{"title":"Game Theory","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eGame Theory was an American rock band that originated in 1982 in Davis, California. They quickly gained popularity and their music was widely played on student-run university radio stations. Game Theory was one of the pioneering bands in the \"college rock\" genre during the 1980s.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eTheir unique sound and catchy melodies drew inspiration from a variety of genres including power pop, jangle pop, and alternative rock. With thought-provoking lyrics and infectious hooks, *Game Theory* captivated audiences with their distinctive style.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eInfluenced by bands such as Let's Active, Tommy Keene, The Loud Family, and The Three O'Clock among others, *Game Theory* created a sound that resonated with fans across the nation. Their music continues to inspire artists today and remains a testament to their lasting impact on the music industry.\u003c\/p\u003e","products":[{"product_id":"across-the-barrier-of-sound-postscript","title":"Across The Barrier Of Sound: PostScript","description":"\u003cp\u003eThe final recordings from the last Game Theory line-up featuring Michael Quercio (The Three O’Clock). LP contains 14 commercially unissued tracks (one previously included on a fan club only release) and CD adds 10 more previously unissued tracks. \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003ePackaging contains photos, liner notes \u0026amp; remembrances from members of Wilco and Guided By Voices Throughout the 1980s, the California based Game Theory was one of the most original (and critically acclaimed) indie-rock bands. Their blend of ’60s and ’70s pop influences such as Todd Rundgren and Big Star coupled with a post-punk energy led to a string of diverse albums—nearly all produced by Mitch Easter of Let’s Active. For the past several years, Omnivore has painstakingly reissued each and every one of their original albums with the addition of a slew of unreleased bonus tracks. \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eAcross The Barrier Of Sound: PostScript is the album that might have been at the time. There’s a blend of home and studio and live recordings. Songs that many fans haven’t heard unless they were lucky enough to catch a live show at the time—and some songs which reappeared in significantly different form on the debut album from Scott Miller and Jozef Becker’s post-Game Theory band The Loud Family, Plants And Birds And Rocks And Things. Miller uniquely blended classic pop songwriting with groundbreaking art-rock influences, which is reflected in home recordings of Brian Eno’s “Needle In The Camel’s Eye” and The Nazz’s “Forget All About It”. \u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Omnivore","offers":[{"title":"Black | LP","offer_id":50381814137163,"sku":"1091131","price":24.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false},{"title":"CD","offer_id":50381813973323,"sku":"1091130","price":14.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0867\/1120\/6219\/files\/62186bf3-0228-48bf-bc4a-7b420d72e74b_thumbnail_4096.jpg?v=1726237377"},{"product_id":"lolita-nation-1","title":"Lolita Nation","description":"\u003cp\u003eWhen Game Theory emerged with their fourth full-length release in 1987, there was not only a new line-up of the band, but it took two LPs to capture all of the magic. Once again produced by Mitch Easter (R.E.M., Pavement, Let's Active), 'Lolita Nation' was the culmination of all that had come before, and pushed the boundaries farther than they had ever gone. 'Lolita Nation' became their most critically acclaimed work - grabbing a Bay Area Music Award (BAMMY) nomination for Outstanding Independent Label Album in 1988. Revered for decades, and - sadly - out of print for many. As Omnivore Recordings continues to reintroduce this seminal band to the masses, 'Lolita Nation' now requires a second CD to collect alternate mixes, live recordings, and radio sessions. The original's 27 tracks are joined by 21 bonus performances! In addition to the highly sought after 8 minute version of 'Chardonnay' and alternate mixes of other album tracks, the bonus material features covers of David Bowie, The Modern Lovers, Sex Pistols, Elvis Costello, The Smiths, The Stooges, Joy Division, The Hollies, and Public Image Ltd. classics. Truly as eclectic and all-encompassing as 'Lolita Nation' itself, and just as revolutionary. All formats feature new liner notes from Okkervil River's Will Sheff, interviews with the band and original album contributors and previously unseen photos. As the world reawakens to the incredible Game Theory, it is truly a new time and a new day. It's time to return to 'Lolita Nation' - if even for your first visit!2CD - Double CD Set with 21 bonus tracks. 2LP - Double LP on Green colored vinyl for first press with download card for entire CD program.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Omnivore","offers":[{"title":"LP","offer_id":50383557886283,"sku":"397830","price":27.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false},{"title":"CD","offer_id":50383558050123,"sku":"397829","price":22.