Alright, alright, I know. It's a little late for best of 2007 lists, right? Well, I've been meaning to post this for a few days, so darn it, I'm gonna do it! These are the best albums I've listened to in the past year. Feel free to disagree or post your own faves from 2007. Would love to know what everyone's listening to...

1 Modest Mouse We Were Dead Before the Ship Even Sank
Perhaps the greatest American rock band around, the indie act has released what is probably their most accessible album to date. Having been a fan of theirs for some time, I can appreciate the fine-tuning that has been done to the sound on this album after the somewhat disappointing Good News for People Who Like Bad News. An absolutely fantastic album and the track "Parting of the Sensory" gets my vote for best song of 2007.

2 Beirut The Flying Club Cup
Best band I had never heard of before 2007. Beirut's music is haunting, beautiful, melancholy, and joyous all at the same time. The old world style of music is certainly a throwback to more classic fare, but it feels so fresh in today's era of bubblegum pop and dime store rock. The music makes me nostalgic for places I've never been. Probably not for everyone, but for those who venture into Beirut's world, you are certain to find one of the most satisfying adventures in music.

3 Tegan and Sara The Con
Now these are some talented ladies. Mixing toe-tapping, infectious music with beautiful, harmonized vocals, Tegan and Sara made me instantly fall in love with them. The lyrics are filled with sincerity, longing, and an authenticity that is sorely lacking from a lot of current music. Some would point out that it is probably a little uncharacteristically pop for my usual tastes, but there is just something about these two sisters that makes me unable to turn off their cd.

Best Albums of 2007 that I wasn't allowed to vote for:
Okay, this may be a cheap plug, but these are two fantastic albums released this year on which I did the designs. Both are excellent examples of the strong unsigned bands from the Atlanta area. Please give both these albums a listen!

Groove Stain Groove Stain

The Bastard Suns/No Fuego Dropping Expectations

Best Album of 2007 that wasn't released in 2007:

mc chris Dungeon Master of Ceremonies
Probably my favorite live show, mc chris continues his legacy as the greatest nerd rapper on earth with this awesome album. While actually released in late 2006, it hardly ever left my album rotation in 2007. Funny, infectious, and nerd-core to the tenth power, Dungeon Master of Ceremonies will hopefully get even more people on this very talented rapper's bandwagon.

Finally, the big-ass monkey named "the new Groove Stain album" is off my back. The artwork is completely finished and we dropped off the files at DiscMakers (nice guys) to get the replication under way. The album is fantastic and it's definitely the best GS effort to date. I don't know if it is the definitive GS album only because these guys will be around forever.

I think a lot of bands give themselves a time frame like "if we're not a commercial success in five years, we're done." Not Groove Stain. Nine years in the making so far with no end in sight. The lack of commercial success isn't that bothersome. We've been toiling in obscurity so long, it has become our nature. "The best band you've never heard of." I don't know of another band more worthy of the title. I'm glad I was there on day one and that I'm still here.

That being said, if people can't find the love for GS and this album, they're fucking crazy. This is their most concentrated effort yet and, if I may be allowed the hubris, this is my best cd design ever. It kept me up LATE most nights (even though I'm juggling two jobs plus my freelance stuff) and meant that I wasn't eating lunch some days. It's been a long process, the cause of much stress, and even resulted in an ultimatum on my part. But it was all worth it. I am so proud of this project; it can be difficult to communicate just how much. The release date, March 31st, can't come soon enough.

Also, anyone reading this that isn't going to be at the cd release party, you will be on the receiving end of an ass-kicking. Count on it. Mark your calendar. March 31st: didn't attend Groove Stain cd release. April 1st: got ass whooped.

I love all of you and I want to thank everyone that has been supporting me. More importantly, I want to thank anyone who DIDN'T believe in me. You gave me drive to be better. You know who you are and you know what your ultimate comeuppance will be.

--TJ aka the dude

p.s. this blog needs a lot more updating

So this is it. My first one. They say you never forget your first. Does that include blogs? I just figured it was time to let everyone know what's going on in the dank cell I call a brain...

So I'm unemployed...while not bringing in any money, it does allow me plenty of time to wallow in self-pity and pretend that the famous people I see on TV are my friends. I mean, if they weren't really my friends, they wouldn't add me to their MySpace, right? Right? In three years, at my high school reunion (which I am dreading like growing a pus-filled welt on the tip of my penis), I'll be able to say: "Me and Zach Braff are so tight. I'm one of his best 108,753 friends. (hold up crossed fingers) Like this, son."

Life is weird right now...I'm trying to figure out what direction to go in when I'm at a crossroads with a dozen different paths. I'm designing t-shirts that may be good, they might suck, I'm not sure. I'm trying to find a graphics job around in Atlanta to little success and I'm not even sure that I want another office job working for another dick that sees me as a way to line his own pockets. I'm thinking of getting into acting...it seems like something I could definitely do. I can easily make an ass of myself in front of a complete stranger. That has to count for something, doesn't it?

I also have an idea for a screenplay for a comedy that I want to write. It's about a loser and his best friend who try to make it good by entering the World Series of Poker. Hijinx ensue. When I get scenes typed up, maybe I'll post them in this blog. then everyone can tell me how much it sucks which will in turn re-affirm my faith that some duche (sp?) in Hollywood will snap it up. If anyone has any funny jokes or ideas for scenes, e-mail me and I will be happy to steal them.

I guess that's about it for now. This was kind of therapeutic. I don't feel like too much of a whore. And I think I'll call myself in the morning, y'know...to let me know I respect myself. I'll be waiting by the phone for my call. I'll call, won't I? I wasn't just a one-night stand, was I?

I think I love me.