The Half-Baked Serenade is the second studio album by American rock band Self, released through Spongebath Records on March 5, 1997.

Background

Following the success of Self's debut album Subliminal Plastic Motives (1995), lead member Matt Mahaffey frequently received invitations to strip clubs from radio personalities and other music industry colleagues. 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. Using a Discman, he recorded the album solely in his living room. The Half-Baked Serenade was sold on CD for $7 USD, available exclusively through mail order. After release, "KiDdies" was marketed as the album's sole single in 1999, receiving radio play through KROQ-FM.

Reception

The Half-Baked Serenade received favorable reviews. Shan Fowler of Pitchfork gave the album a rating of 7.5/10, while Chuck Eddy of Spin gave it a rating of 7/10. The album peaked at number 70 on CMJ's Top 200 chart, and peaked at number 48 on their Top 75 Alternative Radio Airplay chart.

Track listing

Personnel

Credits adapted from the album's liner notes.