The twenty-one song expansion is a great addition to Rock Band 1, but owners of the sequel have a harder decision.
Rock Band Country Track Pack is more of an expansion than it is a game. Country Track Pack marks the fifth Track Pack expansion to the series and, like the others, includes a selection of 21 songs. Due to their almost identical nature, much of this review's content is shared with my review of Track Pack Volume 2.
First and foremost, players must realize that while it is an expansion, this game is actually a standalone title. Neither Rock Band 1 nor Rock Band 2 is required to play; you only need the equipment that comes with either of the titles.
This track pack features a nice selection of songs that country music lovers should easily enjoy. As a value proposition, Rock Band Country Track Pack is a smart investment. At $29.99, players can enjoy a total of twenty-one songs at about $1.50 a track. If players were to purchase all of the included tracks via the Rock Band 2 in-game store, they would be spending 200 Wii Points ($2.00) for each of the tracks.
Of course, if you only own Rock Band 1 and its associated equipment and you want more songs, the choice is easy. Players who do decide that the disc is a better investment won't be disappointed with the tracks and the quality of their note charts.
The choice can be tougher for Rock Band 2 owners. Currently, the Track Pack is the only way to play this selection of songs. However, at some point in the near future, these tracks will be available for download in the Rock Band 2 shop. If you don't feel like waiting or swapping discs and are happy with the song selection, this track pack is an excellent investment. Unfortunately, unlike the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 versions, these tracks can never be copied to your SD Card; they can only be played from the track pack disc. Therefore, if you own Rock Band 2 and would like all of your tracks to be in a centralized area, you should avoid purchasing this disc and wait to buy all the songs you really want through the online store. Also, just like the original Rock Band, none of the tracks can be played online, adding another disincentive to the pack.
All of the Rock Band 2 equipment works like a charm, and all of the tracks are available from the get-go without the need to unlock them via the included Tour mode. The unfortunate part is that even now, nearly a year after Rock Band 2's release, the game still features the Rock Band 1 interface and lacks the automatic calibration feature present in Rock Band 2 and its equipment.
Rock Band Country Track Pack is a no-brainer for owners of the first Rock Band who love country music, and are looking to cheaply expand their song list. Owners of Rock Band 2 are better off noting their favorite tracks from the pack, and then buying them individually from the online store when they become available.
Track Listing:
- "3 Dimes Down" - Drive-By Truckers
- "Any Man of Mine" - Shania Twain
- "Can't Let Go" - Lucinda Williams
- "Cry Lonely" - Cross Canadian Ragweed
- "Free and Easy (Down the Road I Go)" - Dierks Bentley
- "Gone" - Montgomery Gentry
- "Good Time" - Alan Jackson
- "Gunpowder & Lead" - Miranda Lambert
- "Hillbilly Deluxe" - Brooks & Dunn
- "I Told You So" - Keith Urban
- "Me and My Gang" - Rascal Flatts
- "Mud on the Tires" - Brad Paisley
- "On the Road Again" - Willie Nelson
- "Satellite Radio" - Steve Earle
- "She's Country" - Jason Aldean
- "She Thinks My Tractor's Sexy" - Kenny Chesney
- "Sin Wagon" - Dixie Chicks
- "Swing" - Trace Adkins
- "Suds in the Bucket" - Sara Evans
- "The Gambler" - Kenny Rogers
- "This One's for the Girls" - Martina McBride