Rock Band

Reviewed by:
Scott Jones

For the cost of a high-end rub-and-tug, or a new set of imported hair plugs, or a two-day car rental from Avis ($170), you can own this virtual band-in-a-box. It comes with a guitar, a microphone, and a drum kit. Hook these things up to your gaming console, add a second guitar (sold separately), mix in a little alcohol (also sold separately), and voilà—instant band. It sounds lame on paper, but the game is made by Harmonix, the same folks who invented Guitar Hero. So you know these people know what the fuck they're doing. Band World Tour mode lets you travel the globe, earning fans and cash (or losing fans, if you play poorly). Like Guitar Hero, there's a bit of I-look-like-a-douche-bag-don't-I? Syndrome to overcome. But once you play the drums on "Won't Get Fooled Again," you won't give a fuck what you look like. It's just plain, balls-out fun. Bottom line, this is the closest you clock-punching drones are ever going to get to rock-god status.