“And now I’m going to say something corny, thanks to you for being such an appreciative audience. Now here’s another song about killing yourself.” – Trent Reznor of Nine Inch Nails/HongKong

Angst is a word you pick up in Philo 101 in college. A catchall term you use for all the frustration you feel when you can’t score a date, when you’re broke and when you’re flunking your subjects. Now like all proper “angst-ridden” teenagers, you have to have a soundtrack to your pitiful, despicable existence. Back in my day you could listen to Linger by the Cranberries, Minsan by the Eraserheads, Silent all these Years by Tori Amos. I listened to all of them. And I also listened to Nine Inch Nails.

Nothing beat NIN when it comes to pained, angry songs. Perfect accompaniment to those rainy nights of doom and gloom.

College was a silly time. You think you had big-ass problems. But wait ’til you graduate sonny-boy, the real misery is yet to begin.

What’s your soundtrack when you wallow in misery?