Rock Band is like Soccer

Last Saturday morning I finally gave into an urge that I'd been resisting for quite a while.  I ran down to Sam's Club and picked up Rock Band.  As a bonus Sam's was selling it at $149.99, $20 less then Gamestop.  I'd been putting off the decision because I didn't really care for most of the songs on the play list and I assumed that the novelty of the game would wear off pretty quick.  At $150+ dollars, that's a chance I was hesitant to take.

So how is Rock Band like soccer?  Well, about 5 years ago I was asked to fill in for an injured player in an adult co-ed soccer league.  I had never played soccer, didn't think it was a real sport and hated to watch it.  In fact I'm guessing that most folks reading this feel like I did.  Then I played.  Everything I thought about soccer changed.  It was actually quite fun.  I wouldn't suggest that I'd suddenly want to subscribe to MLS on DirecTV or anything but I've been playing weekly for the last 5 years now.

In the same way, I didn't think that Rock Band would really hold my interest very long.  The song list was pretty weak in my opinion.  I wouldn't download 95% of the songs to my Zune if presented the opportunity. Then I played.  It turns out I really do want to bang on me drum all day.  Even songs I don't care for are killer fun to play the drums along with.  There's great satisfaction in pounding out a tricky section on the drum pads.  I have yet to even try the guitar yet.  The drums are just too compelling right now.  I have tried the vocals and do pretty well for a white guy.  But the drums, they beckon me.

I'm still just playing through on easy for the time being.  I have no drumming experience in my background so this is a whole new experience for me.  I can definitely see myself working back through the tour on Med. and Hard though.  The only complaint I have is the horrible surface that Harmonix went with for the drum surface.  All you hear is clacky clack clack.  I've ordered some pre-cut gum rubber drum pads though so hopefully they will alleviate that issue.  I don't know if I'll still be playing Rock Band 3 or 4 in another 5 years but I'm definitely glad I gave it a try.