Hidden Gem: Self- Gizmodgery

by David Miller in Album Reviews, Editorials, Opinion Posts, Reviews

In every home, among every person’s music collection is at least one “hidden gem”.  Sure, it may not look like much.  Maybe the sleeve is torn, or the vinyl is scuffed.  But with one drop of the needle, we’re reminded over and over again why we can never let go of it; why we insist that it be represented on every mix CD we make for someone.
 
So, let’s dust off some of these albums, starting with one that’s never wandered too far from my CD player since it was released in 2001.

Artist: Self
Album: Gizmodgery
Label: Spongebath/Dreamworks

The cover art for Self’s fourth release proudly boasts that “THESE SMASH HITS WERE RECORDED USING TOY INSTRUMENTS ONLY!”  Which, at a glance, seems like a cute novelty at best.  It certainly isn’t a new concept.  I’ve heard Pianosarus before and, well… it wouldn’t bother me if I never heard them again.  They weren’t bad, but they began and ended with the novelty of being “that band that uses toys.” 

Self- the moniker for producer, songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Matt Mahaffey – had the creativity and chops to expand on this idea.  Gizmodgery doesn’t suggest even an ounce of novelty.  Instead, it plays like a masterpiece.  The whole “toy thing” is secondary to the music itself.  It’s as if Mahaffey asked himself, “How can I limit myself to only working with these instruments and still make something exceptional?” 

The combination of varied influences, from hip hop to noise rock, rivals even the best of Beck’s repertoire. The music is aggressive, danceable, and fun- all without ever being “cute”.  Songs like Dead Man, Ordinaire, and ILoveToLoveYourLoveMyLove are catchy, cleaver and unforgettable.  Self even offers a very faithful cover of the Doobie Brothers’ What A Fool Believes, which outshines the original with a few more creative drum fills and the very idea that these toys sound remarkably similar to the 70’s synth sounds on the Doobie’s original.

Sonically, Gizmodgery is one of the most thoughtfully produced albums I’ve ever heard.  It’s got an unmistakably warm, unique feel, offering bass and keyboard sounds that, at times, make it difficult to remember you’re listening to toys at all.  The guitars scream, and the drums are punchy and big without ever being soulless or over-produced.  A closer listen with a decent set of headphones reveals just how much is going on in these recordings, much like a Beach Boys album.  Little moments in the arrangements of these songs suddenly bring the album to life in a whole new way.  It goes way beyond ear candy.

As the front cover would suggest, there really are “smash hits” on this album.  It’s just too bad that no one ever told the general listening public.

Suggested link: www.self-centered.org