Heyo!  James here from the criminally under-updated AltStrum.com.  You’ve probably never heard of me, and if you have it was probably on Twitter.  After reading the Top 20 DLC Tracks of 2009 that Tommy recently posted, I was inspired to put together my own list.  First, a few notes…

This list does not include Beatles: Rock Band or LEGO Rock Band tracks or songs currently exclusive to the various track packs on the market.  Only songs available in the Music Store have been considered.  Keep in mind that when evaluating DLC, I typically enjoy tracks in a full-band party setup, or as a single-player vocal+guitar (voxtar) combo.  I don’t play for score (though I do aim high!) and I admit in advance that there are no doubt much better drum and bass songs available than I have represented below.

20. “Oh, Pretty Woman” – Roy Orbison
EVERYONE knows this song (even your Grandma), and thanks to well-balanced charting this is a great party starter for players of all ages and skill levels.

19. “The Joker” – Steve Miller Band
Strummy, yet with enough variety to keep a guitarist entertained, plus it’s a blast on drums. Also, this classic contains the un-edited lyrics “I’m a joker/I’m a smoker/I’m a mid-night toker!” Eat it ESRB!

18. “Better” – Guns N’ Roses
I know, I know – new GNR sucks! Tell me something I don’t already know! Yet somehow this song, with all of its tempo and style changes, slam-danced with several Buckethead solos, made it into my regular rotation this year.

17. “Smooth Criminal” – Alien Ant Farm
This track is so 2001, and that’s why we love it. One of the most downloaded tracks in the Music Store, Smooth Criminal is a rock cover of Micheal Jackson’s classic 80′s track. Perfect charting, fun vocals, perfect cover.

16. “Bat Country” – Avenged Sevenfold
I don’t typically enjoy Avenged Sevenfold tracks. Maybe it’s the fact that EVERYONE on XBL has their tracks, and as a result, they get selected in pick-up sessions almost as much as Metallica. “Bat Country” however, is nu-metal perfection. Varied charting, great solo. Challenging without being frustrating.

15. “Kryptonite” – 3 Doors Down
Like “Pretty Woman” – EVERYONE knows this song. The charting is as catchy and fun as the tune itself. A great party song for any crowd, and one even experienced players can have fun with over and over again.

14. “Blew” – Nirvana
Gotta be honest, I was not a happy camper when tracks from Bleach, Nirvana’s first and much-lesser known album, were announced before completing the rest of the Nevermind tracklist. Then “Blew” happened, and made me realize that early Nirvana is probably equally if-not-better suited for rhythm gaming. Less chordy than most of its time, and a great solo. If it wasn’t for the BRE at the end, this track might have been Top 10.

13. “Runnin’ Down a Dream” – Tom Petty
Great as a party song, but even better alone on voxtar. Watch out for this one as the first 2/3 of the song will catch you sleepin’, then punish you with a crazy solo loaded with triplets at the end. A Tom Petty classic, impossible to pass up.

12. “Would?” – Alice in Chains
Classic 90′s alternative. Layne Staley. Catchy riffs. Amazing drums. ‘Nuff said.

11. “Supersonic” (Live) – Oasis
The only “live” track on my list, “Supersonic” is also the only live track for play in Rock Band that actually enhances the “rock star” experience for me. The guitars are fuzzed-out, the chart is rectangle perfection, and the mix is flawless. A must-buy for voxtarists.

10. “Dirty Pool” – Stevie Ray Vaughan and Double Trouble
This track requires tons of altstrumming, and yet is a blast to play. Nice runs, great blues vibe, and vocals you can really melt into. Probably the most challenging and simultaneously unique pick on this list, chart-wise.

9. “Less Talk More Rokk” – Freezepop
Freezepop’s fan-favorite electro-dance-tar vibe finally carries over from GH2 as Rock Band DLC, and turns out the better for it. Still hard as hell on guitroller, the new disco-tinged electronic-drums are no less painful. Plus, at $1, you can’t go wrong!

8. “Sex on Fire” – Kings of Leon
I have to admit – I love this song. If there is any track on this list that has been put there simply because it’s “my song” – this is it. The charts are great, and the vocals are awesome and practically require you to ham them up. Play this one on voxtar, and during the third chorus when they guitar notes drop out, swing your hip to the side, press your mouth against the bottom of the mic, close your eyes and let it wail… “Yoouuuuuu… Your sex is on fiyaaaaaa.” Epic.

7. “Brother” – Pearl Jam
If you had told me that in a year when Pearl Jam’s breakout album Ten was released as full album DLC, that a little known b-side from a 3-pack that would come months later the best PJ track in the game, I’d have called you crazy. It’s true. Better than “Jeremy,” better than “Black,” this track has everything a guitrolist would want: chords, runs, zig-zags, a challenging but fair solo. Believe it.

6. “Icky Thump” – The White Stripes
I’ll admit it, this track is not for everyone, but its definitely for me. The song’s four solo’s alternate between organ and guitar, giving those of us that can sight-read a whole batch of fresh new patterns to tackle. The vocals are vintage Jack, and the drums are a great entree into expert skins mode.

5. “A Favor House Atlantic” – Coheed and Cambria
I love Coheed. A lack of solo on guitar is the only thing that keeps this track from #1 for me. Still a great time on all instruments, great lyrics, fun drums. If you’re a fan, this track is a treat. HMX! We need more Coheed!

4. “The Diary of Jane” – Breaking Benjamin
What?! Another song without a solo in the top 5? This list sucks! Sorry folks, TDoJ is the most even, enjoyable full band song to be released as DLC this year. Some say it’s too easy. I say if it has a fault, it’s simply too perfect.

3. “Don’t Stop Believing” – Journey
The ultimate party song, Rock Banders have begged for this track since day one, and this year HMX gave it to us. Epic vocals and perfect guitar/bass/drum charting. A song everyone, even your Dad (er, especially your Dad), will know. I’d tell you to go buy it, but you probably already have.

2. “Blue Sky” – The Allman Brothers Band
The most overlooked song in 2009 DLC, “Blue Sky” is also the most selfish. There’s not much here for vocalists, drummers or bassist – but wow is it fun on guitar. The song is just over five minutes long, but contains a continuous three minute solo filled with the most perfect, laid back, country-fied runs in any rythm game track. The guitar chart in this one is one of the many reasons I will never buy another Guitar Hero disc – nobody does it like HMX.

1. “Typical” – Mute Math
It’s hard to quantify why exactly Mute Math’s little-known alterna-pop-rock tune “Typical” earns it’s #1 spot on this list. I hadn’t heard the song before playing it in Rock Band, but I immediately fell in love with it on first play. It’s catchy enough on it’s own, but when you add note perfect charting on all instruments, each with its own nuances and challenge, it somehow makes the song… better. Which, I think in the long run, is what separates a good DLC track from a GREAT DLC TRACK. It amplifies what previously existed as just a catchy song with a catchy video into one of the most fun four minutes and twelve seconds you can have playing a music game.

So that’s the list. I know I overlooked a lot, including probably many of your favorites.  Tell me what I missed, what I got wrong, and what I go oh-so-right.  I’m always up for a good re-play!

James runs the Twitter account @AltStrum, as well as AltStrum.com.  Be sure to check him out! Thanks, James!

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