Guitar Hero: Now with drums and mic!

Without a doubt, Rock Band is one of the greatest ryhthm games made to date. It even beats Guitar Hero, in my opinion. There are just so many more ways to play! But now, Activision plans on going head to head with Rock Band with Guitar Hero IV, adding other instruments into the mix.

They're doomed.

In my opinion, Activision is effectively killing their franchise by adding other instruments. I would compare it to selling "Cheerios, now with Wheaties and Corn Flakes!" It's self contradictory! It's GUITAR Hero Activision--stick to guitars. I expect that this will cause many gamers to shake their heads and laugh, and wait anxiously for the next Rock Band.

Activision sure doesn't have looks on their side either--judging from the Game Informer scans here, the drum pad for GHIV is both more complex than Rock Band's--which was already pretty difficult to play, by the way--and it just looks bulky and unappealing. Is the end near for the franchise?

CD review: Def Leppard-Songs From the Sparkle Lounge

It's really hard to describe the sound of this album. After listening to it, "heavy metal," "pop," "ballad," and just "rock" all seem to fit. But not in the way that many albums do--one song at a time. Instead, several of these are combined in some songs and what you get is....something.

It's not a bad something though. However different it may be, it's still Def Leppard, and Def Leppard can still rock. Despite Joe Elliott's range shrinking a little (not a lot, but enough to notice), you can still tell that this is the same band that put out "Pour Some Sugar On Me." Of course, not all of the songs are a new sound--several of them still sound like something straight out of the 80s. However, there are definitely some modern influences.

The album is Def Leppard's first since "x" (excluding YEAH!, which was all covers). I think that for a band to be able to put out an album so long after the previous one and still make it good really says somehting about their talent.

Tracks to check out:

• Go
• Nine Lives
• Tommorow

Cd Review: Whitesnake-Good to be Bad

The title may be Good to be Bad, but Whitesnake's album is anything BUT bad. Far from it actually, as it's already one of my favorite Whitesnake albums.

One of the 1st things I noticed when i started listening to this album was that (thankfully!), unlike a lot of other classic rock artists' new albums, IT IS NOT COUNTRY AT ALL!!! Definitely a plus. I'm sick and tired of all the old groups going country. Stick to rock, people!

But seriously, the songs are great. The albm features 11 new songs, and I like almost all of them. They pretty much all have a Whitesnake vibe to them, and other than Coverdale's voice getting a little raspier, they sound just like they always have. Probably the only real gripe I have is that the opening from Can You Hear the Wind Blow sounds almost exactly like Animals by Nickelback (minus the drums). Other than that, great job.

Tracks to check out:

• Call On Me


• A Fool in Love


• Lay Down You Love

AL Central: Who woulda guessed it?

Flashback to 2007. Atop the AL Central Division the Cleveland Indians and Detroit Tigers battled all season long for 1st place.

Now, 2 weeks into the 2008 season, these same two teams are tied for last place, and the White Sox and Royals are already almost 5 games ahead.

Of course, with a season 162 games long, anything can--and probably will-happen. For now, the Tigers seem to be getting right back into things, and the Indians are still struggling with their pitching game. There's a lot of talent on both teams though, and you can expect to see Cleveland and Detroit back on top in a few months.

Random Fun: Mario themed Wii

Saw this pic on Gizmodo, thought it was cool, so here ya go. It's a Mario Galaxy Wii. You know, if Nintendo sold these, just maybe a couple hundred of them, they'd make a LOT of money. Better yet, the people who have been customizing them could make some cash.

Original Post: Gizmodo