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‘Getting Away With It (All Messed Up)’ by James
Ok, so thisismyjam is closing. Sadface :( . It was my favourite social network, and the music I have found from like-minded people on this service was wonderful. As a software engineer, I understand completely the reasons for the closure, and I’ll like to thank the #thisismyjam crew and all my fellow music lover who have used this service… what you’ve started here, it lives on in the minds and emotions of us that used the service, and who knows how that will flower as time goes on. So for my parting shot, I’d like to pick one of the songs that has the most meaning in my life. And this is a beaut. James got me through alot, those really dark days after uni when one is trying to find ones way in life and find some sort of meaning. So this will be my last jam. So long, and thanks for all the fish.

‘Somewhere In My Heart’ by Aztec Camera
Today I am reminiscing on some of my favourite tracks of the 80’s. This one was a surprise for me at the time, it was my favourite song of that year, but I was never quite sure why I like it. Looking back on it, still sounds great, and I think I like it because it’s how I imagine a collaboration between ‘The The’ and 'David Bowie’, two of my favourite artists of the period, would sound.

‘Hobo Humpin’ Slobo Babe’ by Whale
Suddenly I just had to hear this song, one of my favourites of the 90’s, and thanks to the magic of youtube, it’s just a click away. :) It’s funny how some songs become a permanent part of your psyche. There I was lying in bed thinking of the fact that I will finish the service registry component of my new micro-service framework today at work, just lying there enjoying the elegance of the structure of the solution I put together last week, and this song is the one I want to enjoy that moment with. Apparently my code is a hobo humping slobo babe (whee!)… ;)

‘Endless Sleeper’ by The Raveonettes
[Warning: Disturbing Video]. A track from my new favourite band, been listening to their work for the past couple of weeks. I’m loving my new job, and loving getting lost in the coding again.

‘How Soon is Now’ by The Smiths
First day at the new job, and so far is it looking brilliant! Not only do I have great team mates, great tasks and great office space, the whole company is friendly and the vibe is awesome. I mean how can you not love a place that has Wii’s and PS4’s scattered around it’s various lounges along with pool tables, and an order to eat lunch and socialise instead of going back to your desk! So today, one of my special favourite songs is justified. :)

‘Go With The Flow’ by Queens of the Stone Age
I think its relatively rare that a true rock classic, something that really captures the elemental rawness of great minimalist hard rock gets such massive popularity, but it did in this case. This track is beyond perfect, the whole package, the song itself, the lyrics (great pathos), the stunning video, the works. Of course, as all QotS tracks, the album version is overproduced (I dont blame them for that, that’s the current market), but that just means the live version are absolutely breathtaking. What I like most about this track, is the aggressive and simple riff, thrashes on and almost sounds out of rhythm, like it’s racing itself to get to the end… but at the end it just stops, no ‘climax’, no last chord, no fade out, no deconstruction, it just stops. That’s what takes this song from an A+ to an utter masterpeice, it puts all the emphasis on that racing rhythm for the whole song. QotS really blow me away, and particularly in the songs of this era with Dave Grohl as the drummer.

‘Schizophrenia’ by Sonic Youth
An utterly superb live version of my favourite track from my favourite indie rock band, Sonic Youth. Played with the distortion turned down to you can see the prowess displayed in the construction of even this relatively early track.

‘Shake Your Blood’ by Probot
Really, I mean Grohl and Lemmy? Speaks for itself.

‘Nothing Matters Feat. Nneka’ by Tricky
Simply superb.

‘Sweet Disposition’ by The Temper Trap
I post this, one of my favourite songs, as a celebration, as a victory dance. Around six weeks ago I posted a song by ‘I Love You But…’ and stated that I was preparing my CV. Well I prepared it, sent it out, did the interviews, found I am still in demand, chose a fantastic new job for a fantastic new company, for a fantasic salary, and signed the contract today. I’m in the process of writing my resignation letter right now. And this beautiful song, sung by Dougy Mandagi, this song sounds like victory over darkness, victory over toxic power struggles, victory over pointless Kafka-esque work processes, over shambolic releases, and victory over lies lies endless lies and spin. However, even as I celebrate I worry for my other team members who also desperately need to leave. Here’s hoping you get the job of your dreams and can GTFO ASAP! (@ PG,AG SD, & LW)