Dead Center [Bonus Tracks]

by Game Theory

Overview

After making their debut in 1982 with the self-produced and released album Blaze of Glory, Game Theory clearly wanted to aim for a more polished and professional sound on their next releases; for the 1983 EP Pointed Accounts of People You Know, Scott Miller took the band into a real studio (admittedly a modest one), and the 1984 EP Distortion found them working with an outside producer for the first time, Michael Quercio of paisley underground psychedelic heroes the Three O'Clock. The French indie label Lolita Records, then enamored of the paisley underground scene, licensed the two EPs and fashioned them into an album, Dead Center, making it the curious follow-up to Blaze of Glory, flown in from across the ocean to the group's homeland. While Dead Center doesn't cohere as an album as well as one might hope, the individual tracks show that Game Theory were growing past the home-brewed sound of Blaze of Glory, and "Penny, Things Won't," "Metal and Glass Exact," and "Life in July" are smarter and better executed than nearly anything on BoG, while Quercio's production was a great complement to songs like "The Red Baron," "Nine Lives to Rigel Five," and "Shark Pretty" (the latter featuring a guitar solo from David Bowie sideman Earl Slick). And while Miller was clearly the leader of this band, bassist Fred Juhos, keyboardist Nan Becker, and drummer Dave Gill were more than capable accompanists who gave these songs the flavors they needed. One could certainly hear Game Theory's talent and potential on Blaze of Glory, but the material that formed Dead Center represented a major step forward for Miller and his group, and this music suggested they were maturing into the great smart pop band that would emerge on 1985's Real Nighttime. [In 2014, Dead Center was reissued -- and received its first proper American release -- in a remastered and expanded edition from Omnivore Recordings. While this edition is missing a few Pointed Accounts and Distortion tracks -- Fred Juhos opted not to allow three songs he wrote to be used here -- this version more than compensates by including a whopping 11 bonus songs, including demos, live covers, radio performances, and an alternate version of "Dead Center" that includes interview chatter from the band in which Miller professes his fandom of both Elvis Costello and James Joyce. Hearing Miller covering Badfinger, Cat Stevens, Roxy Music, and R.E.M. points not only to his eclectic taste but his gift for something interesting in a song, and the live performances of "Penny, Things Won't" and "Shark Pretty" show this edition of Game Theory could deliver powerfully on-stage. Omnivore's edition of Dead Center also includes fine liner notes from Dan Vallor and a short remembrance from Michael Quercio, as well as plenty of rare photos. Assembled with a historian's care and a fan's enthusiasm, this version of Dead Center is a real treasure trove for Game Theory fans.] ~ Mark Deming

Product Details

Release Date:	11/24/2014
Label:	Omnivore
UPC:	0816651016549

Tracks

1. Nine Lives to Rigel Five
2. Penny, Things Won¿¿¿t
3. Dead Center [French LP Version]
4. The Red Baron
5. The Letter
6. Shark Pretty
7. Metal and Glass Exact
8. Selfish Again
9. Too Late for Tears
10. Life in July
11. No Matter What
12. Mother of Pearl
13. Nine Lives to Rigel Five
14. Trouble
15. Shark Pretty
16. Gloria
17. Too Late for Tears [Michael Q¿¿¿s "George Martin" Rough Mix]
18. Radio Free Europe
19. Penny, Things Won¿¿¿t
20. Say It Ain¿¿¿t So Joe [Radio Session]
21. Dead Center [Flexi Disc Version]

Album Credits

Performance Credits

Game Theory   Primary Artist
Earl Slick   Guitar,Soloist
Scott Miller   Guitar,Vocals,Vocals (Background)
Dave Gill   Drums
Gil Ray   Drums
Shelley LaFreniere   Vocals,Keyboards
Fred Juhos   Bass,Guitar,Vocals (Background)
Suzi Ziegler   Bass,Vocals
Nan Becker   Vocals,Keyboards,Vocals (Background)

Technical Credits

Michael Quercio   Producer,Liner Notes,Mixing
Greg Allen   Design,Art Direction
Gavin Lurssen   Mastering
Cat Stevens   Composer
Wayne Carson   Composer
Scott Miller   Composer,Engineer,Producer
Cheryl Pawelski   Compilation Producer
Van Morrison   Composer
Peter Buck   Composer
Mike Mills   Composer
Michael Stipe   Composer
Bryan Ferry   Composer
Murray Head   Composer
Pat Thomas   Compilation Producer
Pete Ham   Composer
Bradley Skaught   Project Assistant
Reuben Cohen   Mastering
Bill Berry   Composer
Dan Vallor   Mixing,Engineer,Liner Notes,Compilation Producer
Robert Toren   Photography
Lee Lodyga   Project Assistant
Dave Gill   Engineer,Project Assistant
Michael Graves   Restoration
Fred Juhos   Composer
Eileen Lucero   Editorial
Dave Millington   Mixing,Engineer,Project Assistant
Audrey Bilger   Project Assistant
Dutch Cramblitt   Project Assistant
Nikki Nieves   Project Assistant
Brad Rosenberger   Project Assistant
Nan Becker   Composer
Jennifer Beecroft Polishook   Photography
Shannon Vallor   Project Assistant