Customer Reviews

Breakfast With Girls

5 star:		(37)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

Boasting enough big pop hooks to make John Lennon smile in his grave, and with enough irony to satisfy a small nation, Matt Mahaffey (aka Self) is the pride of Murfreesboro, Tennessee. This small college town of 75,000 is where he honed his craft; drumming for bluegrass and reggae groups and assisting local rappers in the studio. Finally, after a short-lived major label deal and a bizarro guitarless record, The Half-Baked Serenade, Mahaffey is back with the brilliant third installment in the saga of Self, entitled Breakfast With Girls. It's a record that seems to walk the common ground between his guitar-oriented `95 debut, Subliminal Plastic Motives and Serenade, and whether he's messing around with string sections ("What Are You Thinking?"), ancient Casio keyboards ("Uno Song") or building entire songs around LL Cool J samples (the title track), everything that Mahaffey touches turns to gold. And he accentuates these songs perfectly with a unique, clever lyrical style, such as in tracks like "Paint By Numbers," a witty condemnation of prepackaged top 40 garbage ("Why tear out my heart, for all the world to see?/Why not paint by numbers, catchy melodies?") and a quirkiness that can be found on the off-center lettering on the album's cover. Breakfast With Girls seems just too smart and eclectic to make it in today's musical world where the melodically challenged rule, but at least do yourself a favor; become one of the informed ones and pick this record up today. You'll remember what good music sounded like.

what a shame - it just may be that the only people that ever heard this album are those who reviewed it here, and those who live in matt mahaffey's home town. i literally stumbled upon it based solely on the other reviewer's recommendations. this is a beautiful pop album, in the spirit of beck and the beach boys. songs like 'meg ryan', 'suzie q...', 'paint by numbers', and last but not least 'what are you thinking' are pure pop perfection. 'what are you thinking' is a masterpiece of modern pop. i burn a lot of cd mixes for people, and nothing gives me more pleasure than to include one or all of these songs on one made for a friend who loves 'radio rock'. i agree with another reviewer when he/she says that they only wish that they could make music like this too. i bought his first two albums after hearing this one, and subliminal plastic motives is excellent as well.

Matt Mahaffey is a man with a lot going on in his head. And luckily for us he takes a lot of it and releases it as some powerful pop music. He has an encyclopedic knowledge of pop and knows how to put together mini-epics that sound like somebody put Jellyfish in the blender with Beck, Nirvana and Ben Folds Five. But comparing Self to other bands is disingenuous because Mahaffey is a real original. These songs will never leave your skull--you'll hum and sing the tunes when you least expect it. If you like great pop melodies, tons of energy (crunchy guitars, groovy breakbeats) and an unusual sense of fun, you can't go wrong with this disc....

I got this album several years ago after hearing the fantastic single "Paint By Numbers" off the "Dead Man on Campus" soundtrack. The first time I heard the album, I was sorry I bought it, but by listen number three, I felt like I never wanted to put another album in my CD player. If you like bands like Weezer and Lit and Jimmy Eat World, you'll also like Self. Every song on the CD isn't great, but it also contains five or six of the best songs I've ever heard in my life (and I can say this many years after first hearing the CD). This album is an unbelievable masterpiece.

If you asked someone if they have heard of Self, chances are they'll say who? Matt Mahaffey(the only permanent member) has even joked that if you requested Self on the radio, they would probably play Seal, instead. It's a real shame, too, because Self is probably the best pop act out there, and the new album, Ornament and Crime, will likely never see the light of day. It's also unlikely that the band will be touring anytime soon, because lead guitarist and Matt's brother, Mike Mahaffey recently passed away in May of 2005.

As great as Self is, it's easy to see why they've never caught on. Their songs are catchy, but they don't really fit into any existing radio formats. Despite their hip-hop influences, stations that would normally play that type of music ignore them because it's rock oriented, and rock stations won't play Self because of the hip hop influence. And pop stations are out of the question. It's a little too out there for those listeners.

Self has also been through some bad management issues with their major label, Dreamworks Records. Dreamworks always loved Matt's work and had him do some work for both Shrek films, and payed for him to do tracks for other movies which didn't get used. The problem is they had no idea how to market Self, and they ended up throwing support to bands like Powerman 5000 and Papa Roach, which aren't too bad, but not on the same level as Self.

To make things worse the music section of Dreamworks was bought by Universal Records. Self has a new album, Ornament and Crime, that is ready to be released. Universal is hesitant to release it though, because they believe it will be a flop. If there was ever a Self album that would break into the mainstream this is it. Most Selfies(as Self fans sometimes call themselves) have mp3s of the album, and while some think it's disappointing, it would definitely please listeners of modern rock and punk. The guitars are very heavy on the album's mix, more than any other album Self has done, and the songs are as catchy as they've always been. I always thought Self sounded a bit like Weezer, and here it's more obvious than ever. It looks like it will never see a wide release, though.

