his most recent New Year’s Eve was a profoundly introspective event for me. It could have even been called a crisis of sorts. A quarter-life crisis, perhaps. All the heavy questions of the world were weighing upon me: Am I stuck? Am I living up to my full potential? Am I settling for less than I deserve? Do I even want to live in this city? Am I happy? You know…the usual heavy questions. After getting bent out of shape at the pathetic answers I was coming up with and contemplating throwing myself a pity party, I decided to quit taking myself so seriously and go get drunk while listening to some great live music. It helped. A lot. After returning home, I obsessively, compulsively dug up all the great live music happening around town so that my fellow compatriots (if there are any of you out there) could have easy access to the cure for the quarter-life blues.

First up we’ll mention all the anger management shows. They’re all a good bet for relieving tension and stress in a safe and socially acceptable manner; not like tripping an old lady in the street when she’s not looking. Necro is hard-core and so is Foufounes so check them both out on Jan. 9th to start feeling better. Ozzy Osbourne will also be available for a two hour scream therapy session on Jan. 14 at the Bell Centre. Yes, he’s still alive. It surprised me too.

After the anger is gone and dealt with, some smooth calming sounds will help along the healing process. The three keyboard/broad magic of Au Revoir Simone is a great bet on the 14th at La Tulipe. Michael Buble will be at the Bell Centre on Jan. 30 to croon your blues away as well. The illustrious Keren Ann is playing Cabaret Just Pour Rire on Feb. 8th and, as my enamored colleague would certainly suggest, Keren’s is music to live by.

Mika is always good for an Elmo emulating twitter.

Following all that reflective downtime, a bit of fun is on the therapeutic agenda. The rally cries of Cobra Starship at Studio St. Laurent on Jan.22 will get your spirits up. So will the Spice Girls reunion tour that hits town on Jan. 31 at the Bell Centre. Mika is always good for an Elmo emulating twitter (Jan. 28 @ Bell Centre). If his crazy antics and psychedelic tunes don’t turn your crank, The Teenagers cocky sense of humour might (Jan. 29 @ Studio St. Laurent). Failing them, Dan Deacon and his Napoleon Dynamite dance moves will be getting down at La Sala Rossa on Jan. 30. And if you’re still not satisfied, The Super Furry Animals are playing the Caberet Juste Pour Rire on Feb. 21st.

All in all, the list is long and of quality for the coming months so pick your cocktail and get better! I’m going to need to be at all of these shows to cure my bad mood. If you feel similar, seek me out. Maybe we can start a help group, like MTA (Music Therapists Anonymous) or something.–J.T.