Music to Game to - Free Radicals

If you've ever said to yourself, "Man, I wish I could play that song on Rock Band!" you're in the right place.  This is a regular article dedicated to putting the spotlight on musicians, specific songs, or even genres so far absent from the music game industry (notably Rock Band, Guitar Hero, and their many-numbered sequels.)  I'm absolutely open to suggestions either in comments or messages as well.

You know the bands that are classified as just "rock" only because nothing else can describe them?  I always appreciate people sending me ideas, but I'm starting to think I should be a bit wary of what bands you guys suggest for me.  I had nothing to go on for this group but their name, and boy did they blow my mind with the zany substance of their music.  I have to concede, certainly, that if Rock Band 2 and many games before it can house the like of That Handsome Devil, these guys can play, too.  Altaco is the guy behind this suggestion, so I hope he's happy!  If you've never heard of them, like me, or even if you do, prepare to be dazzled by The Flaming Lips!

This group has nothing in music games that I am aware of.  I hesitate to call them obscure, however, because they certainly seem to have a following.  While I don't have an exhaustive account of their discography, I have little doubt that most, if not all of their music is as strange as my picks.  They're walking the line between quaint and crazy, but I suppose artistic license lets you do that.  Somehow, in the midst of the noise and wacky lyrics and sounds comes a memorable, euphonic section that holds it all in place.

The diversity of The Flaming Lips' music only lends a portion of their music to rhythm games.  I know, I know; it's a shame that there's no Synthesizer Hero or Arbitrary Noise Track Pack, but we survive.  In case it wasn't already apparent, you'll have no idea what you're singing about with these guys.  I tried to pick out songs that have cool, memorable guitar, bass, and drum parts, as well.  Overall, though, I feel that no matter what you're doing, immersing yourself in The Flaming Lips will have an appeal of its own.  I do think it'd be both interesting and hilarious if some custom characters and stage antics could be used for Flaming Lips' songs, because apparently they're quite well-known for their live performances.  I wouldn't want to lose a quintessential part of a band's performance.

In my dreams: At War with the Mystics (2006)

A good start: "Fight Test", "The W.A.N.D. (The Will Always Negates Defeat)", "She Don't Use Jelly"

Thanks for the suggestion, Altaco.  I enjoyed it.

Playing songs in Rock Band or Guitar Hero is one of the most immersive ways to experience music, second to playing it for real, of course.  Let me know if you'd like to see this in a game, too.  Would you pick something else?  I'd like to hear your thoughts.