Enough of the problem's Matt had attaining success. This is Matt and company's peak of song writing. This is both the best of their 3 major releases and the best of their albums including indie and internet releases. However, due to its eclectic nature, this may not be the best place to start for new fans. I'd recommend starting with Subliminal Plastic Motives, which is more rock-oriented. Once you get used to Matt's style, though, you should love this. It's his most diverse album yet, and he went all out using orchestras, weird sound effects, and even a sample of LL Cool J. Indeed it's a lot to take in during one listen, but that's not a problem. You'll love the songs so much that you'll listen to the album again and again.

The album opens with the End of it All. After the first piano chords, you'll probably be unsure what to expect, but then it turns into a good rock meets electronics style song. One of the catchiest on the album. 5/5

The next track, Kill the Barflies, shows you another side of Self, the spooky side. Well, spooky sound effects anyway. Matt has made a song like this on almost every one of his albums, and they're always pretty cool. Barflies may be the best one yet. 5/5

The album's third track is Meg Ryan. This was meant to be a big hit single, but Dreamworks never shot a video, and didn't do anything to promote it. If you can't tell from the title these are some of Matt's most playful lyrics yet about what it would be like to be romantically linked to a movie star. It's also one of his catchiest songs ever and voted by Selfies as the second best Self song. 5/5

Following that is another would be single, Suzie Q Sailaway. Matt intended to put this on the all toy album, Gizmodgery, but Dreamworks insisted that he included it here instead. It's easy to see why. It's one of Matt's hardest rocking songs ever, and this version easily outdoes the toy version, which Matt released on the b-side album Selfafornia. It's also very catchy, with more over-the-top lyrics. Also features one of Mike's best solos ever. 5/5

Completing the trio of songs that should've been hits is Uno Song. This is one of the more pop focused tracks on the album, but don't let that fool you. It's still a great song. You might find the lead keyboard to be annoying the first listen(I sure did), but after that it really grows on you. And it has lyrics that anyone could relate to. Like Suzie Q Sailaway, it features another great solo from Mike. 5/5

Next is Paint by Numbers which deals with the temptations of selling out in order to be more successful. Another great track, and the rap influence shows more on this track. 5/5

The seventh track on BWG is What Are You Thinking?, which alternates between happy and mellow. Maybe he should do more mellow stuff, because this is definitely a standout track. The strings on it are simply breathtaking. The lyrics are good, too. I especially like the line, "I've got mountains of regret and my sorrow fills an ocean." It was voted the best Self song by Selfies. 5/5

Following this is Sucker, which is quite a change from the previous track. It features some samples from an Ella Fitzgerald song, which give it an authentic jazz sound, but it certainly doesn't need them. It has some of his best lyrics yet. The chorus line is especially good. 5/5

After Sucker is Breakfast with Girls. I used to not like this track so much, but it's grown on me. This is where the rap influence shows the most, and it has some more jazzy sounds in the background. If you're wondering this is the track with LL Cool J. On the chorus, a sample is played of him saying, "the G, the I, the R, the L, the S". The bridge is also very cool, and is an extension of the bridge from the b-side, Life Could be Swell. 5/5

Better than Aliens is another one of Matt's quirky love songs, this time done in a loungey style. Reminds me of those Vegas singers, but in a good way. The title should give you an idea of what the lyrics are like. 5/5

It All Comes Out in the Wash has some more rap influence, but it also has some bluesy harmonica. The horns are especially great. This song is great on here, but it's even better live. 5/5

After that is Callgirls, which is another one of the aformentioned "spooky songs". One of the harder songs on here, but also features a suprising piano interlude, and a misleading intro, which sounds like it's going to be some kind of industrial song with strings. 5/5

The album's closer is Placing the Blame, another piano based track, which also has some strings. This is the most mellow track on the album, but it's also one of my favorites. At about 3:00 into it the strings come in and the song picks up a little. Despite the mellow music, the lyrics are deliciously goofy. A great way to end the album. My favorite Self song. 5/5

I'm not sure that Self's bad critics really ever gave them a chance. Take the review below mine, for example. It's like the guy put it in and didn't even try to enjoy it. Self is hardly "amateurish". There's too much going on here to call Matt an amateur, and Self often sounds annoying to new listeners, because it's so different from other music. However, it definitely grows on you the more you hear it. I also often hear complaints that it's too big for its own good. I might agree if the songs themselves had no substance, but the songs themselves are well written, so the layers only add.

