Awesome toys I want.

Seriously people, get on it...

Luke Chueh Mecha sad Bear.  LTD 77

Cap'n Rot'nClaw by Craola  LTD 600

Keel Haul Kleg by Craola LTD 700

MADL X Andrew Bell Frozen Empire exclusive LTD 500

Luke Chueh Gloomybear GID LTD 150

Luke Chueh Gloomybear Black LTD 150

Actually...I should stop looking.  I just keep wanting more of them.  Its like crack I swear.  All toys here and in my xmas list and more.  20 inch kozik dunny?  seriously?  i dont care...I want.

The only End of the Year List that Matters

Mostly, because my opinion is infallible.  Muahaha. So here is my rundown of the year.  

Top 20 Albums of the Year.

Panic At The Disco-Pretty. Odd.

All of the comparisons of this album to the Beatles are completely founded.  It is still amazing that the oldest member of this band is (I think) 22.  The instruments are more complex but still accessible.  The biggest downfall of this album is that the lyrics were what suffered.  I guess trading Fight Club quotes for Beatles riffs is a pretty ok sacrifice.

Punchline-Just Say Yes

The band got off FBR and released their own album on their own terms.  And Its damn Good.  Having Jamie Woolford make a cameo makes it worthwhile on its own.  If you can track down their cover of "It's a Wonderful World", You know why the album belongs on the list.

Empires-Howl

Thats basically a perfect album title.  Its creepy yet still uplifting.  And if you don't get chills with Sean chanting "I will guide you in the night," then something is wrong with you.  I was nervous about the former "Academy is..." member Tom Conrad living up to his former band, but he does.  And the album is free.  No excuses.

Hit The Lights-Skip School Start Fights

Pop-Punk is still not dead.  Colin left, but you honestly don't care.  The songs are energetic and you always want to sing along.  And really, how can you fuck with what may be the best album title ever?  Now if only we could get them to go on tour with some decent bands...

N*E*R*D - Seeing Sounds

Kanye's album was good, but lets face it.  He probably got the idea from this album.  They dont hide how nerdy they are.  They love toys and art.  And they play all their own instruments.  When Kanye can rap AND play drums live like Pharrell, then maybe he can hold a candle to this album.

 

The Academy Is... - Fast Times At Barrington High

Miles ahead of "Santi."  Catch infectious pop tunes at it's best.  There really isn't anything epic about this album.  It's great for the summer and sing alongs.  Despite having cameos from dudes in Metro Station it's still solid.

Less Than Jake-GNV FLA

The album brought the band back to where they began.  You Have to respect them too.  Vinnie parted ways with the label he created despite it being a money maker.  They left the major label so they could have complete control over everything.  The record sounds like a fresh start, which is a good thing sometimes.

Gym Class Heroes - The Quilt

I doubt Travis will be able to top this experience.  He worked with fucking Daryl Hall (of Hall&Oates) which is the guys favorite band.  You know they were listening to more hip hop around making this album.  Hell, Busta even makes a cameo.  The songs are just as good as "As cruel as..." only more hip hop.  It explains how they got on the TI tour.

Have Heart - Songs to Scream at the Sun

This band reminds me so much of American Nightmare it's ridiculous.   Fast, loud, songs with a message.  It makes you want to fucking stagedive your living room couch.  Oh, and did I mention fast?  With 10 tracks it clocks in at a whopping 21 minutes.

Jack's Mannequin - The Glass Passenger

Dude knows how to write a pop song.  Honestly, Andrew was born to do this.  With tracks like "Crashin" and "bloodshot" you can feel a much more earnest intensity than the previous album.  It was worth getting pushed back 5 months if it sounds like this.

Hey Monday-Hold Tight

Cassadee Pope is fucking adorable.  But let's ignore my massive boy-crush on her for a second.  This album is fucking adorable.  You know they are up there every night bouncing around giving it their all.  They will be huge and they deserve to be.  It makes me feel 16 again, in a good way.  Not the awkward "girls arent yucky anymore" way.

Alkaline Trio - Agony and Irony

"Crimson" was good, but still a let down.  The band picks it back up with this.  Honestly, I think you can only truly appreciate it if you hear them play some of the songs live.  And seeing Skiba play a Misfits cover, it's pretty hard to top that.  The vinyl came with a Tegan&Sara cover.  Completely backed.

United Nations - S/T

Ok, so the entire lineup is unknown due to "contractual obligations."  But we do know Geoff Rickley and Daryl Palumbo are in it.  Good start.  They put out limited albums and vinyls because of the "offensive cover art" which is essentially...Abbey Road with all of the Beatles covered in flames.  Literacy theory references, subliminal messages, and "hidden tracks".  The band refers to themselves as "ultra Violent".Then, both Facebook AND myspace erase their fucking profiles.  This band is fucking EPIC.

Vampire Weekend - S/T

This one definitely took my ass by surprise.  I have avoided "indie" bands for so long that I had no idea bands were pumping out things like this.  Its quirky, fun, and takes alot of thought to boot. And the video for "A-Punk" is pretty great.

