| The Half-Baked Serenade | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
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| Studio album by | ||||
| Released | March 5, 1997 | |||
| Studio | Matt's House (Murfreesboro) | |||
| Genre | ||||
| Length | 33:43 | |||
| Label | Spongebath | |||
| Producer | Matt Mahaffey | |||
| Self chronology | ||||
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| Singles from The Half-Baked Serenade | ||||
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The Half-Baked Serenade is the second studio album by American pop rock band Self, released through Spongebath Records on March 5, 1997.
Following the success of Self's debut album Subliminal Plastic Motives (1995), lead member Matt Mahaffey and his brother Mike recruited keyboardist Chris James, drummer Jason Rawlings, and bassist Tim Nobles to sustain touring as a band. They later found difficulty working with Nobles, leading to his removal from the group and lack of appearance on any album. During the same period, Mahaffey frequently received invitations to strip clubs from radio personalities and other music industry colleagues for his association with Subliminal Plastic Motives. Mahaffey's strong disinterest in this lifestyle led him to drop his guitar usage, citing the stereotypes around rock bands like Eve 6 and Green Day as the reason. [2]
After touring with rock band Cracker for two months, Mahaffey returned home and found a message from a crazed fan in his answering machine. She had developed a parasocial relationship with him, believing his music to be about her and sharing personal information, including an interest in dressing like Marilyn Manson. After removing his name from the city's phone book, Mahaffey incorporated the message into the songs "KiDdies" and "Cinderblocks for Shoes", directly sampling it in the latter. Another song, "Joy, the Mechanical Boy", was stated to be about ecstasy use. [3] Using a Discman, [2] Self recorded the album solely in Mahaffey's living room. [1]
Following completion, The Half-Baked Serenade was released without any promotion in contrast to the high-budget marketing campaign by Zoo Entertainment for their previous album. [3] The album was sold on CD for $7 USD ($13.00 in 2023), available exclusively through mail order from Spongebath Records. [1] Its limited publicity led the band's shift in style not to reach many fans, believing Self to still focus on alternative rock. [4] "KiDdies" was later marketed as the album's sole single, receiving radio play nationwide and ranking number one on some stations. [3] Since Spongebath's dissolution, Mahaffey has maintained independent rights to the album. [5] In 2014, "Microchip Girl" appeared as part of a live acoustic set by Self. [6]
| Review scores | |
|---|---|
| Source | Rating |
| Pitchfork | 7.5/10 [7] |
| Spin | 7/10 [8] |
The Half-Baked Serenade received favorable reviews upon release. Shan Fowler of Pitchfork gave the album a rating of 7.5/10, [7] while Chuck Eddy of Spin gave it a rating of 7/10. [8] It received additional praise from Laurent of Indiepoprock, [9] and Gabe Besecker of Woof Magazine. [4]
All tracks are written by Matt Mahaffey.
| No. | Title | Length |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Joy, the Mechanical Boy" | 4:11 |
| 2. | "Dielya Downtown" | 2:16 |
| 3. | "Crimes on Paper" | 2:57 |
| 4. | "KiDdies" | 2:33 |
| 5. | "Cinderblocks for Shoes" | 2:56 |
| 6. | "Song for Nelson" | 1:57 |
| 7. | "Preschool Days" | 3:02 |
| 8. | "Cater to Your Ego" | 1:58 |
| 9. | "Microchip Girl" | 3:39 |
| 10. | "Sassy Britches" | 5:04 |
| 11. | "When You're Alone" (bonus track) | 3:07 |
| Total length: | 33:43 | |
Credits adapted from the album's liner notes. [10]
| Chart (1997–1998) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| Alternative Radio Airplay (CMJ) [11] | 48 |
| CMJ Top 200 [12] | 70 |
Matt Mahaffey is an American multi-instrumentalist, record producer, composer, and recording engineer best known for his band Self and his composer collective Cake in Space.
Subliminal Plastic Motives is the debut studio album by American pop rock band Self, released on October 24, 1995, through Zoo Entertainment and Spongebath Records. Its songs were written and recorded by brothers Mike and Matt Mahaffey, the band's sole members. The album was promoted through the singles "Cannon" and "So Low", each receiving airplay and accompanied by music videos that contributed to the album's success.
Self is an American pop rock band formed in 1993 in Murfreesboro, Tennessee. The band is led by vocalist and multi-instrumentalist Matt Mahaffey, additionally consisting of keyboardist Chris James, bassist Mac Burrus, and drummer Jason Rawlings. Former members include guitarist Mike Mahaffey and touring bassist Tim Nobles. The group began as a duo on Spongebath Records with the Mahaffey brothers, immediately picked up by Zoo Entertainment to release their debut album, Subliminal Plastic Motives (1995). It sold over 40,000 copies in its first two years with support from the singles "Cannon" and "So Low". After expanding the lineup for live performances, the band embraced an experimental approach with The Half-Baked Serenade (1997), followed by a compilation of demos, Feels Like Breakin' Shit (1998).
