Bigger versions of the above and way more pieces are available at his site. I definitely recommend checking out more of his work. His prints seem to go pretty fast, so I recommend getting on the mailing list or checking in on his blog every so often.

Remember: Like this post or I’ll cut off NASA funding. Don’t think I won’t.

One of Joe Donatelli‘s friends on Facebook mentioned that someone should do a zombie version of Downton Abbey. Well, if you insist.

Click for the big version (and zoom in when you get to it).

The original.

A little bit about our heroes and zombies:

• This whole thing probably took 12 hours. I have no life.
• Clearly it’s the Lordship and his family that contract the virus and the staff that have to deal with the outbreak.
• Part of Downton Abbey caught on fire, hence the burnt daughter (who I guess would be Edith).
• If the zombies look familiar, they’re all Walking Dead zombies, except the Dowager, who I did by hand, because she’s my favorite.
• Isobel Crawley took a gun shot to the gut. Mostly because I wanted to see if I could photoshop a gun shot. Also, the zombie I used for her is clearly too young. The world goes on.
• Thomas has taken the completely selfish route, opting for the defensive flak jacket. Don’t let the grenades fool you—those are for defending his food stores.
• O’Brien has the chainsaw, of course. She will use it on humans or zombies, she doesn’t really care. I would have armed her with a bar of soap but, well, that’s not very fun, is it?
• The rest of the weapons go like this:
• Carson: silenced 9mm, shuriken.
• Mrs Hughes: shotgun, house keys.
• Mrs Patmore: broad sword, guilt trips.
• Daisy: nothing. Daisy is worthless.
• Gwen: too far back to photoshop. Sorry, Gwen.
• William: suit of armor, axe. Naturally William went for the suit of armor. He didn’t even know about the zombies yet, he was just sleeping in it.
• Mr Bates: .357 Magnum. Bates does NOT f around.
• Anna: kitchen knife. Which she will use on ANYONE or ANYTHING that gets between her and Mr Bates.

Ok, what do you think? Do we have any doubt that a zombie attack on the Abbey would result in Thomas and O’Brien killing everyone in their path on their way to the safe room? And then Thomas locking Mrs O’Brien out once they got there?

Leave comments and like/share or I swear to God I will turn this blog right around and head home.

We covered my favorite songs of 2011 in part one, so now it’s time to tackle a few other things and finish this year off.

Up first we have the “meh” category. These are albums from my favorite groups that didn’t quite make the grade. It isn’t that they’re bad, I just didn’t find myself going back to them.

Blink 182 – Neighborhoods
I was never the biggest Blink fan, but I did really like both Tom and Mark’s post-Blink projects (Angels and Airwaves and +44) so I had high hopes for their reunion. Alas, it was pretty blah. Instead of combining their strengths it seemed more like a compromise. Maybe Blink fans dug it though.

Justice – Audio, Video, Disco
Not sure how you follow up Cross (or † if you’re good with keyboard shortcuts) so I guess they had the deck stacked against them. I loved the video and first single, “Civilization” but the eventual album fell flat for me and I found myself barely listening to it. “On’n'On” is a really good track though, and  ”Ohio” is decent if you’re from Ohio, Tennessee, or California and like repetition.

Family Force 5 – III
I guess FF5 falls in the category of guilty pleasures for me. They’re kind of like rock’s answer to LMFAO. Dudes just want to have fun. This album never really does. There’s a couple of tracks that are enjoyable as good pop songs, but the party does not get started on III. Apparently there’s a second half on the way (III.V) but my expectations are in check. Still, “You Got It” and “Mamacita” are fun tracks (99% of you—roughly 4 people—will hate those two tracks).  Good live band and you have to appreciate that they went and bought a three wheeler and spray painted it gold (in their backyard—they are true white trash) for the album cover:

Cobra Starship – Night Shades
Another album that I didn’t think was horrible but I never really went back to. And probably also another band I’ll take shit for liking. Cobra Starship is turning into the band that everyone assumed they were and hated.    

The Sounds – Something to Die For
I love The Sounds, and this album isn’t bad at all, it just doesn’t really go anywhere. It lacks the hooks and energy of previous outings. And I still think Maja Ivarsson is a badass.  I’ll definitely come back to this album some day to try it out again. Maybe future Not Zombies will dig it.

