Customer Reviews

Gismodgery

5 star:		(28)
4 star:		(8)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Extremly hard to obtain but an absolute CD necessity, GISMODGERY is the fourth commercial release from the unchartably creative SELF. An interesting novelty (toy instruments) done in a manner of dignity, this record is just plain supercool. Once again MATT MAHAFEY and his bandmates prove their cutting edge pop know how is unmatched. This Japanese version is the same as the U.S. release save the import's bonus track, RESURRECT, which makes this disc worth the extra bucks (not to mention the fact that the U.S. version is all but impossible to track down). A must for the alternative pop afficianado.

Self is the name of the band of Matt Mahaffey. The name spurs from the fact that he records most of the songs by, you guessed it, himself. "Gizmodgery" is his latest release. You could call it a concept album; the concept being that besides his voice, all the instruments used in the recording of this album were toy instruments. Yes, you heard right. No electric guitars. No drums. No pianos. Only their toy equivalents. Quite the gutsy move.

But he pulls it off. He manages to make these toy instruments sound commonplace in his music. The idea of "only toy instruments" moves beyond being a gimmick into an expression. This album is unlike anything I've ever heard before. There is really no better way to describe it. It's sound is unique unto itself. And its a bit of a departure from previous Self albums. It moves out of the more rock oriented realms and begins to experiment with what can be done in the art of music. That's not to say this album doesn't rock.

With such songs as "Dead Man" and "Nine Lives" to the cover of the Doobie Brother's "What a Fool Believes" to the classic "Trunk Fulla Amps," this album doesn't stop (with the exception of "Chameleon", a song I could take or leave). Track after track you are hit by another rocking tune. Even the croonish "Ilovetoloveyourlovemylove" has a beat you can tap your foot to.

As a whole, the album is a well executed experiment in music that pays off. If you have the fifteen bucks and are tired of listening to music that sounds like everything else out there, pick this up. You won't be dissapointed.

For production value (or should i say genius?) MATT MAHAFFEY cannot possibly be outdone. This album was recorded solely with TOY INSTRUMENTS...thing is you shouldnt be fooled. As childish as it HAS to be, this is no amateur, silly, indie-rock record. Nor is it some low grade attempt to be arty or avante garde. Which the concept might lead you to expect. AND THAT IS WHAT MAKES IT STAND OUT AS A CUT ABOVE. This is top-notch brilliant pop music made with toys!!? And as usual SELF is relentlessly versatile and creative with composition.Once again showing off their ability to flow in and out of different musical styles with mastery. A fine example of this point occurs with the cover of "What a Fool Believes" by the Doobie Brothers. Just in case this isnt sinking, let me say this again. We're talking "What a Fool Believes " played on toy instuments!!!??? What's most impressive is all of the TOYS on the album were recorded w/out the help of a sample machine yet the production sounds so good you cannot fathom how it was done.

Did I mention that this isnt even their best record?

Recorded using toy instruments only (such as toy guitars, drums, keys, etc., and plain childrens toys), "Gizmodgery" is a truly unique album in many ways. Comparable to "Subliminal Plastic Motives", "The Half-Baked Serenade", and "Breakfast With Girls" in sound and musicianship, "Gizmodgery", Self's 4th CD (not including "Feels Like Breaking Shit" and various boots), has a different feel to it at some points during the course of the CD. Obviously, the songwriting has a different approach to it, it ends up working quite well for most of the CD. On "I Am a Little Explosion", the music has a kind of sterile, inhuman feel to it, but that's the exception to the rule, for an album using strictly toy instruments and vocals (and handclaps), "Gizmodgery" sounds very much human, and all of the songs on here would sound great live. The constant barrage of toy sounds and bleeps doesn't become annoying at all, it's part of the overall charm of the album. The standout tracks, in my mind are "Dead Man", a nice piece of pop that has great lyrics to match the music behind it; "Trunk Fulla Amps", an obvious single which has an edited version included as track 13; "Miracleworker", which starts out with a guitar riff that brings to mind The Who's "I Can't Explain"; "Pattycake", a Prince-esque post-disco rave-up ode to a carefree childhood, complete with a handjive in the middle of the song; and "What a Fool Believes", a cover of the Doobie Brothers song, which improves upon the original, while sounding faithful to it, despite the usage of toy instruments. The usage of keys and synth is heavier on here than any Self album before, but the whole thing is excellent overall. A truly unique and quirky CD, "Gizmodgery" should get airplay on college radio stations because of the high level of musicianship Matt and co. display here. It's not my favorite Self album ("Subliminal Plastic Motives" is still the champ), but if you've ever enjoyed the music of Self, "Gizmodgery" is worth at least a good listen. Recommended to anyone who enjoys well-made pop music with a twist or 2.

