23. Santa Cruz vs. Army Reserve vs. Last Solider

Post by **stip** » Sat February 19, 2022 1:08 am

Santa Cruz vs. Army Reserve vs. Last Solider

Post by **stip** » Sat February 19, 2022 1:28 am

Santa Cruz is garbage. Who voted for it? Explain yourself!

As I've said many times before, Army Reserve almost really works for me but doesn't quite get there. The abrasive production doesn't do the atmospheric music any good (wish it was on Binaural or Gigaton), and the chorus (which does have those nice background harmonies) feels like it is coming from another song (which it kind of is)

Last Soldier is a simple, unadorned, smooth and affecting little number that I've always really loved and wish they'd bring back

liebzz · Post by **liebzz** » Sat February 19, 2022 1:30 am

I didn’t vote for Santa Cruz but I could have. It’s a light toss away song that could have fit in Earthling - a light tune that Eddie doesn’t weigh down.

I voted for Last Soldier. It too is a song I wish they’d put somewhere good, like LD2. It deserves its moment in the sun, but don’t re-record it please.

Norah · Post by **Norah** » Sat February 19, 2022 1:31 am

Santa Cruz sucks. Last Soldier is fine for what it is. Army Reserve is pretty damned good.

Kevin Davis · Post by **Kevin Davis** » Sat February 19, 2022 1:33 am

"Army Reserve" should have been turned into a "Daughter"-esque extended improv in concert -- that ending just has such the perfect DNA for it. (Not the Pink Floyd, call-response tag, etc. improv stuff -- just drag that groove out into eternity, I mean.)

"Last Soldier" is a great little moment that works perfectly for the moment in time it existed. But I like "Army Reserve" more.

Norah · Post by **Norah** » Sat February 19, 2022 1:34 am

yeah what KD said

tragabigzanda · Post by **tragabigzanda** » Sat February 19, 2022 1:39 am

Army Reserve is one of their best songs period.

Jaeti · Post by **Jaeti** » Sat February 19, 2022 1:47 am

Army Reserve is a song whose title I dislike, and the song itself seems to leave something on the table, too. It's fine, and I've long looked for a way to really, really like it but just haven't gotten there. Still, it seems plainly most worthy of a vote here.

thesound · Post by **thesound** » Sat February 19, 2022 3:04 am

An easy vote for Army Reserve. Love the outro & agree it should be turned into an extended jam.

Post by **epilogue** » Sat February 19, 2022 3:08 am

Norris wrote:yeah what KD said

Anders · Post by **Anders** » Sat February 19, 2022 10:03 am

Love these three songs, three of my favorites.

coptheriotact · Post by **coptheriotact** » Sat February 19, 2022 11:34 am

I voted for Santa Cruz. I listened to that 7” heaps and I don’t really know why. It sounds awkward and loose like they just woke up. Last soldier is great and is probably a better track. I picked Santa Cruz because I’ve went out of my way to hear it more.

Army reserve is alright, the context of s/t doesnt help, I’m already annoyed having to hear wasted reprise and gone. maybe if it had a less structured arrangement and the jam at the end resolved properly i could like it more than a low effort Xmas song.

ABNorman · Post by **ABNorman** » Sat February 19, 2022 1:50 pm

Santa Cruz has never won, Last Soldier has a coupla round 2 appearances, and Army Resserve has made a single top 32.

Strat · Post by **Strat** » Sun February 20, 2022 12:25 am

I heard Santa Cruz just after Ed wrote it in Santa Cruz at my first ev solo show. Special number for me.

But army reserve is top shelf and embarrassing they don’t play it regularly

Red Mosquito