Welcome to College. Welcome to Break-Up Season.
You're suddenly in a different environment, surrounded by fourteen hundred of your peers and drinking heavily. This is when you say goodbye to that high-school sweetheart, the summer fling that won't make it through fall, and the relationship from last year that "just didn't work out." Maybe it was messy or maybe you both will be friends forever. And odds are that while your libido and liver might be ready - your heart is not.
My advice is to sit down with something that will never leave you. Your music collection can bring you through anything.
Brand New - Your Favorite Weapon
With songs like "Jude Law and a Semester Abroad" (I hope the next boy that you kiss has something terribly contagious on his lips), "Mix Tape" (But when I say let's keep in touch, I really mean I wish that you'd grow up.), and "Magazines" (I'm begging you, oh baby, please stop breaking my heart because I got the feeling that you and I will never really get it on.) you immediately feel better that someone is more bitter than you.
In fact, too much Brand New and you may never love again.
Fall Out Boy - Take This to Your Grave
I have yet to hear a more perfect album about breaking up than "Take This..." except perhaps their follow-up record "From Under Cork Tree." Take it from their lead singer, Pete Wentz, who wrote the first album after learning that his girlfriend had cheated on him with two of his friends in the same weekend.
Even if the same thing happened to you, this band makes burning bridges seem so cool - check out "Tell That Mick That He Just Made My List of Things To Do Today" (Let's play this game called "When you catch fire," I wouldn't piss to put you out.) and "Grand Theft Autumn" (You were the last good thing about this part of town.)
All American Rejects - Self Titled
Forget their latest CD - go back to the first one that put them on the map. Everyone idealizes the single "Swing Swing" to capture the relationship rebounding philosophy, but don't ignore the fact that the entire CD is full of songs like it.
For a more positive approach to dealing, check out "The Last Song" (You wanted the best, it wasn't me.), "Why Worry" (I whisper, remember what she did, don't miss her.), and "Drive Away" (All the heartbreak, all the pain, all the words you said in vain, and I'll never be the same)
Dashboard Confessional - The Places We Have Come to Fear The Most
Chris Carrabba will never write a song that doesn't deal with girl problems. His sophomore album is a reliable good cry with each down stroke on his acoustic guitar, pulling the corresponding heartstring.
My personal favorite, "Saints and Sailors" (This is where I say I've had enough, no one should ever feel the way I feel now.) can only be followed up by the title track (This is one time, that you can't fake it hard enough to please everyone, or anyone at all.)
The single "Screaming Infidelities" is the perfect song for finding out that there was someone else (I'm cuddling close to blankets and sheets, but you're not alone, and you're not discreet, make sure I know who's taking you home.)
Carrabba has turned his pain into our pain.
The Starting Line - Say It Like You Mean It
While their latest "Based on a True Story" is terrific, it doesn't hold the passionate balance of bitter regret that "Say It..." does.
The songs poetically document the fall of a relationship, as each track conveys exactly how one would feel.
This album never fails to match my mood in every situation I've been in with a girl.
"Hello Houston" is a perfect example (And everyday I compare your face, From sweet beginnings to your bitter end.) as is "A Goodnight's Sleep" (You can sleep in your own bed tonight, I hope for your sake you don't wake up as broken as I am.)
It's nice to know it's normal to feel this way. Use wisely.
Final words from the essential Emo Break-Up Movie:
Rob: "What came first, the music or the misery? People worry about kids playing with guns, or watching violent videos, that some sort of culture of violence will take them over.
"Nobody worries about kids listening to thousands, literally thousands of songs about heartbreak, rejection, pain, misery and loss.
"Did I listen to pop music because I was miserable? Or was I miserable because I listened to pop music?"
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