Next up are albums that flat-out left me cold. Victims of expectation, I guess you could say. Here are the biggest disappointments of the year:

Gorillaz – The Fall
Here’s the weird thing about The Gorillaz: I don’t think I love any album in its entirety. BUT, Jamie Hewlett is one of my favorite illustrators and there are usually 3-5 tracks on an album that I LOVE. I was sold the first time I saw the video for “Clint Eastwood” and I still have “On Melancholy Hill” and “El mañana” on my playlist and that’s why they’re one of my favorite bands.
When I heard this was kind of a side-project for Damon Albarn, made on his iPad while touring North America, I didn’t really care. I mean, if anyone could make a good album on an iPad it’s Damon Albarn, a dude that’ll learn a new instrument for one song. Yeah. Not so much here. It plays like a mediocre score to a boring movie. I’m not sure there are any standouts. And to make matters worse, it was rumored (I think no longer true) that this would be the last Gorillaz album. Yikes. They need to make one more with Del Tha Funkee Homosapien, amirite?

Yacht – Shangri-La
I never really liked Yacht, so why was I pumped for this album? Hint: the lead single was #14 on my “Best of 2011” list. I couldn’t get enough of “Dystopia” before this album came out. And then it came out and I listened and… ugh. Not good. Nothing like the lead single. It’s like a different, lamer band put out the CD. Oh well.

The Get Up Kids – There Are Rules
Love the Get Up Kids. They called it quits in 2005 only to get back together 3 years later. There Are Rules is their first full-length since reuniting so I was pretty pumped. It was less than stellar. Way, way less. I only like one song from it, “Shatter Your Lungs” which is not good enough. Oh well. I’ll always have the acoustic version of “I’ll Catch You“—every emo dude’s go-to love song.

The Strokes – Angles
Another album that birthed a favorite song of the year. Unfortunately the rest of the album was a bunch of stillborn redheads. Actually, that’s not true, “Macchu Picchu” has kind of an ’80s ska/rock vibe that I like. The rest: shit sandwich.    

Beastie Boys – Hot Sauce Committee Part Two
Sheer denial. That’s how I greeted this album. I’ll be honest, I’m not cool enough to love the super-grungy garage vibe of Ill Communication, but Hello Nasty is one of my favorite albums of all time, so I’m always game to see what The Boys are up to. The answer here: not much. The weird-ass plans for this album (there was supposed to be a part one, but it was scrapped when Yauch was diagnosed with cancer, but part two really is pretty much part one, but part one might still come out, or—man, what?) didn’t bode well, but reviews were pretty much positive, once again proving that I don’t know shit about music.

My least favorite artist of the year:

Drake
From his awful voice, to his annoying flow, to his stupid lyrics. Drake somehow managed to insert himself into every single hip hop album that came out in 2011. And his album just came out, so I’m going to have to listen to this poser in heavy rotation for another year. Get in your Acura and go back to Degrassi, Aubrey.

And last, but not least, the worst song of the year:

Foster the People – “Pumped up Kicks”
Here’s me: “Well this is catchy.” “This song’s good, I’m looking forward to their album.” “Hm. This song’s getting a little annoying.” “Yeah, I no longer really like this song, but I’ll just remove it from my playlist and that will be that.” “Oh hey, this song’s getting popular.” “REALLY popular.” “Jesus Christ this song is everywhere.” “WHY DO THEY KEEP PLAYING THIS SONG EVERYWHERE I GO?” “PLEASE GOD, MAKE THIS SONG STOP.” And then it makes a bunch of 2011 best-of lists. The song that had the shortest shelf-life of any song this year. I downloaded that song back in March and had to suffer through it all spring, all summer, all fall, and all winter. Please 2012, can we stop playing fucking Pumped Up Kicks?

And on that salty note, I am out. Please leave comments. When I post these and no one says anything it’s like I threw a Sweet 16 and no one came. At least tell me how killer the below Music 2011 image I made is. Or the awesome diptych post headers.

After a long weekend I’m back with the first half of my last 2011 wrap-up: Music. I dilly dallied on this one because I knew it would be tough. I’m much more up-to-date with music (mostly) but I listen to so damn much of it that I knew just figuring out what I listened to in 2011 would be a chore. As before, the contents of this list aren’t necessarily the music that came out in 2011, but the music I first heard and listened to in 2011. And as always, what follows is simply what I like, for whatever reason. Artistic merit or no.

