top 10 break up records (at the moment)

Almost 10 years ago, I started compiling my ever-shifting rotation of break-up records. About five years ago, I had a solid list and until recently, I haven't really had any reason to dust off the collection. Since 1997, the list has changed some and angrier rap records have been excluded. But nonetheless, there are some serious records here that will hopefully help heal that broken heart. At the very least you can pick and choose some songs to make that vindictive mixtape for your former flame.

Top 10 Break Up Records (In No Particular Order):

1. Red House Painters, "Songs For a Blue Guitar"
Mark Kozelek is a lyrical genius. While RHP's earliest records are raw as fuck, it's the morose, confused feeling of 1996's "Songs For a Blue Guitar" that best reflect what it's like to start over in your late 20's.

2. Morrissey, "Viva Hate"
Moz speaks about adolescent heartbreak in such a way that his fanship goes across the board. I was digging this dude in the seventh grade and I'm still a fan.

3. Atmosphere, "Lucy Ford"
Emo-rap's prince dujour, Sean Daley aka Slug is not unlike the New Found Glory of hip-hop: Dude says what he needs to say and breaks the fuck out. That's why he's hip-hop's Warped Tour ambassador.

4. Group Home, "Livin' Proof"
Unlike Atmosphere, Brooklyn's Group Home doesn't rap about girls that broke their hearts. They rap about selling dope, beating up peoples' mothers and getting out of the ghetto, all of which is set to DJ Premier's impeccable beats. Sometimes, you need to get that anger out and Lil Dap and Malachai are some of the most thugged out dudes out there.

5. Jimmy Eat World, "Clarity"
This entered the list when I got super drunk one New Years Eve and, on the way to another party, pulled over to the side of the road, sat up on the hood of my car and started talking about the meaning of "A Sunday."

6. Brand New, "Entire Discography"
Most kids would probably only cite Brand New's "Your Favorite Weapon" (as well as the assorted B-Sides from that period) as their only songs that address heartbreak, but you can find some pretty seething lyrics in "Deja's" centerpiece, "The Boy Who Blocked His Own Shot" and "Not the Sun" and "Luca" from "The Devil and God Are Raging Inside Of Me."

7. Oscar Brown, Jr., "Movin' On"
Glossed over and often forgotten about, Oscar Brown, Jr. was telling dudes to man up during a time when Luther was getting his start and making men bitch made.

8. Roberta Flack, "Blue Lights In the Basement"
Ms. Flack has some memorable tunes, but album-wise, "Blue Lights" has the best overall aesthetic to sob to.

9. Taking Back Sunday, "Tell All Your Friends"
One of the newest entries, everything you need to know about this sweet album, you can find in an earlier post.

10. The Format, "Dog Problems"/Blink 182, "Dude Ranch"
I don't know what happened to Nate Ruess and Sam Means, the principal members of The Format, but damn, "Dog Problems" contains the worst of the worst feeling a guy can go through, yet every song is pretty peppy so all you can do is dance. It best encapsulates the actual process of getting over someone.

Blink's "Dude Ranch," however, with it's thematic element of growing up (no pun), is about holding on to your ideals and your loved ones, no matter who they fucked or whether or not they'll get you burritos.

There are some other albums here that usually see play on the rotation, namely Smoking Popes' "Destination: Failure" and Get Up Kids' "Something To Write Home About," but I didn't want to make it a Top 12, so be sure to keep those two very excellent records in mind. (and Mineral's "Endserenading" too)