Gizmodgery

"These smash hits were recorded using toy instruments only!"-Gizmodgery tagline

Gizmodgery is the fifth studio album by sElf, released in 2000. The album was recorded entirely with toy instrument samples. The album contains a cover of the Doobie Brothers' song "What a Fool Believes". The song Trunk Fulla Amps appears twice, the second being a humorous edited version with the copious expletives censored.

The album art features a General Electric Show'N Tell

Production
Matt Mahaffey had supposedly been wanting to create an album of toy music for years. He utilized a large number of toy instruments for the purpose. The production is described as a challenging exercise through uncharted waters, while also being the "nth degree of doinking around". The band would also carry toy instruments with them and play them during live performances of Gizmodgery songs. Matt Mahaffey continued to use toys and samples collected for Gizmodgery in his other productions.

Cut Songs
Two songs from Breakfast with Girls, Suzie Q Sailaway & Uno Song, were originally set to appear on Gizmodgery. They were moved to Breakfast with Girls at the request of DreamWorks Records. The original toy version of Suzie Q Sailaway would later be released on Selfafornia as Suzie Q Sailaway (Toy Version)

Release
The album was released on the short-lived HDCD format and later re-released on Vinyl by El Camino Media. The Japanese import version contained the bonus track "Resurrect", and alternate artwork. Resurrect was also included on the Vinyl re-release and is almost always included in digital and streaming versions.

Marketing
Gizmodgery had a TV advertisement to promote the album, which was also aired during the Superbowl.

Reception
The 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."

The album is considered by fans as one of the best and most experimental sElf albums. Due to the novelty of being recorded entirely with toys, it also often reaches people outside the sElf community.

List of Toys Used
A large variety of toy instruments were used in the production of Gizmodgery, they are listed as follows.
 * Rock 'n' Roll Elmo (Specifically in "I Am a Little Explosion")
 * Little Tikes Xylophone
 * Mattel Disney Piano
 * V-Tech Phone Pal. 2000 Toy Phone
 * Toy Antenna Twist
 * Fun Rise Remote Control
 * Little Smart Tiny Touch Phone
 * 200 Toy Battery Operated Electronic Drum
 * Playschool Busy Guitar
 * Talking Whiz Kid Plus
 * Mattel See & Say
 * My First Football
 * Kids 2
 * Centipede
 * Evenflow "Ball&Sphere"
 * My 1st Years "Spinning Toy"
 * Maple Toys "Toy"
 * Schoenhut Toy Piano
 * Suzuki Omnichord OM-27
 * Suzuki Q-Chord
 * The 1 Man Jam
 * Hasbro Musi-link
 * Mattel Star Guitar
 * Yak-Bak
 * My 1st Shaver
 * Sysonic Drums
 * Micro Jammer Drums
 * Mini-Performer Keyboard
 * "Talk To Me" Robot
 * Hal Leonard Piano Fun
 * Party Bros. Tamborine
 * Assorted Talking Animals
 * Assorted Toy Drum Kits & Toy Cymbals
 * Assorted Generic Toy Cell Phones

Track Listing
All songs written by Matt Mahaffey except "What a Fool Believes" as it's a cover song. Total length: 45:33

Personnel & Production Credits

 * Matt Mahaffey - Enginner and Writer on most tracks, Performer on all tracks
 * Mike Mahaffey - Writer and Performer (tracks 5,7,12,13)
 * Chris James - Writer and Performer (tracks 5,7,12,13)
 * Jason Rawlings - Writer and Performer (tracks 5,6,7,12,13)
 * Mac Burrus - Writer and Performer (tracks 5,6,7,12,13)
 * Shawn McLean - Engineer (tracks 5,7,12,13)
 * Tom Baker - Mastering
 * Chris James - Mixing

Gallery
Gizmodgery:Gallery