Game Theory

According to Miller, bands like the Dream Syndicate and Thin White Rope caught his imagination around the time of this release's appearance. While things aren't as completely fried as those two bands, on Pointed Accounts, Game Theory do have a slightly moodier shade to play around with. Consider the contrast between winning melody and slightly fragile edge on "Penny, Things Won't," not to mention Miller's reference to things like unstable pavements as metaphors. Generally, the six songs on Pointed Accounts find Game Theory still in general thrall to its '60s-inspired, '80s-recorded indie pop vision -- not quite revivalist but avoiding mainstream temptations. "Selfish Again" makes for a catchy little rocker, slowly growing in steady intensity and adding a little bit of glazed VU/psych drone in the background, while the amiably quirky "Life in July" is pure herky-jerky new wave synth fun, a bubbling rush of fun that lives up to the title. ~ Ned Raggett, All Music Guide