Released 1984, 2014 Dead Center (1984) Real Nighttime (1985) | Genre Power pop, new wave | |
Length 36:37 (LP)
1:19:17 (CD) Label Lolita (1984)
Omnivore (2014) Producer Michael Quercio
Scott Miller | ||
Dead Center is a compilation album from Game Theory, a California power pop band fronted by guitarist and singer-songwriter Scott Miller. Initially released in France on Lolita Records in 1984, a newly remastered version was released on CD on November 24, 2014 on Omnivore Recordings.
Contents
Background
By mid-1982, Scott Miller had assembled the first iteration of Game Theory, which consisted of Miller (lead guitar, vocals), Nancy Becker (keyboards, vocals), Fred Juhos (bass, guitar, vocals), and Michael Irwin (drums). The first Game Theory album was the Blaze of Glory LP, released on Rational Records in 1982.
With Dave Gill replacing Michael Irwin on drums, two 12-inch EPs followed. In 1983, the group released the six-song EP Pointed Accounts of People You Know, recorded at Samurai Sound Studio, which was co-owned by Gill. The group then recorded the five-song Distortion EP in December 1983 (released 1984), with The Three O'Clock's Michael Quercio producing.
Flexidisc
A long version of the song "Dead Center," a rare promotional single, was recorded in 1983 as a 7-inch flexidisc for distribution with the music magazine Option, and appeared on the 1993 Alias Records compilation CD Distortion of Glory. This version of the song included an introductory portion that featured, over instrumental music, layers of Scott Miller's spoken responses to an interviewer's unheard questions. It appears as a bonus track on the 2014 CD reissue of Dead Center.
Omnivore Recordings obtained 300 of the original flexidiscs, and announced a plan to distribute them as a bonus to 300 pre-release purchasers of their March 2015 vinyl reissue of Game Theory's 1985 Real Nighttime LP.
Critical reception
According to Blurt, "While no striking developmental steps get taken here, leader Scott Miller sharpens his songsmithery, even as his lyrics get more abstract, and the band likewise tightens its grip on its power popping psychedelic new wave. Like a college rock top 40 machine, GT effortlessly sets ‘em up and knocks ‘em down." Of the reissue, Blurt added, "Nicely enhanced, Omnivore," noting that the bonus tracks added up to "another LP’s worth of tracks, both demos and live versions of album cuts and a passel of covers that pay tribute to Miller’s dedicated fandom."
Popshifter wrote, "As with its other reissues, Omnivore hit it out of the park with the beautiful digipak and comprehensive liner notes (including a very sweet remembrance from Michael Quercio, one of Miller’s key collaborators)."
Critic Jeff Elbel, writing in Illinois Entertainer, called the reissue a "thorough reintroduction to Game Theory's sophomore efforts and Miller's developing acumen as a sharp and witty observer. The eight EP tracks may not represent Miller's peak, but they include must-have gems like the cautiously hopeful 'Penny, Things Won't' and sinewy 'Shark Pretty.'" Elbel praised Miller's version of "Radio Free Europe" as "a telling and fearlessly off-the-cuff live cover," which another reviewer noted that Miller "manages to pull off adeptly."
Original LP (1984)
All tracks written by Scott Miller, except as noted.
CD reissue (2014)
All tracks written by Scott Miller, except as noted.