Jeffro’s “…Top 20 Albums of 2007” Part 5.

Thanks goes out to Sara Kass, who was the first vinyl-collecting, indie hipster to answer my 5am text regarding whether or not vinyl records do come with liner notes. That should be a clear indication of: 1) how dedicated I am to making comics, even forgoing sleep, and 2) that I don’t own any vinyl.

So there you have it, folks: my favorite albums of the year. Feist’s newest album — which is a little bit happier and more upbeat than “Let It Die” — is actually frighteningly addicting, especially if you accompany her music with Patrick Daughters’ superb video-making abilities.

Of Montreal consistently puts on interesting live shows, and “Hissing Fauna…” was definitely my favorite album of the summer.

Now I fell madly in love with The National after repeatedly listening to “Boxer,” and even though I didn’t think so highly of them at the time, it helped me reconnect with “Alligator” (which I feel is a less cohesive BUT nonetheless better album).

Lastly, I started listening to The Arcade Fire’s “Neon Bible” as soon as I started my last semester of college and felt it was at least on par with “Funeral.” Even though it was a close battle between The Arcade Fire and The National for the number one spot, watching the former in concert immediately after graduation stirred up old feelings and rekindled my love of the album.

And just to recap my Jeffro’s Top 20 Albums of 2007, especially if you’re too lazy to check the archives:
20) Vampire Weekend – Vampire Weekend
19) Justice – Cross
18) Band of Horses – Cease to Begin
17) Battles – Mirrored
16) Iron & Wine – The Shepherd’s Dog
15) St. Vincent – Marry Me
14) Ted Leo & The Pharmacists – Living with the Living
13) Radiohead – In Rainbows
12) Menomena – Friend and Foe
11) Stars – In Our Bedroom After The War
10) The New Pornographers – Challengers
09) Panda Bear – Person Pitch
08) LCD Soundsystem – Sound of Silver
07) Spoon – Ga Ga Ga Ga Ga
06) Kevin Drew – Spirit If…
05) Voxtrot – Voxtrot
04) Feist – The Reminder
03) Of Montreal – Hissing Fauna, Are You The Destroyer?
02) The National – Boxer
01) The Arcade Fire – Neon Bible

Jeffro’s “…Top 20 Albums of 2007” Part 4.

LCD Soundsystem’s “All My Friends” was definitely my anthem of 2007, particularly since it was my last year of college and I had to say farewell to a lot of good people. Likewise, I couldn’t stop listening to “New York, I Love You But You’re Bringing Me Down” while I visited NYC for the very first time.

Even though I hate writing and saying the name of Spoon’s latest album, I think “Ga Ga Ga Ga Ga” is a better record than “Gimme Fiction” — it’s just Spoon stripped down and doing whatever the hell they want since “Kill The Moonlight.”

Now I am the biggest, HUGEST, and possibly phattest Broken Social Scene fan, and even though it’s labeled as a solo album, it still sounds like Broken Social Scene. “Gang Bang Suicide,” for instance, reminds me of a male-version of “Anthems For A Seventeen Year-Old Girl.”

I first encountered Voxtrot in concert during a music festival, and I enjoyed both their music and energy. They just seem like a bunch of swell, down-to-earth fellows, and if I ever meet them in person, I’d love to buy them all a beer.

Jeffro’s “…Top 20 Albums of 2007” Part 3.

From here on, these are the albums I simply can’t stop listening to. I absolutely love Memomena’s track, “Rotten Hell,” especially when I’m pissed off.

The New Pornographers’ latest album is definitely a grower: at first I didn’t think too much of it, but after repeated listens to “Challengers,” “Failsafe,” and “Go Places,” I’ve come to the realization that this is perhaps my favorite New Pornographers album — it’s just a lot more mellow and mature than their previous work.

Recently, I’ve fallen in love with Panda Bear, and if I had listened to it when his album first came out, it would have most likely ended up in the top 5.

Suffice to say, I bought Stars’ newest CD when it first came out, and although it was originally going to be in the top 5, I had a change of heart. I mean, while compiling this Top 20 list, I thought long and hard as to which albums I included. Then, after much introspection, I had to decide which of these albums are: a) repeated listens, 2) have made a profound impact on me, and iii) are just fucking great, cohesive albums and rank them accordingly. None of that looking at Pitchfork or Tiny Mix Tapes to guide my choices… all of these are certifiably Phillip-approved (and one day I’ll patent that approval).

Sandwiches.

Part 4 of the “Occupational Hazards” Story Arc.

Being poor sucks, but what’s more blowful is having really over-protective parents. I remember back in high school, when I’d simply go out to Steak n’ Shake with my friends, my dad would warn me not “to do the ‘X'” (as in “ecstasy”) as he saw the dangers of teen drug abuse on 20/20. Furthermore, back in my younger, fashion-forward college freshman days, I’d wear a sweat-wristband, in which my dad warned, “kids wear those things to say, ‘Hey, I’m available for sex’!” Or so says Barbara Walters.

Occupational Hazards.

Part 1 of the “Occupational Hazards” Story Arc.

Yes, I am going to draw comics full-time again now that I no longer have to worry about school (although finding a real, professional job may take some importance — but not really). As such, this entire storyline revolves around the search, the discovery, and the trials of working. The arc will tie up some loose ends from other arcs, create new plot threads, bring back some old characters, and introduce new ones. I have a lot in store for this comic, so be prepared… or afraid…. well, whatever emotion comes naturally to you.

And Happy Birthday to TWLSB Friend, Tom and fellow cartoonist, Marty. May old age bring wisdom and happiness to your remaining years.

Wear a Coat, Goddammit!

Alright, alright — I’m back in the game for real this time; I already have a few comics inked and uploaded to the server. So what’s the inspiration? Well, for one thing, my friend Tim Eggerding has been EGG-ERDINGING me on to get off my ass and draw some. Also, friend and fellow DI cartoonist, Joe Martin, is planning to make a comic comeback, and like a comic vampire I am revitalized by the art and skills of others.

So yes, in regards to today’s comic, college girls like to go out to bars wearing nothing. Sexy as it may initially appear, watching naive freshmen and sorority girls get pneumonia is kinda funny.

Christmas Cards 2006!

No, I’m not dead. I’m like the Jesus; I always come back.

Teaser.

Ah, but it’s definitely not the end! April Fools… in May!

This is simply a teaser of things to come, and I feel by revealing Caitlin as Lizzy’s roommate will only brew trouble for everyone. As you can see, not only does she lie to Lizzy, but Caitlin also set her up with Duder! It’s fun to make a character so deliciously evil.

What are Caitlin’s intentions and is everyone who comes in contact with her an unwilling pawn in her diabolical game of backgammon?

Every Kiss Begins with *Yurk*!

Let’s ruin a beautiful moment.

Call it karma for Chris setting Lizzy on fire in the “Frat Party” storyline. And honestly, if this ever happened to you, do tell!

Oh yes… help get Sausage-Fest.com more traffic: the good people at College Humor have a link-swap program; the more people click this link, the higher the possibility new visitors will come to this page. Click! Click! Clique!

Resolve.

We’re winding down on the storyline here but more than complicating Chris and Lizzy’s relationship. Heh, who knew I could get serious on this comic?

I’m starting to make Sausage-Fest.com promos, by the way:

And the show’s tomorrow!