25. Parachute – “Forever and Always”
I’m picking this song on narrative strength alone (not that I don’t really like the song otherwise). It’s so simple, and yet so devastating. I love the subtle lyrical variations on the chorus and how the song ends a capella.

24. Geographer – “Kites”
Falsetto male vocals over 8-bit chiptune with simplified percussion? Uh, get of my brain Geographer.

23. The Submarines – “Birds”
So sweet and airy. This was the perfect song for Spring.

22. Phantogram – “Mouthful of Diamonds”
This song is in no way new. And I’ve actually had it for well over a year but just never gave it a fair shake, or maybe it didn’t sit with me before. Not sure, but I love it now. And apparently so does every chick on Match.com. Sushi, travelling, and Phantogram. Every chick. Thanks, Noah. Tell your friend I think she’s super cute.

21. Kavinsky – “Wayfarer”
FACT: Listening to Kavinsky while you work will increase productivity 13-17%. FACT: Listening to “Wayfarer” will make you feel like you’re about to enter the Game Grid inside Tron. (If Kavinsky sounds familiar to you, it’s probably because his awesome jam “Nightcall” was featured prominently in Drive.)

20. Saves the Day – “O”
I tend to like one or two songs from any Saves the Day album, but Daybreak was a welcome surprise. A really solid album that sees Chris Conley maturing in both content and musicality. A standout track from a solid album (but what’s up with the 4-songs-in-1 opener?).

19. Matt and Kim – “Block After Block”
Confession: I can no longer listen to this song since Jason told me that the lead singer sounds like “Weird Al” Yankovic. But it spent almost all of 2011 on my playlist, surviving numerous cuts, so it earned a spot on the list. How can you say “no” to a song with equal parts chimes and dog barks?

18. Bad Meets Evil – “Lighters”
Despite the cloying Bruno Mars chorus (I guess Skylar Grey, Dido, Imogen Heap, etc were all busy?) I have to include this song for the strength of Eminem’s verse alone. It’s like verbal gymnastics. And again, chip tune beat. It’s also cool to hear Royce give props to Eminem. Oddly sweet, upbeat song.

17. Kevin Devine – “Carnival”
Pretty old song that I didn’t actually hear until early this year. It’s both haunting and catchy, which is an odd mix, and it has some great imagery (“see i tamed a lion once i stole his roar/ stripped his pride away but he found more/ so now he’s out to take what’s his and shove my future in my face/ and scare me back in my place”).

16. Deftones – “Sextape”
An ethereal, dreamy, slow-burn track about… uh, well sex, I suppose. But also possibly an acid trip or death. They’re kind of all the same thing when it comes to rock music.  

15. Panic! at the Disco – “Memories”
Look, I don’t like admitting that I like Panic! at the Disco, but I do. Once you’ve gotten over the teeny-bopper, Hot Topic bullshit, they lay down pretty competent pop songs. In fact, I had a hard time picking my favorite track from this album.

14. Yatch – “Dystopia”
I go back and forth on this song, but any time I listen for more than a few seconds I remember how much I like it. The yo-yoing synth and crisp, repeated lyrics are practically hypnotizing. Unfortunately the rest of the album was a mess.

13. Matt Skiba – “I Can’t Believe You”
The Alkaline Trio front man puts out a very electronic, very serene F You track. Tune in for the  delightfully autotuned vocals but stay for the lyrics. “Felt you in my bones/ You spread like a fracture” might be going in my Lyrics Hall of Fame.

12. Mae – “Sleep Well”
I wasn’t crazy about Mae’s final EP, but I’ll be listening to this song for a long, long time. It is beautiful. The perfect lullaby. It made the jump to my highly selective “Sleepy Time Playlist” where only the most beautiful, relaxing songs may live.

11. The Strokes – “Cover of Darkness”
I recently had TWO friends say in a conversation that they hated guitar solos. I could just sit and stare in disbelief, like shit had literally just dribbled out of their mouths. Still don’t understand. I wish the solo in this song was about 15 minutes longer than it’s overly brief 30 seconds. This song is every member of The Strokes doing what they do best. The album that followed? Notsomuch.

