Good Point

On the BART to San Francisco:
A 4 year old boy is sitting on his mother's lap with two different sized t-rex toys.
Mother: No, Martin Luther King didn't actually live on that street [MLK BLVD]
Boy: Ohhhh

Track Take: Mood Music

Sometimes it is really hard to make yourself want to socialize with others, especially if you feel no sort of connection with them anymore. This is what I would like to call the "Middle School Syndrome". If you or a loved one has experienced feelings of resentment, loneliness, regret, sadness, hatred of friends, desperate for attention, identity crisis, and last but not least, an extraordinary amount of wetness on your face caused by tears, you might also be suffering from this awful condition.

While there is no direct cure beyond graduating from the awful prison that is middle school, or just slowly letting time heal your pseudo-middle school wounds, there are some home remedies that can help dull the pain. I suggest listening to albums by bands that understand exactly how you are feeling. In these times of moping and anger, you don't want to hear a happy song about how everything is going to be alright, you want to know that someone has also gone through this. Unity in dealing with bad friends and self consciousness! Here are some albums and key tracks to help you get through your social blockage:

Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band-- The Beatles



Beyond being considered the greatest album of all time, this album is mentally and musically challenging enough to help you forget all of the shit that you have to deal with at the next party you attend, or surprise visit from a "friend". The most touching and relatable song on the album is "She's Leaving Home" which helps you understand that you can get up and leave whatever situation is hurting you.

Pet Sounds -- The Beach Boys



No one understands the problems that face a young person trying to sort through their life better than Brian Wilson. Partnered with beautiful harmonies and incredible musical leaps, Pet Sounds truly comforts its listeners with lyrics that really help you connect. The best example of this is "I Just Wasn't Made For These Times". While every line of this song is absolutely perfect for anyone who has been frustrated with their place in life, the real kicker comes from: "Where can I turn when my fair weather friends cop out? / What's it all about?". Please tell me that you can't think of something more suiting for helping you in your bad mood?

The Suburbs -- Arcade Fire



Winner of the 2011 Grammy for Best Album of the Year (still in shock about that one), the third studio release from the Arcade Fire perfectly embodies the issues and trials that growing up in a suburb with the same friends and heartaches puts onto you. Give the entire album a listen just as therapy in itself, because you know that Win Butler and Co. understand your problems and have been through them before; it is what allows them to write so perfectly about it. It was almost impossible for me to choose the stand out song for this entry of "track take", but the kiss off that "Rococo" is just seems perfect to me. We all know the "modern kids" that Win exposes.

Quadrophenia -- The Who



There is nothing better for feeling like your pain is not unique (in a good way) than the Who's more serious and secondary rock opera. Personally this album got me through the hellish years of my actual middle school, but the lessons and comfort continues to get me through to this day. Following the schizophrenic Jimmy on his quest to be considered cool and be appreciated (isn't that what we all secretly want anyways), Pete Townshend gives us song after song about adolescence and insecurities. We are all Jimmy at one point or another. "Cut My Hair" really speaks for itself as a unique anthem for confused and upset youth. I love it. Play it on repeat if necessary.

Middle School Syndrome continues to hit society every couple of years depending on the person. Feeling like the world is against you, but knowing at some point you will leave it all behind is part of growing up and continuing to change and grow as an individual. While it is terrible, you will get through it...just like the flu.