Lost Self album finally drops after 13-year delay: Is it worth the wait?

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Back in 1990, Murfreesboro, Tennessee was a humble little town. However, it evolved into a bustling hub of music, largely due to Matt Mahaffey and his band, Self, who dominated the pop-rock genre during their time.

In the new millennium, Self began his musical journey by establishing a record label, which later led to him being signed to DreamWorks Records. He graced the covers of Billboard and various other publications, and with each album, his fame grew. Notably, he was responsible for creating the first song on the Shrek soundtrack during this period.

But when they began work on their fifth studio album, progress seemed to stall. Deadlines were pushed back, DreamWorks got bought out, and approval for an already completed album was withdrawn. So, what happened along the way, and how did the final product turn out?

Plans started smoothly for Self

Looking back to 2003, Self was a hot topic with many hit movie tunes. The announcement came out for “Ornament & Crime” in August, inspired by an antique LA clothing store from long ago.

DreamWorks expedited the process of releasing an album by collaborating with Streetwise for the pre-release promotion of the song “Grow Up”. However, the album wasn’t fully completed yet, which left fans feeling let down when Mahaffey decided to delay its release until March 3rd in order to continue recording further.

The group shared some interesting behind-the-scenes clips to keep fans entertained while the project was in progress. However, production seemed to be going smoothly until DreamWorks’ collection of music and artists was sold to Geffen Records. Unfortunately, this led to the closure of the label.

Under the leadership of Geffen Records, the group wasn’t given the go-ahead that their album was valuable enough for distribution. The release of “Ornament & Crime” was ultimately shelved, but the label retained ownership, thus leaving the project in an uncertain state.

The album release was snaillike

Of course, it was the band’s enthusiasts who proposed their own strategy: illegally sharing the music. Shortly following the announcement, demo versions of the album started appearing on LiveJournal. However, Mahaffey requested that the fans exercise patience a while later.

Over time, the tracks gained the recognition they deserved, even featuring in a Chrysler Sebring advertisement alongside “The Pounding Truth.” Additionally, the band started self-distributing their downloadable content on their Myspace and YouTube platforms.

After years in the shadows, “Ornament & Crime” has emerged into the light, having been released on vinyl and CD by El Camino Media. Now, fans can enjoy this masterpiece without any guilt or legal concerns.

Was the album worth the wait?

In “Ornament & Crime,” Self appears to return to the easy-listening alt-rock style reminiscent of their debut album, “Subliminal Plastic Motives.” However, instead of maintaining the eccentric experimentation found in “Breakfast With Girls,” this new work leans towards a more traditional sound.

Among the tracks on the album, “How Can I Make You Happy?” or the “Mermaid” version, as it was leaked, happens to be my preferred one. This lively rock number offers a refreshing, unconventional take on Madonna’s iconic “Material Girl.

In some songs like the somber yet gentle “Can’t Go On” and the introspective “Grow Up”, Matt’s songwriting talents are evident. Yet, it seems his unconventional style has been toned down. Nevertheless, numbers such as “Pathetic Song” showcase a potent, lively vocal delivery that radiates energy.

Although Ornament & Crime may seem more like a recluse compared to previous works, it retains some of Self’s enchanting charisma and humor. For those interested in exploring it further, this work is now accessible through the publisher’s online store.

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2025-04-26 16:00