.30 su YouTube potrete... more
MTV Games and Harmonix Launch Abbey Road as the First Full Playable Album Available For Download For The Beatles: Rock Band.MTV Games and Harmonix Launch Abbey Road as the First Full Playable Album Available... more
Warner Bros. has just announced LEGO Rock Band will feature the chart-topping UK band, BlurWarner Bros. has just announced LEGO Rock Band will feature the chart-topping UK band,... more
Brian May, the guitarist for Queen, let slip that there may be a Queen Rock Band in the works. During an interview with the BBC, he discussed both being in Lego Rock Band, which he described as “the ultimate accolade”, as well as a possibility of a Rock Band title based on the group.
Hit the link for more.Brian May, the guitarist for Queen, let slip that there may be a Queen Rock Band in... more
EA Mobile have announced plans to release a mobile app for the wildly popular video game franchise Rock Band...EA Mobile have announced plans to release a mobile app for the wildly popular video... more
If you're really, really into fake guitar playing, Mad Catz newest 'Player's Edition' Fender Tele might be just the thing for you. It boasts four ways to kick yourself into Overdrive (traditional tilting, a backtuning button, a touch sensitive pickup over the strumming bar, and a sold-separately Electro Harmonix pedal), plus some new fast action Shredderz fret buttons. Of course, the real draw here is aesthetic, and they've definitely hit all the right notes, there. The Rock Band Telecaster is available now, and it's going to run you $109.99 -- but you can make that in busking tips, right?If you're really, really into fake guitar playing, Mad Catz newest 'Player's Edition'... more
Warner Bros. confirmed this morning that Iggy Pop won't be the only 1970s rock legend to show up in Lego Rock Band this winter; David Bowie is also set to appear as a Lego minifigure in the family-friendly rhythm game, complete with suspenders, an unfastened bowtie, and multicolored irises.