The La's
When the La's released their debut album in 1990, it made immediate waves in the British pop scene, as well as American college radio. Drawing from the hook-laden, ringing guitars of mid-'60s British pop as well as the post-punk pop of the Smiths, the La's' self-titled first album had a timeless, classic feel. It seemed like effortless music, yet that was not the case. From their inception, lead singer/guitarist/songwriter Lee Mavers was a perfectionist with a nearly obsessive eye for detail. Consequently, the La's were never able to totally fulfill their promise. The band was formed by guitarist Mike Badger in 1983, who was joined by Mavers, who soon took over the songwriting. Badger left the group in 1986, by which time bassist John Power had joined the fold. Rounding out the early line up were guitarist Paul Hemmings, and drummer John Timson. On the strength of their demo tapes, Go! Discs signed the band in 1987, releasing the single "Way Out"; it received good reviews, yet it wasn't a chart success. Similarly, the following year's "There She Goes" received good press yet stalled on the charts. With a new lineup featuring bassist James Joyce, guitarist Cammy (born Peter James Camell), and Lee's brother Neil on drums, the La's began recording their debut album that same year. The record didn't appear until 1990. Even though Mavers claimed it was rush released, the Steve Lillywhite-produced The La's received glowing reviews and strong sales; a re-released "There She Goes" entered the U.K. Top 20 and hit number 49 in America. For most of 1991, the band was on tour. At the end of the year, they went back to the studio to record their follow-up. This time, Mavers was in complete control and he took his time to perfect the album, re-recording tracks and rewriting songs. The La's disappeared without a trace from the pop music scene. Mavers and a reconstituted band resurfaced in the spring of 1995, playing a handful of supporting concerts that featured a couple of new songs.© Stephen Thomas Erlewine /TiVo Read more
When the La's released their debut album in 1990, it made immediate waves in the British pop scene, as well as American college radio. