Gizmodgery is the fifth studio album by alternative pop/rock band Self.[4][5] It released in 2000 by Spongebath Records. The LP was recorded entirely with children's toy instruments.[6] It was released in the short-lived HDCD format.
| Gizmodgery | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | ||||
| Studio album by | ||||
| Released | September 5, 2000 April 25, 2001 (Japan) | |||
| Recorded | Bennet House, Franklin, TN and Matt's Old House, Murfreesboro, TN | |||
| Genre | Alternative rock | |||
| Length | 42:11 | |||
| Label | Spongebath | |||
| Producer | Matt Mahaffey | |||
| Self chronology | ||||
| ||||
| Review scores | |
|---|---|
| Source | Rating |
| AllMusic |   [3] |
| Pitchfork | 6.9/10[2] |
| Portland Press Herald | A[1] |
The album contains a cover of the Doobie Brothers' hit song "What a Fool Believes".[7] "Trunk Fulla Amps" appears twice on the album, the second version with the expletives removed. The song references and parodies a variety of rock artists, including Freddie Mercury/Queen, ELO, Glenn Danzig/Danzig, and Lenny Kravitz.[citation needed] The Japanese import version of the album contains the bonus track "Resurrect", and alternate artwork.
Two songs from Breakfast with Girls ("Suzie Q Sailaway" and "Uno Song") had originally been recorded for inclusion on Gizmodgery but they were added to Breakfast at the insistence of DreamWorks Records.
Critical reception
editThe Pitch called the album "brilliantly conceived," writing that "even beyond the novelty of the toys’ sound, Gizmodgery is an enjoyable, diverse listening experience, as Self conjures up images of everyone from Queen and Jellyfish to the Doobie Brothers, whose 'What a Fool Believes' Self covers with disarming reverence."[8]
Track listing
editAll tracks are written by Self
| No. | Title | Length |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | "I Am a Little Explosion" | 3:39 |
| 2. | "5 Alive" | 3:12 |
| 3. | "Chameleon" | 2:56 |
| 4. | "Dead Man" | 3:07 |
| 5. | "Trunk Fulla Amps" | 3:27 |
| 6. | "Pattycake" | 4:08 |
| 7. | "Ordinaire" | 3:26 |
| 8. | "Miracleworker" | 2:06 |
| 9. | "Hi, My Name's Cindy" | 2:33 |
| 10. | "What a Fool Believes" (Doobie Brothers cover) | 3:46 |
| 11. | "9 Lives" | 2:36 |
| 12. | "Ilovetoloveyourlovemylove" | 4:26 |
| 13. | "Trunk Fulla Amps" (Edit) | 3:26 |
| Total length: | 42:11 | |
| No. | Title | Length |
|---|---|---|
| 14. | "Resurrect" | 3:22 |
| Total length: | 45:33 | |
Personnel
edit- Engineer - Matt Mahaffey (tracks: 1–4, 6, 8–11, 14), Shawn McLean (tracks: 5, 7, 12, 13)
- Mastering - Tom Baker
- Mixing - Chris James
- Writer, Performer - Chris James (tracks: 5, 7, 12, 13), Jason Rawlings (tracks: 5, 6, 7, 12, 13), Mac Burrus (tracks: 5, 6, 7, 12, 13), Matt Mahaffey (tracks: 1–9, 11–14), Mike Mahaffey (tracks: 5, 7, 12, 13)
References
edit- ^ Peters, Ryan (15 Oct 2000). "Self's fourth album 'Gizmodgery' is performed entirely on toy instruments and it's one lots of people are going to want". Portland Press Herald: 5E.
- ^ "Self Gizmodgery". Pitchfork. Retrieved 23 March 2021.
- ^ "AllMusic Review by Steve Huey". AllMusic. Retrieved 23 March 2021.
- ^ "Artist Biography by Heather Phares". AllMusic. Retrieved 23 March 2021.
- ^ ""WE NEVER BROKE UP, BUT WE GOT BURNED OUT"—MATT MAHAFFEY ON THE RETURN OF SELF". Alternative Press. 27 August 2014. Retrieved 23 March 2021.
- ^ "Leaders of the onetime Murfreesboro indie boom, Self, dip a toe into the 21st century". Nashville Scene. Retrieved 23 March 2021.
- ^ Hall, Rashaun (October 28, 2000). "'They're Playing My Song'". Billboard. Vol. 112, no. 44. p. 44.
- ^ "Best Albums of 2000: Critics' Picks". The Pitch. 14 December 2000. Retrieved 23 March 2021.
External links
edit- http://www.self-centered.org The Self Fan Community - lyrics and other information