All in all, this is a great album and if you don't own it you should get it at all costs. Thankfully it's his second most common release and while Amazon no longer stocks it, it's still easy to find from third parties, so it shouldn't cost too much. If you have any interest in power pop, you'll love it, and even if you don't there's enough variety here to find something you enjoy.

I listen to alot of different types of music: punk, ska, rock, alternative, classic rock, jazz, techno. And of all the musical greats in any of these categories, from The Beatles, to Moby, to Nirvana, Self is by far the best. Or at least in my opinion. In this album, Matt Mahaffey manages to pack each song with an uncanny combination of unforgettable lyrics, fun and fascinating musical textures, and the occasional poignant insight into modern man, relationships, and the recording industry he is so much a part of. The music is at the same time unmistakeably modern and timelessly delightful. Each one of Self's songs makes you want to quit your job, buy a mixer, and just try to match the beauty, power, and energy of its music. I think that every human should be issued a copy of this album at birth. And Self's other albums, The Halfbaked Serenade, availble on the Spongebath Records site, and Subliminal Plastic Motives, available at Amazon, are no different. And while you're at it, download the free (! ) examples of equal, and occasionally better music that Self has put up in mp3 form on the Dreamworks Records site

I'd say that this is my favorite Self album with absolute truth in my heart, but I'd also be lying. They're all great and all worth your time and money. It's just that only people in their hometown and people who review the albums know about them.

I've got all 4 albums by Self that I know of (Half-Baked Serenade, Gizmodgery, Subliminal Plastic Motives, and Breakfast with Girls) and they're (he) my favorite "rock" band, though they're so much more.

Realistically, there isn't a bad track on this album. It's experimental, but it's really accessable as it's just good pop music. Experimental because Matt Mahaffey likes to experiment with styles and instruments. Some songs have a hip-hop flavor, yet maintain their pop sensibility. Originally, I heard "Paint By Numbers" on a Dreamworks sample album. I already owned "Subliminal Plastic Motives" and "paint By numbers" sounded like a new move for Self. I patiently waited for my local music shop to get the album. Weeks and months went by. I couldn't find anyone who knew... Then I hit a little hole in the wall record store in my hometown... They had one copy, and it "wasn't very old" according to the crusty-looking guy behind the counter. I brought it home, put it in the CD player, and since then, it STILL gets heavy rotation.

if you don't know Self already... give it a chance. It's well worth your time and money. Help Support worthwhile music while it still exists. Good music is going the way of the dinosaur and is being replaced by bad music by good-looking people (I am one of the believers that MTV is slowly murdering music as we know it). Don't let this trend kill things that we should all hold dear, like great music. BUY THIS ALBUM. (and with that, I'm off of my soapbox)

Being a Nashville native, I've been hearing and seeing Self live since they emerged during my high school years. It has long since bothered me that a band of such talent has gone unheard by so many people. If you've never heard their music, you're in for a treat. The songs are primarily the musical madness of front man Matt Mahaffey and are the most ecletic, random, incredibly crafted pieces of music I've yet to ever hear. Also see their first album, "Subliminal Plastic Motives." "Breakfast With Girls" is a blend of countless genres of music and is assured to be unlike anything you've ever heard. Long live Self. This album is a classic.

When BWG originally came out.. (on DREAMWORKS) it didn't get much hype. I heard some of SELF'S songs on Dreamworks movies (Like SHREK and DEAD MAN ON CAMPUS) but SELF never got any air or video play they really deserved...So I bought it and was impressed what Matt M. and his cohorts could do with everything. From guitars to toy instruments and samples, this album has it all. I love "End Of It All". It starts off as a simple pop/rock number then becomes a sonic mess at the end. Then we're treated to the hip-hop/pseudo-punk fury of "Kill The Barflies". "Meg Ryan" is one of my favorite tracks due to the beats. Every song is different and beautiful. (Listen to "Better Than Aliens") But the standout tracks are "Sucker" which in a weird way sounds like a song that was written in the 1920's... or Prohibition period. And "What are you thinking?" which should've became the radio hit it deserved to be. Buy it and tell your friends about your SELF.

Matt Mahaffey, the creative force behind Self, has accomplished one of the most compelling and enjoyable albums I have ever heard. In his first outing on DreamWorks records, the band has produced a powerful and skilled recording full of catchy hooks, uncommon sampling and creatively appealing lyrics. All of this is backed up with competent instrumentation. This album just knocks the balls off of my chin and forces me to take notice. And notice I did. Not to say that the other tracks on this CD aren't anything less than outstanding, but be sure to pay close attention to "The End of it All", "It All Comes Out in the Wash" and "Placing the Blame".