“Chameleonic”:
This newest Rivals Challenge: Chameleonic is all about the power of “change.” As the seasons shift and the leaves turn, embrace mutation with new DLC coming Thursday in the Rock Band Music Store: New Found Glory “Iris” and Nirvana “The Man Who Sold the World (Live)”.
Everybody and their mom loved “Iris” when Goo Goo Dolls released it in 1998. No, really. The track was featured in movie soundtracks, topped the charts in a number of countries across the globe (it peaked at #9 stateside), and remains Goo Goo Dolls’ signature song to this day. New Found Glory took a stab at “Iris” and first introduced it to the world by posting their cover on MySpace (Yeah, 2007!) before including it on their release, From the Screen to Your Stereo Part II that same year. Perhaps surprisingly to some, NFG’s take is pretty faithful to the original – particularly the vocals. It’s maybe not terribly surprising, actually, when you take into consideration Goo Goo Dolls’ own origins in the mid-‘80s Buffalo, New York punk scene. Plenty of crunchy guitars, snappy rhythms, and singalong melodies make this a cover version sure to please listeners and RB players, alike. Fun fact: a botanist (and apparent fan of the re-done hit) developed the ‘new found glory’ type of iris flower in 2013. So… there’s that, too.
Even the “voice of a generation” draws upon influences and heroes – trust Kurt Cobain to aim high in that regard. Nirvana’s take on David Bowie’s 1970 hallmark, “The Man Who Sold the World” is a haunting highlight from Nirvana’s 1994 disc, MTV Unplugged in New York. With Cobain’s plaintive, vulnerable vocal delivery and distinctive, acoustic-guitar-through-fuzz-box fretwork alongside Dave and Krist’s deft, nimble rhythms, the band delivered an instant fan-favorite and radio staple. Bowie himself was honored and impressed by the cover, saying: “I was simply blown away when I found that Kurt Cobain liked my work.” A tasteful “hot rods” (drum sticks made up of thin dowels bound together) shuffle beat from Grohl and a typically from-the-heart guitar delivery on Cobain’s part make this a both fun and challenging track to play.
Both of these kickin’ tracks are included in the Season 28 Season Pass. Get yours today and save big on the entire season of DLC.
New Found Glory “Iris” and Nirvana “The Man Who Sold the World (Live)” are available for $1.99 each.
VIDEO: Rock Band 4 DLC Week of 9/15: New Found Glory and Nirvana
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*Please note that this week’s DLC tracks will be available for purchase on Thursday, September 15th.