...and partly because I just shnorred a copy of Miller's 1987 album (with Game Theory) Lolita Nation...
...which I'm ashamed to admit I hadn't heard till earlier this week.
In any case, I'll have more to say about both of those down the line, but in the meanwhile, and by way of wishing everybody a great weekend, here's one of my favorite Miller songs, from one of my absolute all-time favorite 90s albums, The Loud Family's Plants and Birds and Rocks and Things.
Jeebus H. Christ on a piece of challah french toast, that's some brilliant shit. Even more incredibly, they could play it live (and that's another subject for future discussion).
In any case, you can -- and very definitely should -- buy Brett's book over at Amazon HERE.
9 comments:
I got into Scott Miller late, and not until the 1990 Game Theory compilation, TINKERS TO EVERS TO CHANCE, after which I recall thinking, "How come no one ever told me about Game Theory and Scott Miller? How the hell did I miss this?" Afterwards, I got all of the Game Theory albums, and picked up each Loud Family album upon release. If I recall correctly, Steve, you posted something about a GoFundMe fund for Miller's wife and kids following his passing a little less than three years ago. A worthy cause, and fans can still do so at https://www.gofundme.com/2nz0vk.
I can think of few other artists who brought me as much enjoyment as Miller, and sadly, I never got to see the band. Some, but not all of the early Game Theory albums sound thin, but jeeeeez! There's so much in the way of ideas and melodies and lyrics that imperfect recording quality is only a minor point! Sure, Miller got labelled as an over-wordy "collegiate" songwriter, but when you CAN write, the criticism is meaningless. Yeah, that Dickens, he wrote a LOT! And I'm reminded of Jackie Mason's description of yentas telling him that he's too Jewish!
The fours straight Loud Family albums from 1994 - 2000, THE TAPE OF ONLY LINDA, INTERBABE CONCERN, DAYS FOR DAYS, and ATTRACTIVE NUISANCE, are gems, and his final album, WHAT IF IT WORKS? (2006) contains my favorite Miller song, TOTAL MASS DESTRUCTION (see https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=496NSgkZyrc) and a great cover of the Stones' ROCKS OFF.
His stuff is ALWAYS on my phone and in my car. And thanks for the Brett Milano tip.
That one took me completely by surprise - love it!
That's great.
This one's lovely too.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7XnP7C44DXA
I'm one of those geeks that was into Game Theory from way back. I loved Lolita Nation when it came out, but always viewed it as a but of an oddity. Now, 30 years older, I hear it and think "Wow! I get it now!" It is an incredible album.
Was introduced to Game Theory by a non-student DJ who had a weekend show on The Space. He used to "relax" at one of our places which we called "The Pit." It was the house we didn't have the toddlers at because of the pet snakes, among other things. It was a funky old place built with field stones by amateurs during the depression.
Game Theory's records were easy to find at the college record store. The one on Lolita Records was my first purchase. When they switched to Enigma I got all their records for free because I had some connections at Greenworld and Capitol. Still have 'em all. But I did buy some of the Omnivore reissues for the awesome bonus material.
Never got past the "word of mouth", "cult" band status in these parts. Some of their stuff was really great. Tons better than the R.E.M. type crap that was circulating at the time, even if they had the same producer. They were much more interesting. And Miller was their J.C. Fogerty.
Can't say I've listened to much of their stuff in a long while, so thanks for springing me. Brings the 1980's Big Star revivalism into focus. Miller, more than anyone else captured their essence, and then some. But I like my "intelligent" rock in small doses.
Had the pleasure of seeing Game Theory open for The Three O'Clock in the mid 1980's at The Palace. The sound and acoustics were bad so my tape is pretty worthless. Also saw them at a small short-lived club in San Diego at which they were wonderful, intimate. Got 'em on a cheap Aiwa I had in my purse.
As far as the Loud Family goes, the earlier the better, imho. They could be great live if spotty at times during a show. The performances ebbed and flowed nicely. Saw the Louds at Spaceland and the good old Alligator Lounge on Pico in late 1990's. My car got towed after the latter which made the show that much more memorable. How was I to know that parking in the spacious empty parking lot of a closed grocery store across the street was illegal? I wasn't the only one who got fucked. Saw them open for Aimee Mann mid-1990's too. A total reverse bill.
Always loved Rosy Overdrive in the live setting.
VR - dreaming in cliches
Do any of the other readers of this blog have lives that you live wherein you do things and meet people, and yet you don't, for some reason, share these experiences? Imagine how much richer existence could be for us all if we could contemplate and compare the details of our daily doings. Don't just assume that a description of the minutiae of your life would be perceived as something less than fascinating by other readers! Did you have a good BM today, VR?
Hey, leave VR alone! She's the only reason I come to this site. Well, OK not the ONLY reason ... the music's pretty cool too. And the commenting community are (mostly) a nice bunch.
Hey Vickie Rock, I love you even if you have a soft spot for Gene Simmons.
Vickie knows more than most people want to know, and it offends them.
VR is a lousy lay!!!.
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