Favorite Albums of 2006

To mix things up at the end of the year, I've decided to post some of my favorite albums of 2006. Ranking music is always weird (and often pretentious), but this is my honest impression of the albums that wowed me the most this year.

Top Ten Picks:

1. Belle and Sebastian -- The Life Pursuit
2. Yo La Tengo -- I Am Not Afraid Of You And I Will Beat Your Ass
3. TV On The Radio -- Return to Cookie Mountain
4. Danielson -- Ships
5. Ghostface Killah -- Fishscale
6. Peter Bjorn and John -- Writer's Block
7. The Decemberists -- The Crane Wife
8. Figurines -- Skeleton
9. Neko Case -- Fox Confessor Brings the Flood
10. Tapes n' Tapes -- The Loon

Honorable mentions
(if ten would allow more)

I'm From Barcelona -- Let Me Introduce Myself
The Roots -- Game Theory
Outkast -- Idlewild
Jenny Lewis -- Rabbit Fur Coat
Love Is All -- Nine Times That Same Song
Camera Obscura -- Let's Get Out of This Country
Sonic Youth -- Rather Ripped

Feel free to leave your personal list of favorites in the comments section. I'd be interested to know what other folks are listening to.

Scary Christmas!

I snagged this gem of an ornament at a swap party.
Happy Holidays, everyone!

Flush or beware...

I doodled this guy in the laundromat. My sketchbook was propped on a vibrating washing machine, which was causing my line to wobble ever so slightly. And thus, this mischievous creature sprung forth. It sort of reminds me of one of those Scrubbing Bubbles if they formed an evil plot to take over the world. Starting with your toilet bowl, of course.

Cartoonists on Hergé and making comics

All Tintin and comics enthusiasts should run on over to an online supplement to P.O.V.'s documentary Tintin and I: On Cartooning. I watched the documentary on PBS over the summer, and while I was less than impressed with some bizarre treatments of Tintin art in the film, the story of Hergé's life and struggles was very interesting. I was even more surprised when I just happened upon the great set of artist interviews PBS has conviently assembled on their Special Features page for the film. The group of six includes Jessica Abel, Daniel Clowes, Phoebe Gloeckner, Jason Lutes, Seth, and Chris Ware. Lots to read, as the interviews are fairly in depth. They speak about the influence Hergé had on them and issues concerning comics as an artform.

Artwork © Hergé/Moulinsart.

Likes long stalks...

I just finished a set of spot illustrations for Vancouver Magazine. This one is about the true story of a criminal wanted for double murder who posted a profile on an internet dating site and was recognized by someone after he appeared on America's Most Wanted. Another loveable stupid criminal.