Pixies’ Doolittle Meets Rock Band

Next week, Black Francis’ reach will extend to virtual gamers in more than 3 million living rooms around the world. The Pixies’ classic “Doolittle” will receive Xbox 360 treatment on June 24 when the entire record is released on the Xbox Live Marketplace for the video game Rock Band.

Rock Band allows up to four players to compete in a simulated concert experience. Depending on the song, the instruments include a microphone, guitar, bass and drums. In other words, players can become Black Francis, Kim Deal, Joey Santiago or David Lovering without the always-touring-together tension.

Following in the suit of the Cars’ self-titled LP and Judas Priest’s “Screaming for Vengeance,” “Doolittle” is the third album released for Rock Band in its entirety.

As much as I like the Pixies for garnering mainstream media attention, this ploy does seem like a sell-out act. “Doolittle” is a near-perfect record in indie music. Artists such as Bono, David Bowie and – perhaps most importantly – Kurt Cobain have cited the Pixies as a major musical influence.

The Pixies even became more popular after their reunion tour than before breaking up, only because it took years for music folks to discover the Pixies.

So should I hold the “Doolittle’s” Rock Band release against the band? Before the reunion tour, I would never have considered a mutual venture between Microsoft and the Pixies. On their own, I approve of both entities. But put together, they represent completely separate images and values.