H2O - Nothing To Prove

The world waited too fucking long for a new H2O album.  And they came back full force.  These are the hardcore anthems "Go!" just didn't fucking have.  I honestly wouldn't be surprised if Toby Morse cries while listening to a 7 Seconds album.  The dude lives this shit, and there are alot of phone messages from other people on the record who feel the same way.

Rise Against - Appeal To Reason

This band doesn't back down.  You know how that feel about everything.  And they call out everyone in the middle of the fucking road. ("neutrality means that you don't really care because the struggle goes on even when you're not there").  Oh, and they blow up Chicago.  I shit you not.  They BLOW UP Chicago in the video for "Re-education Through labor."

The Gaslight Anthem - The '59 Sound

This is what Tom Petty and Springstein would sound like is they got their start at CBGB's.  They don't hide their influences.  Fallon is a hopeless romantic and I swear to god I have almost cried more than 1 time listening to this album.  Everyone needs to listen to this album.

Bloc Party - Intimacy

This is what a band sounds like when they truly experiment.  There is a song that is almost entirely xylaphone that reminds me of snowfall followed by songs with images of war.  The lyrics are intense and the atmosphere is incredible.  It is near perfect...except for those damn remixes.

EVERYONE, the top album of the year has come to a tie!

Death Cab For Cutie - Narrow Stairs

This album is fucking gut wrenching.  It's eerie, creepy, and there is no right way to listen to it.  It tears into your heart and pulls out every insecurity you might have.  Hell, even a few you might not know you have.  Undoubtably, the best thing the band has ever done.  Possibly one of the greatest albums ever.

Fall Out Boy - Folie a Deux

This album is epic.  Patrick's vocals are pitch perfect.  Brass, Strings, Elvis Costello and Blondie.  This is a true album of trying to pick yourself up, but still knowing there is nothing you can believe in.  Like DCFC, every insecurity you have comes out while listening to this.  The Reprise on "What a Catch, Donnie"  makes you smile when you think of how far the band has come.

So, hows that for an end of the year list.  Albums that may have made it had I listened in time...

Valencia, Butch Walker, Kings of Leon, Verse, Ceremony, The Cab, story of the year, the Draft, Chuck Ragan, Loved ones, modest mouse.  

Most anticipated for 09...

Thursday, A New Found Glory, Paramore, +44, Green Day, Brand New, Taking Back Sunday, All Time Low, AFI, four year strong, set your goals.

Movie...the only 3 worth mentioning were Dark Knight, Nick and Norahs infinite playlist,  and Wall*E.

Resolutions to myself....

1-Draw Every day

2-Buy a guitar

3-Best possible grades in school

4-cleaner apartment

5-learn photoshop

Im sure there is more to come.  but leave your feedback.

Merry Christmas, I Could Care Less.

Merry X-Mas everyone.  I ordered the traditional Xmas pizza and watched the traditional ELF.  Good times...

Anyway.  I have had such a discommunication with new music as of late I (unfairly) don't give many new bands a chance.  So I of course missed out on these guys.

Let's discuss my newfound crush on Cassadee.  Fucking adorable?  I think so.  Anyone who can make this happen, get on it.

I will be creating a new myspace page soon strictly dedicated to art so I can promote and things like that.  Anyone who would like to teach me how to burn images with photoshop gets a free lapdance or bag of swedish fish.

yesterday

I bought these

Mostly because tomorrow its supposed to be -35 degrees after windchill.  I will be frozen.

I also got my first xmas tree since i moved out on my own.  Decorating will happen.  It will be awesome.  

This is a pretty pointless post. 

The (un)famous Xmas List

Every year I make a christmas list no one ever really cares about. Why should this year be any different?!?! So here it is!

Luke Chueh Possessed Set

Screen Printing Kit

Antlers

Andrew Bell Reaper

Andrew Bell Zilks

Headphones

Call of Duty

Hurley Hoodie

Element Hoodie

Hurley Hoodie Part 2

Friends

Seinfeld

Then of course there are sox and long underpants and stuff.  Unfortunately, I will never get what I really want.

Still the new craze.

Fall Out Boy is one of those bands I have always backed. From the shitty days at the Empress of them giving me a free hoodie. Then the days at the Webster with Pete helping me get a photo pass when security was being lame. People talk constant shit on them, but I always back them. And Probably always will. Yesterday I received this.


Luke Chueh Cover art. Basically awesome.

They have moved past TTTYG musically. Personally, I will always love that album because of the memories attached to it. And honestly, Infinity on High was a bit disappointing. I was getting nervous when I heard "I Don't care" despite the video being friggen awesome. And it's not even a bad song.



(Seriously...Mark Hoppus giving a bitch slap. Beat that.)

Oddly enough, the two tracks I had heard about are the weakest ones. And both are still good. "America's suitehearts" and "I don't Care" cant do the album justice. There are anthems of lonliness and despair with shreds of hope. Epic string and brass sections. And along with the entire Decaydance roster going guest vocals, they also got Debbie Harry and fucking Elvis Costello. The entire band shines. Some songs are amazing for the drums. Or vocals. Or lyrics or guitar parts. Sometimes all at the same time. The album is bi polar. It goes from blues to straight rock to big band to borderline hip hop. I encourage EVERYONE to go purchase this album. And track down all the bonus tracks. I am up to 25. Tracks that stand out are...