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0867\/1120\/6219\/files\/57a36032-d830-45e5-ab22-8befe0f5d008_thumbnail_4096.jpg?v=1726272564"},{"product_id":"2-steps-from-the-middle-ages-2","title":"2 Steps From The Middle Ages","description":"\u003cp\u003eFinal studio album from Game Theory CD\/Digital contains 11 bonus tracks Unavailable on LP in nearly three decades - first pressing on colored vinyl with download card for entire CD program  Their final studio album \" remastered and expanded! Following up 1987s Lolita Nation (whose reissue appeared on numerous year-end best of? lists for 2016) would be no easy task for Game Theory. But, Scott Miller and company were certainly up for the task. Re-teaming with producer Mitch Easter (R.E.M., Marshall Crenshaw, Velvet Crush), 2 Steps From The Middle Ages was released in 1988, and showed the band had no shortage of energy, experimentation, and excellent material. This reissue contains the original 13 songs supplemented with a whopping 11 bonus tracks \" demos, live performances and covers \" all previously unissued. The translucent orange, first pressing of the LP (on vinyl for the first time since its initial release), contains a download card for the entire CD\/Digital program. Packaging includes rare and previously unseen photos from the bands photographer, Robert Toren, as well as essays from Easter, Ken Stringfellow (The Posies, Big Star), and Franklin Bruno (The Village Voice, Salon.com). The bands drummer, Gil Ray, who was involved in all aspects with the Game Theory reissue series including this title, sadly passed away earlier this year. This reissue is lovingly dedicated to him. As the first track says, theres room for one more, honey.? That 1 more is 2 Steps From The Middle Ages.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Omnivore","offers":[{"title":"CD","offer_id":50522153779531,"sku":"2017272","price":14.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"LP","offer_id":50522154008907,"sku":"2017278","price":22.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0867\/1120\/6219\/files\/test_634a3d35_thumbnail_4096.jpg?v=1727999577"},{"product_id":"the-big-shot-chronicles","title":"The Big Shot Chronicles","description":"\u003cp\u003eOmnivore Recordings continues the re-examination of Game Theory's stellar 1980s catalog with an expanded reissue of 'The Big Shot Chronicles'. Passionate fans of the group all have a favourite Game Theory album, and the band's drummer, Gil Ray, refers to 'The Big Shot Chronicles' as his favorite in an revealing discussion with set co-producer and Game Theory constant \/ confidant Dan Vallor in the new set's liner notes. The original 12-track album, produced by Mitch Easter (R.E.M., Let's Active, Velvet Crush, Pavement), featured an expansion of the band's sound, and contains the MTV 120 Minutes staple 'Erica's Word.' For its 30th anniversary, 13 tracks have been added - nine of which are previously unissued. From demos, outtakes, rough mixes, and live tracks, one can see the sonic trajectory the band was on - leading up to their arguable magnum opus, Lolita Nation. In addition to alternate versions of originals, this set includes batch of covers of songs by Todd Rundgren, Roxy Music, Big Star, The Velvet Underground, and more.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eLP - Limited Version on Lime Green Vinyl. 12 Tracks plus Download with 13 Bonus tracks. \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eCD - 25 Tracks.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Omnivore","offers":[{"title":"LP","offer_id":50524162294091,"sku":"405298","price":22.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0867\/1120\/6219\/files\/590ef978-c3a5-4328-85a6-aba3ef8911b8_thumbnail_4096.jpg?v=1728026574"},{"product_id":"real-nighttime","title":"Real Nighttime","description":"\u003cp\u003e30th anniversary reissue of Game Theory's classic second full-length. Omnivore Recordings' re-introduction of the Game Theory catalog continues with the 30th Anniversary reissue of 'Real Nighttime'. Their first in a long line of albums produced by Mitch Easter (R.E.M., Let's Active), this version adds an astonishing 13 bonus tracks (10 previously unissued) to the original album's lauded twelve. From hard-to-find compilation tracks to live and unheard material (including covers of songs by Gerry Rafferty and Queen), 'Real Nighttime' now not only stands as the band's breakthrough, but as a true document of their emergence into the annals of music history. Available on CD, as well as a translucent red LP (with download card for entire CD program), 'Real Nighttime' stands as a fan favourite, and as a truly classic release. Packaging includes rare photos and an interview with Mitch Easter and series co-producer Pat Thomas, as well as notes from Byron Coley (Spin, Forced Exposure) and a remembrance from Carl Newman of The New Pornographers. The sun has risen once again on the Game Theory catalog. Now it's time to prepare for the 'Real Nighttime'.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Omnivore","offers":[{"title":"LP","offer_id":50524392063307,"sku":"385409","price":22.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0867\/1120\/6219\/files\/fb3bfe53-6cbc-47d9-ae01-29813610e006_thumbnail_4096.jpg?v=1728027142"},{"product_id":"blaze-of-glory","title":"Blaze of Glory","description":"\u003cp\u003eOmnivore Recordings releases the first in a series of expanded reissues of the Davis, California group's classic catalogue. 'Blaze Of Glory', originally released in 1982, was the first music from Miller and company, after an album and EP fronting Alternate Learning. It showed the beginnings of the power-pop mixed with new-wave sensibilities the band would become known for and even hints at the upcoming Paisley Underground sound that would take California by storm. Unavailable in its original form since its initial release (the material was remixed and re-recorded as part of a now out-of-print 1993 compilation that also commands top dollar in collector circles), the CD issue of 'Blaze Of Glory' contains the entire 12 track album, supplemented with 15 bonus tracks - 4 from Alternate Learning and 11 previously unissued tracks from Scott Miller's archive. The vinyl LP also sees its first reissue in over 3 decades. The first pressing on translucent pink vinyl contains a download card for the entire 27 song program.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Omnivore","offers":[{"title":"LP","offer_id":50524411986251,"sku":"379839","price":19.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"CD","offer_id":50524415623499,"sku":"379838","price":12.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0867\/1120\/6219\/files\/f9a9b5f7-f57f-41a5-a0be-76a9e5d1b355_thumbnail_4096.jpg?v=1728027187"}],"url":"https:\/\/shop.roughtrade.com\/de\/collections\/game-theory.oembed","provider":"Rough Trade","version":"1.0","type":"link"}