Music For Robots

April 20, 2005 | Posted by j.p. at 10:26 PM

outta the woodwork

Self. right. it's a bit of a cult, alongside other 90's bands that half of us have never heard of, and the other half is all "oh MAN they're so great! why ain't they sold more CDs?" about (bands like Failure, et al.), and the Selfies are uber-dedicated to following Matt Mahaffey's semi-vaporware band, Self.

I've posted Self before on the site, but the aforementioned uber-dedicated masses over at the extensive, meticulous and lovingly maintained Selfies.com have put together a complete CD, with liner notes and all, full of outtakes and other material generated during the sessions for the upcoming album (which, no joke, I think has been in production for at least two years at this point, so where is it?) Ornament and Crime. the album is fittingly called Porno, Mint and Crime, and the entire thing complete with liner notes and cover art can be downloaded for free [here]. you can also download and get information about the rest of Self's catalog in the extensive Discography. this track comes from PMG, and shows off Self's classic style.

did I mention they recorded an entire album with instruments and toys they bought at Toys R Us? and it sounds great? good. also, Matt's brother sometimes plays in the band as well. so that's sweet.

you can pick up Self's previous releases virtually anywhere, or [order them from Insound].

Comments

I love the Expedia.com micro-jingle. And "Trunk Fulla Amps," played on the kids' toys.

Posted by: Jim Treacher at April 20, 2005 11:33 PM

I so used to have those sneakers he's wearing, and I loved them.

Posted by: Kristen at April 21, 2005 10:49 AM

The album you speak of (O&C) is probably shelved indefinitely as Dreamworks has been swallowed up by Interscope and I doubt wants much to do with the album.

Posted by: Michael at April 21, 2005 11:13 AM

Holy cow - that is one of the best pure pop songs I've heard in years. This album is definitely the next thing I buy. Thanks for the tip.

Posted by: KJB at April 21, 2005 5:22 PM

good luck buying it - it's free.

but do watch for Self shows, collabs, and look into their back library.

Posted by: jp at April 21, 2005 6:39 PM

Best band EVER.

Posted by: The Dan at April 21, 2005 8:15 PM

i still have this old ass promo copy of the first self album from waaay back in the early 90's. it was the one cd where i absolutely loved every single song, and time period wise, personally, it made perfect sense.

but by the time breakfast with girls came out, i was done with self. the sound was too synthesized, too 'in the bedroom with a computer and sound bytes' kind of feel and i was done.

thanks so much for posting this song, to remind me how good and talented matt really is.

Posted by: jw at April 22, 2005 2:12 AM

always always pleased to see people talking about self, i don't think he ever gets his due. thanks!

Posted by: justin at April 22, 2005 9:47 AM

Wait a minute....

Now, don't judge me just yet... but there was a song in Shrek by a band called Self. "Stay Home", if I remember right. Is this the same band I wonder? They do sound similar....

Posted by: Amanda at April 24, 2005 1:49 PM

I saw this days ago and didn't listen till right now. what a mistake to wait. this shit is great, i love it!

Posted by: nora at April 24, 2005 5:42 PM

Amanda - it is the same band!

Posted by: jp at April 24, 2005 8:13 PM

Oh my god this was exactly what i needed! this song is pure pop bliss!, I gotta go download the rest of this free cd now, laters!

Posted by: Audacity at April 26, 2005 3:50 AM

Hey, JP, this is probably meaningless in the grand scheme of things, but I used to be friends with Gabe back in high school, as did my wife Jeannie. We're living in Tokyo right now, and I've become a real music blog hound. Lo and behold, I stumble upon a great blurb about one of my favourite underrated auteurs, Matt Mahaffey. I think to myself, "I remember gave me that copy of 'Self Feels Like Breaking Shit' after high school" as I notice YOU wrote the post. Quelle coincidence!

I also know you used to live in Japan, because Gabe talked about it all the time. So yeah, the whole Self/music blog/Japan circuitousness kind of fucked my mind for a minute. Neato!

Posted by: Seb at April 27, 2005 11:47 AM

fools, this songs is Weezer "Island In The Sun" with new words......

Posted by: um at April 27, 2005 12:56 PM

ISLAND IN THE SUN!!

Posted by: at April 27, 2005 12:56 PM

yeah right. listen to Weezer's (awful) new single - they rip off every Self track ever made. post-Pinkerton, they might be the worst band ever.

Posted by: you asshole at April 27, 2005 5:50 PM

Self's "Breakfast With Girls" is always on my 'Desert Island CDs' list. I think, pending Ornament and Crime's release, it's their best work.

Posted by: at April 27, 2005 10:33 PM

I went to school with Matt. He was a great guy then and very talented. So glad to see that he is still doing what he loves and with great success. Congrats! His stuff ROCKS!!

Posted by: Susan at May 4, 2005 1:47 PM

I have to say that I've been a fan of Self ever since the Subliminal Plastic Motive days, however, Gizmodgery is by far the best album....and to think it was created entirely by toy instruments. Also, if you get a chance, listen to 'Stay Home' off the Shrek 2 soundtrack by them. Another ditty!!

Posted by: Justin at May 7, 2005 7:56 PM