Search - Self :: The Half-baked Serenade

Another Self album, another Masterpiece

Brian Allen | Kansas, USA | 08/05/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Almost everyone familiar with Matt Mahaffey and his little project Self is in love with it. This particular album was only released through a Spongebath catalogue, so it's quite rare and expensive. It's definitely worth however much it'll cost you, though.



After the mostly guitar-oriented sounds of the first Self album, Subliminal Plastic Motives, Matt decided to work some more with keyboards and sound effects. Contrary to what some people will tell you, though, this is still a fairly rocking album, and there's plenty of variety in the styles. While the album as a whole probably wouldn't rank as most fan's favorite album, it's got mostly great tracks and there really aren't any bad ones. It's also good, because it helps you understand how Matt's music progressed from SPM to Breakfast with Girls.



The album opens with a bang on Joy, the Mechanical Boy. It's got some frantic keyboard work, and the lyrics are delivered in a hip-hop style. One of the album's highlights. 5/5



The next track is Dielya Downtown. This is something of a fan favorite, and the band plays it live at most shows. It's got a jazzy feel to it, and a really catchy chorus. 5/5



Crimes on Paper is the third track, it's one of the most piano-oriented songs Matt has done. This track definitely has a feel to it that sounds old and nostalgic. 5/5



The fourth track is KiDdies, another popular track among fans and the album's single. The song has a silly-spooky sound to it, and lyrics about Marilyn Manson to match. It's been known to be played on various radio stations around Halloween. 5/5



The album's fifth track, Cinderblocks for Shoes, opens with a phone call from one of Matt's many obsessed fans. Poor guy. The actual song is a bit weird and hip-hop-ish, and not one of my favorites. It's not bad, though. 4/5



There are many rumors about the seventh track, Song for Nelson. One is that it's written for Prince Roger Nelson(A.K.A the man in the purple cape). Another is that it was written for a friend named Nelson, that was a big fan of Prince. It's also said that it was made using unreleased Prince songs. Regardless of what is and isn't true about it, it's a cool instrumental. 5/5



Matt often uses things from his childhood in his songs, and the album's seventh track, Preschool Days, is a good example of this. It has a sort of funky, hip-hop feel to it. Another great song. 5/5



The eigth track on the album, Cater to Your Ego, is definitely the most rocking song on the album. It's another one that they play live a lot, and it is good if a little short. 5/5



Microchip Girl, the ninth track, is a love ballad, with some cool guitar work and some of his better lyrics. 5/5



The album's last song is Sassy Britches. It starts out fairly soft and has a xylophone, but it ends up being one of the more guitar heavy songs on the album. 5/5



While Sassy Britches was the last listed track, there is a secret track which is called When You're Alone, on Self's website. It's mostly a hip-hop instrumental, with the vocals being used like an instrument. Some people don't like Matt's instrumentals, but this one is very good. 5/5



If you don't have Subliminal Plastic Motives or Breakfast with Girls, go for one of those first. They're much cheaper and easier to find, and perhaps just a little better. Once you have both of them, though, this is the next one you want to get."