For Gizmodgery, Self's fifth album, group mastermind Matt Mahaffey decided he wanted to shake things up. Always a forward-thinker, the Tennessee native recorded the album entirely with children's toy instruments. It might seem like a gimmicky concept, but Mahaffey's buoyant melodies lend themselves nicely to the uncoventional instrumentation.
Appearing late in the album, Self's cover of the Doobie Brothers' "What a Fool Believes" shoots through the speakers like a sugar rush to your head. Already an absolute gem of a tune, Mahaffey's Fisher Price makeover focuses on the pop-crusted melodies found in the original version's keyboard-heavy arrangement. Mahaffey clearly knows he's not a blue-eyed soul vocal wizard like the Doobies' Michael McDonald, choosing to keep true to his quirky singing style instead of trying to match the "I Keep Forgettin'" crooner.
Since stumbling upon it over a decade ago, Self's version of "What a Fool Believes" has found its way onto countless personal playlists and anyone I've ever played it for has also fallen in love with it. If Mahaffey ever made an all-yacht rock covers album, I'd be the first in line to get a copy.