If you havent heard SELF, GO BUY THEIR ALBUM! It is amazing that this cd along with "Breakfast with Girls" and "Subliminal Plastic Motives" is available on this website. They are almost impossible to find! However, while Gizmodgery is an extremely good cd, (made entirely by toys, yes, freakin toys like playschool stuff), im intimidated to pay the 40.00 for it. My best friend let me listen to this cd, and i couldnt put it down. Breakfast with Girls, Gizmodgery, Subliminal Plastic Motives, and The Half-Baked Serenade are all of SELF's albums. My personal fav. is Gizmodgery followed by Half-Baked as a close second. I was shocked when i heard this band play, and even more shocked that something this good could come from my homestate of Tennessee! If you havent heard this band, you owe it to yourself to listen to these extraordinarily talented musicians. You wont regret it in the least. I love this band, and hope that they release another album soon.

Literally. Even manned with merely cache of toy instruments, Self sounds as great as ever; and vastly blows away any Top 40 artists' musicianship in the process. Rest assured it won't take too many listens to this album to get utterly addicted & have its pop hooks flying around your brain @ all hours of the day & night. I was admittedly sketchy about the toy instrument concept album, but if I didn't know this fact, I probably couldn't tell because it comes off so flawlessly & superbly. Self is one of the most underappreciated bands around today. And on a level of pure selfishness [no pun intended], I hope they stay that way because I'm not sure I really want to share them with the rest of world like I had to with They Might Be Giants and other lesser-knowns; Still, I wouldn't outright object to Self egressing beyond indie fares & severely underpromoted big label albums... SO GO AHEAD & BUY THIS ALBUM ALREADY!

I am a newly found SELF fan and this cd blows me away every time I hear it. It's incredible how every song is done with toy instruments. It makes me wonder why noone has ever thought of it before. It is a must-have and a great investment for anyone who appreciates good music.

Befitting a millenial album, Gizmodgery serves as a landmark in popular music as well as SELF's own evolution. Matt Mahaffey's concept album employs children's toys -- think Fisher Price -- as the sole musical accomaniment to the vocal tracks.

Though the idea sounds silly, the result of SELF's labor is nothing short of splendid.

Every song stands on its own as a pop masterpiece, and with tracks that are as much fun as "Trunk Fulla Amps" or "Pattycake," it's no surprise that Gizmodgery is generally the most highly regarded of SELF's releases.

Gizmodgery is the fourth and newest SELF album, and exhibits the most musical finesse and unique style of all the albums. Though the previous three are all amazing in their own ways, Gizmodgery rises above its comparable competitors as one of the greatest albums of the 21st century.

Self's music has always been catchy. And if you don't think he's a creative pop/kitsch genius, consider the expedia jingle. You know it, and there's a reason you know it. It's creator, Matt Mahaffey, is the king of catchy. If you're intimidated by this disc's hefty price tag and aren't familiar with Matt's work, check out Subliminal Plastic Motives or Breakfast With Girls (or the free mp3 albums he has released over the past few years that you have to dig around the internet for). But once you've heard those and have fallen in love with them, find a way to GET THIS ALBUM. This disc has been a gem in my collection since I bought it. I played songs numerous times on my radio show to the delight of my listeners, bring it out at parties, and blow people's minds when I tell them all the music is made with toys. The lyrics are not brilliant by any means, but the music... Get the cd and you will understand.

I'm a longtime Self fan and I was a little skeptical when I heard he had a whole album of songs played with toy instruments, but I have to say, this album was AMAZING. There are no bad songs on it. If you are a Self fan, you have to get this album. My personal favorite songs are "Dead Man" and "Pattycake", but the album in general just blows me away. The cover of "What a Fool Believes" will make you wonder why they didn't make the song with toys in the first place. This album is so great!!!!!!!!!