Feels Like Breakin' Shit is the first compilation album by American alternative rock band Self, released for free via Spongebath Records and DreamWorks Records as an internet download in 1998. It consists of songs scrapped from the band's first two albums along with other demos, covers, and parodies.
Breakfast with Girls is the third studio album by American pop rock band Self, released on July 13, 1999, by DreamWorks Records and Spongebath Records. Its songs were mainly written and composed by Matt Mahaffey, the band's lead member. The album prominently maintains a power pop/art rock soundscape with elements of hip-hop and jazz.
Gizmodgery is the fourth studio album by American pop rock band Self, released on September 5, 2000, by Spongebath Records. Recorded entirely with toy instruments, its music was written and composed by lead member Matt Mahaffey, with the band's other members contributing to select songs. The album received positive reviews from critics, discussing its unique production and playful energy. Commercially, Gizmodgery sold 10,000 copies in its first week and debuted at number nine on CMJ's Alternative Radio Airplay chart. The album was distributed on vinyl through El Camino Media in 2015.
Self Goes Shopping is a remix album by alternative pop/rock band Self. The album features various previously released Self songs played electronically in often humorous styles.
Selfafornia is the second compilation album by American alternative rock band Self, released for free via Spongebath Records as an internet download on July 27, 2001. It includes songs scrapped from Gizmodgery (2000) along with other demos.
Porno, Mint & Grime is the third compilation album by American alternative rock band Self, released for free in 2005 and available in physical form in 2017. It features B-sides and demos recorded for the album Ornament and Crime (2017), an album that was delayed by 13 years.
Michael Darren Mahaffey was an American guitarist from Kingsport, Tennessee, and a founding member of the Alternative pop rock band Self prior to his death.
Break out the Battle Tapes is the only studio album by Wired All Wrong, a duo formed by Jeff Turzo of God Lives Underwater and Matt Mahaffey of Self. It was released on September 12, 2006, by Nitrus Records.
The Features is an American indie rock band from Sparta, Tennessee. The original lineup consisted of Matt Pelham, Roger Dabbs, and Don Sergio. The most recent iteration consists of Pelham, Dabbs, Rollum Haas, and Mark Bond. They have released five full-length albums and three EPs. The band has appeared twice as musical guests on Jimmy Kimmel Live!
Spongebath Records was an independent record label based in Murfreesboro, Tennessee during the mid-nineties. During its heyday, Spongebath was often viewed as the vibrant center of Murfreesboro/Nashville's music scene with a robust artist roster of critically acclaimed bands, singers, and songwriters.
Fluid Ounces were a piano-based, power pop band from Murfreesboro, Tennessee that garnered a cult following for their critically acclaimed records, which featured a distinctive blend of hooks, varied musical styles, clever wordplay, and intricate, complex arrangements.
The Katies are a three-piece power rock band originating in Murfreesboro, Tennessee, and currently residing in Nashville, Tennessee
"Cannon" is a song by American pop rock band Self, released on October 24, 1995. It was the band's debut single, distributed simultaneously with their album Subliminal Plastic Motives by Zoo Entertainment and Spongebath Records. It became an alternative rock radio hit, boosted by its Jesse Peretz-directed music video airing on MTV.
Super Fake Nice is the third EP by American pop rock band Self, released through El Camino Media on July 29, 2014. Originally announced as an album in 2007, it is the band's first studio release since Gizmodgery (2000), ending a 14-year break. The EP prominently maintains a soundscape consistent with the band. The singles "Looks and Money" and "Runaway" supported it, with the latter achieving mainstream success alongside its music video.
Ornament and Crime is the fifth studio album by American pop rock band Self, released on August 25, 2017, by El Camino Media. Originally finished in 2003, its release was delayed by the termination of DreamWorks Records.
Self is an American pop rock band formed in Murfreesboro, Tennessee. The band is led by Matt Mahaffey, and has been active since 1993. Chris James, Mac Burrus, Jason Rawlings, and Brian Rogers are additional members, while past members include Mike Mahaffey and Timm Nobles.
"Trunk Fulla Amps" is a song by American pop rock band Self, released on September 5, 2000, via Spongebath Records as the fifth track of their fourth studio album, Gizmodgery. The song is built around repetition, with variations referencing and emulating other musicians. In February 2001, it was marketed as the album's sole single and received a music video. Critics praised the song's humor, energy, and arrangements, highlighting it as a common fan favorite.
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