The digital delights of Sony’s scrumptious PlayStation Network service know no bounds. Aside from letting punters compete in online gaming, stream films, browse the Internet and more, its premier attraction rests in the copious supply of downloadable games ripe for the picking. From PSN exclusives to PSOne Classics, minis and plain old add-on content, Sony’s online space is chock full of goodies battling it out for your hard-earned digital dollars.
Welcome back to another installment of Inside PlayStation Network, where every Monday – Friday we’ll pluck a PSN release—be it new or old—and put it in the spotlight for a thorough dissection. Fancy getting a new PSN game but don’t know what one to plump for? Perhaps this feature will help. Didn’t realize that a game was available in your region until now? We’ve got you covered. Or, perhaps you were musing over what those lucky Japanese folk were tucking into over in the Land of the Rising Sun? You can be sure our coverage will extend to those rare regional exclusives as much as those firmly embedded on the public consciousness.
Today, we ‘re strutting our stuff to the legendary London Calling album by Brit band The Clash, available now for Rock Band 3.
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Developer: Harmonix
Region(s) available: North America
Price: $19.99 (full album) / $1.99 (per track)
If you fancy a slice of quintessential, ear-assaulting 1970s/80s Brit rock, then pioneering punk-rockers The Clash should be right up your street. The group’s political-heavy lyrics combined with their roaring, obstreperous nature made for quite the striking juxtaposition on the music scene, quickly cementing their status as the ‘Thinking Man’s Yobs’ by NME. Much like the Sex Pistols, their no-nonsense attitude immediately endured them to the nation’s youth, elevating the band’s status from cult hit to one of the country’s top touring acts. Their highly lauded effort, London’s Calling, stands shoulder-to-shoulder with the likes of Never Mind the Bollocks as one of the most celebrated punk-rock efforts of our time. As a testament to its popularity, it made it into the top ten on Rolling Stones’ prestigious ‘Top 500 Hundred Albums of all Time’ back in 2003, and has flogged two million copies globally. Fitting it is, then, that The Clash is just the latest in a long line of venerable bands to make the jump to the digital realm with the release of London’s Calling on Rock Band 3.
Weighing in at just under $20, there’s not a duff track in sight, making the asking price a worthy investment for any punk purist. As such, we recommend plumping for the whole album rather than adopting a more bite-sized approach. You won’t regret it. As for the track list itself, London’s Calling kicks off with the eponymous lead single, which also features Pro Bass and Pro Guitar functionality. It’s an iconic track, and perhaps The Clash’s most recognised song to date, fusing punk, rock and reggae in an apocalyptically-themed anthem. Next up is ‘Brand New Cadillac,’ a cover of the 1959 Vince Taylor number that has subsequently been adapted by numerous other bands over the years. The mellow ‘Jimmy Jazz’ follows suite, backed-up by the organ-centric ‘Hateful’ and the reggae heavy ‘Rudie Can’t Fail.’ The latter can also be augmented by Pro Bass/Guitar add-ons.
Moving on to what would be side two of the record, ‘Spanish Bombs’ is next up, which thematically covers the Spanish Civil War and features a predominant vocal by Joe Strummer. Pro Bass/Guitar also included. Following up is ‘The Right Profile,’ along with slow burner ‘Lost in the Supermarket,’ a track conceived in the flat of Mike Jones’ grandmother and broaches an individual’s struggle with consumerism. ‘Clampdown’ (Pro Bass/Guitar included) rears its head next, an ambiguous track that the band feel is best left to one’s own interpretation. The tune also has the distinction of being featured in an episode of the popular US sitcom, Malcolm in the Middle.
Following this is the iconic ‘Guns of Brixton,’ which features lyrics penned and performed by bassist Paul Simonon. A live staple, the track has been covered a myriad of times over the years and tells the tale of a poor chap with a decidedly paranoid outlook on life. ‘Wrong Em Boyo’ is next in line, featuring snippets of the ubiquitous ‘Stagger Lee,’ followed by ‘Death or Glory,’ (which sees Strummer reflecting on his life and the complications of adulthood), the corporate-fuelled Koka Koloa, ‘The Card Cheat,’ and the pop-inspired, upbeat ‘Lover’s Rock.’ Rounding things out is the roaring ‘Four Horsemen,’ ‘I’m Not Down’ and the reggae-tinged ‘Revolution Rock.’ With 20 tracks in all, London’s Calling proves a sumptuous set list that’ll ensure you’ll be plucking away at these top tunes for quite some time.
Join us again same time tomorrow for another poke around Inside PlayStation Network.