Gizmodgery

Self | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (September 5, 2000)
• Original Release Date: September 5, 2000
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Spongebath Records
• ASIN: B00004XSKY
• In-Print Editions: Audio CD  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (38 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #377,260 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Track Listings

1. I Am a Little Explosion

2. 5 Alive

3. Chameleon

4. Dead Man

5. Trunk Fulla Amps

6. Patty Cake

7. Ordinaire

8. Miracleworker

9. Hi, My Name's Cindy

10. What a Fool Believes

11. 9 Lives

12. Ilovetoloveyourlovemylove

13. Trunk Fulla Amps [Edit]

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Toy genius., September 17, 2003

By 

Hogarth Hughes (Rockwell, ME) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Gismodgery (Audio CD)

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.

11 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars An Accomplished Undertaking, September 8, 2000

By 

cinephile100 (Sewell, NJ USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Gizmodgery (Audio CD)

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.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars SELF MASTERY., March 11, 2005

By 

marc "marc" (new york) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Gismodgery (Audio CD)

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?