10. Holy Ghost – “Do It Again”
This song has white-boy swagger like no one’s business. At one point you almost think he’s going to say “with top down, screamin’ out, money ain’t a thang” and I’m not so sure the lyric in this song isn’t an homage to that. This song literally could have dropped in 1989 and I love that.

9. Patrick Stump – “Spotlight (Oh Nostalgia)”
Patrick Stump put out two versions of this song on YouTube and let his fans vote for which would go on the album. The other went on an EP (this one, coincidentally). Pretty cool. Stump is insanely talented, and I might lose cred for including him on this list, but F it. Check out his one-man-band live version of Spotlight. Good artist. Good pop album. Awesome voice.

8. Madeon – “Pop Culture”
Hey 17 year-old French kid, can you please put out an insanely catchy mash-up of every song I like? Thanks. Seriously, how can a 17 year-old have an ear for samples like this? I don’t care what you think about DJs and mash-up artists, this kid is legit. You can even watch him pound out all his samples in real-time. How bad-ass is Madeon? He’ll be at Coachella this year.

7. Breathe Carolina – “Black Out”
The first time you hear this song you wonder if it’s OK to like it. “Is this too poppy? Is this for 12 year olds?” The answers are yes and yes. Then you’ll listen again. And again. And again. This song is dance awesomeness and produced to the nines. Every solid night of drinking should start with this song. Just do yourself a favor and never, ever, ever look at the band. I have warned you.

6. The Limousines – “Very Busy People”
The rightful heirs to the MGMT Hipster throne, The Limousines are probably even better songwriters and as a bonus you don’t have to listen to their songs 50 times a night in every single bar in LA. Another entry for my Lyrics Hall of Fame: “I’ve got an iPod like a pirate ship/ I’ll sail the seas with 50,000 songs I’ve never heard.” And crazy bonus points for the Donnie Darko reference. Nice work guys.

5. M83 – “Midnight City”
You knew it was going to be on here. I guess 2011 was the year when everyone found out about M83. About damn time. From the squeaky synth opening to the vague “night life” lyrics, I’ve been all over this song since the day it leaked. Like any good hipster, I’m a little perturbed to see my baby hit the limelight, but I’m a good sport, and it’s good to see such an awesome, alternative song get the recognition it deserves.

4. Kids of 88 – “Just a Little Bit”
If you’ve yet to pick up on my love of heavy electronic dance pop, then you need to get your ears checked. I don’t know how two 20 year-olds making music in a bedroom in New Zealand can be this savvy, this confident, this… good, but it’s all right there in one of my favorite tracks of the year.

3. Studio Killers – “Ode to the Bouncer”
Entertainment Weekly has this little sidebar they do from time-to-time: if you like X, you’ll like Y. One week they said “If you like The Gorillaz, check out the Studio Killers’ ‘Ode to the Bouncer.’” I ripped out the page and got downloading. Subscription to EW renewed for life. Talk about an earworm. I think I listened to this song 10 times in a row and had it in my head for the next month. Did the world need another fake cartoon band after The Gorillaz? Apparently, yes. Their other track is almost as good.

2. fun. – “We Are Young ft. Janelle Monáe”
The pounding drums, the droning synth, the sing-a-long chorus. Holy Hell, even Glee can’t ruin this song for me. This song is so awesome that even the addition of Janelle Monáe can’t really kick it up a notch (but I’m glad they tried). Nate Ruess does the only thing he knows how to do and sings his balls off. The opening to that second verse (“Now I know that I’m not/ All that you got”)? Perfection.

1. Martin Solveig – “Hello”
Awesome long form video? Check. Female pop vocals? Check (courtesy of Dragonette). French club-banger? Check. Check. Check. This is just one stand-out track from an album full of great songs. Solveig more than capably makes the jump from DJ to artist, and the result is an unusually poppy dance take on the standard techno release you see from most DJs. When this track hits the air, even I have to hit the dance floor. And there are sequels to the awesome video.

Comments are open. Feel free to tell me what a hipster/genius/dumbass I am.

Part 2 coming soon! The crap!  

 

And here are my awesome takes on it (don’t be jeals of my mad Photoshop skillz):

Want to make your own? Use this: