Distortion

With production from fellow '60s music appreciator Michael Quercio, who would end up in the band himself in its final days, on Distortion, Game Theory continues its musical quest with some beautiful art pop. Quercio, in particular, seems to have helped pump up the power pop end of things -- certainly the exultant charge of the opening "Shark Pretty" has some of the band's strongest-sounding guitar yet, all without losing the breezy sweetness of the band. From there the EP is one set of treats after another, such as the rumbling drum punch and keyboard lead of "Nine Lives to Rigel Five" or the dreamy acoustic strum and synth of "The Red Baron." Admittedly, Fred Juhos' attempt at electro hip-hop, "Kid Convenience," falls somewhere between brilliance and sheer inanity. Miller practically defines winsome vocal sweetness spiked with bite (Kurt Ralske was either listening in or arrived at a similar point via Ultra Vivid Scene), while the band collectively put in great performances. ~ Ned Raggett