Lolita Nation (Expanded Reissue)

Game Theory

Omnivore, 2016

http://www.loudfamily.com

REVIEW BY: David Bowling

ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED: 06/18/2016

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While it is arguably one of the brilliant albums of the late 1980s, Game Theory’s Lolita Nation has been out-of-print for nearly a quarter of a century…until now.

The original 27-track double LP is now presented as in all its quirky glory. The sound has been remastered and has new liner notes, plus interviews with the band and other original contributors. In addition, there is a second disc that contains 21 alternate mixes, live recordings, and radio sessions. Covers of material by David Bowie, The Sex Pistols, Elvis Costello, Joy Division, The Smiths, and The Hollies serve to enhance the album’s listenability and make it a lot more interesting.

The music on this disc invokes a number of emotions. Sadness and joy mix with anger and warmth into a cascading smorgasbord of sound and words. Scott Miller plumbs the depths of his mind and soul for images that are opposed to each other. All of this happens within an alternative rock and pop idiom.

Lolita Nation is an album to be appreciated, even if it is a difficult listen at times. It should be approached as a suite with different parts that oddly manage to hang together. It can be challenging, but if you keep at it, you will experience one of the better albums of its era.

Rating: A-

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