Lullabye
Disloyal Order of Water Buffalos
(Coffee's for Closers)
What a Catch, Donnie
20 Dollar Noseblees
West Coast Smoker

I will be listening to this album for a long time to come.

-In other news. I am still terrible at math. I will be taking very basic math. Like ridiculous basic. But I did test out of english.

-I will post my xmas/birfday list soon. I won't get what I want, but toys are still cool.

-I ordered my first Xmas tree in like 4 years. I am super stoked on it and it is inspired by "its a wonderful life"

Expanding my Horizons

So within the last 2 years I have tried expanding my album collection to things I normally don't buy. Even things I didn't previously like. Radiohead was in that mix and holy hell are they awesome. Death Cab for Cutie nearly makes me cry for a most albums and I have been on a Bloc Party kick since Lollapalooza. I also started getting over alot of what I once liked. Maybe it's maturing, or maybe it's just giving something a second chance. Most things are worth the second chance.








Everything/one deserves a second chance

Thanks.

Please vote for me and send to friends.

This is for a scholorship.  please tell everyone.

And this sums it up

The Shape of Pop Culture to Come

You can always tell what kind of kids people used to be.  Just look at them now.  Their job.  Behaviors.  Even hobbies.  Chances are if he has a blue/white collar job then they went out for little league.  If those barbies kept all their hair and lived an awesome life in their dollho

use then you might be looking at your current housewife.  Then there are people like me who proudly displays all their toys like badges of honor and has sincerely thought of naming his first dog "Soundwave."

  

  I went on my usual trip to Bestbuy tonight after my college meeting.  Usually I dont have a plan.  Tonight, I rolled in to pick up The Dark Knight on DVD.  Being the nerd that I am, I looked for one of the ultra mega sets that includes bonus features and anything else.  The one I picked out came with a tiny replica of Batman's helmet.  I brought it up to the register and a girl looked at it in a very confused way.  

  "What do you do with this?" she asked me.

I honestly didn't have an answer.  Jokingly I shot back, "It's for my hamster.  I already made him a tiny cape."

  

But the more I thought about it, the more I REALLY thought about it.  Why the fuck do I spend hours on eBay looking up vintage Ninja Turtles or Transformers toys?  Why have I thought to myself, "I have an extra 200 dollars!  Lets see what I can pick up on Kidrobot..."

  Maybe it's because although I keep getting older and taking on new responsibilities, I refuse to fully grow up.  When you grow up, your heart dies.  You give in to what people around you think you should be doing.  Don't get me wrong, I am all about ACTING grown up.  I can pay my rent on time.  I can feed myself and maintain a job.  But the second I let someone else make my decisions for me or tell me I should get a real job is the same second the person I have become is dead.  Everything I have fought against is over and I become someone with a 9-5.  

  Anyone who knows me knows thats not what I want.  And they damn sure know I won't be listening to them anytime soon.  But the day I sell MY toys on eBay just to get rid of them is the day I may as well change my name.  I really have no idea where I will be in 5 years.  But I know know it will be on my terms.  I'm a kid of pop culture and hardcore bands.  It's what raised me.  Too late to turn back on it now.

What do you want to be when you grow up?

Everyone gets asked this question.  Usually in 2nd grade and usually the answer is always the same.  Fireman.  Police Officer. And more recently...Hannah Montana.  I was always a weird kid.  Whenever I was growing up I never actually had to explain what my picture was.  Granted...the heads on whatever I drew were always friggen HUUUUGE, but you still got the idea.  I said point blank at that age, "I want to be a cartoonist."

  Now, this has changed over the years.  Well, more my definition of the term.  I always imagined it more of a comic strip like Garfield or the amazing Calvin & Hob

bes (and oh yes, I do have this).

Later on I still wanted to be a cartoonist but more in the sense of an illustrator.  I started looking into artists that are so talented and thought provoking you cant help but hate it or love it.  

  

Every now and then I want to show some people whose work I one day aspire to be like, while creating my own niche.  Luke Chueh and Joe Ledbetter are two of them.  I start classes on Jan 12 to hopefully get paid to travel around the world and make awesome pictures.  Coolest job ever?  I think so!  Hopefully other people think my shit is good enough.  Once I have something worth posting of my own on here, I will.

Cliche for a reason

The best cliches are there for a reason.  The saddest songs have been played for years because they are the saddest.  They go beyond the idea of a cliche and become a symbol.  I have a broken heart and I finally understand what it means.  I have been dumped.  I have liked girls.  But for once, I know what it means to love someone so much it literally hurts your chest.  You loose sleep over them.  You can't eat because of them.  Every time you imagine your life, you see it with them.  I am trying to better my own life.  I am going to go to college soon after a long hiatus.  Mostly because maybe if I make my own life better, she could see her life with me as well.  Maybe she could see what I see.  And if she does, it will be perfect.  She is my best friend.  I love her.  And I always will.