“One Last Time is the third single off Lazy Fifty’s upcoming EP ‘Neighbour of the Beast’ which is a collaboration between Adrian Athy and producer Greg Haver (Manic Street Preachers, Catatonia, The Feelers, Devilskin etc.). On the EP Adrian wrote all the songs, sang lead and backing vocals, played lead, rhythm, and bass guitar while Greg not only produced it but also provided drums and percussion. “One Last Time” is a love story, but also acknowledges the “generations that went away to war thinking it was going to be fun, but as it turned out it wasn’t”. Released in time for ANZAC Day (observed on April 25th each year, this is our National Day of Remembrance in Australia and New Zealand which commemorates all Australians and New Zealanders “who served and died in all wars, conflicts, and peacekeeping operations” and “the contribution and suffering of all those who have served” – in the same manner as Remembrance Day in the UK).

This is not nearly as immediate as songs normally coming from Adrian, with a slow and thoughtful introduction (including some slide guitar) which gradually leads into the track, with the words of the solider going off to war, “Wipe your tears away, don’t you be afraid”. The chorus is somewhat more upbeat but tempered by the emotion we have already heard in the verse, and while the song becomes quite chunky, the emotion stays throughout. Consequently, this is a song which does not work very well as a standalone, as it would have far more impact if it was heard as part of a larger piece of work, either in concert or as an EP, which is where this will next be heard. I fully understand why this was released for ANZAC Day, but in terms of a single this is not something I can imagine being played much on the radio. For fans of the band, and their excellent album ‘2021: A Lazy Odyssey’ then this will be of interest, but I am more intrigued in hearing this as part of the bigger picture.

Rating: 6/10

Links:
https://www.lazyfifty.com/