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 is the lovely young English rose, Kate Nash, who will gladly rip out your heart, blow it up a few sizes and then gently replace it, leaving you feeling like the grinch after Cindy-loo-hoo got to him Christmas morning (Bowery Ballroom, Jan. 9). A good start to the healing process, don’t you think? Then you can mosey on over to the Hammerstein Ballroom for some violence and profanity with the Wu Tang Clan on Jan. 12 to dirty yourself up a bit. If the wound heals too fast, it’s sure to tear again. Terminal 5 is hosting The Mars Volta on Jan. 14, so take the opportunity to head bang, thrash and let it all out. Scream therapy has been proven to ease tension and stress. Here’s a free session. Then I suggest you chill out, relax to the cool sounds of Wyclef at the Nokia Theatre on Jan. 16th for a little down time. You could also chill out with the triple keyboard smooth that Au Revior Simone doles out of their three pretty little selves instead if that’s more your style.

I’m not sure how therapeutic Marilyn Manson’s concerts are these days, but he is always entertaining in that intellectual-freak- in-ladies-clothing kind of way.

Just in time to rally your spirits up again Cobra Starship is playing the Highline Ballroom on Jan. 18th. Check them out or see Boot Camp Clik at the Knitting Factory on the same date. The Super Furry Animals and Holy Fuck will make you smile at the Music Hall of Williamsburg on the 25th , as will The Teenagers on the 30th at the Mercury Room. I’m not sure how therapeutic Marilyn Manson’s concerts are these days, but he is always entertaining in that intellectual-freak- in-ladies-clothing kind of way. Manson’s music therapy is purely subjective so take it or leave it as you may (Hammerstein Ballroom, Jan. 29-30). If Manson isn’t really up your alley, another man in ladies clothing is coming to the Hammerstein Ballroom on Feb 1st. Oh Lenny Kravitz, you’re almost too pretty, aren’t you? Then there’s Mika at Terminal 5 on Feb. 2nd, Gallows at the Bowery Ballroom on the 9th and Magnetic Fields at the Town Hall on Feb. 21st, 22nd and 23rd.

I am 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. But whatever you do, do not go to the James Blunt concert on Feb. 29 at the Beacon Theatre. Blunt is the kryptonite to all music therapy. –J.T.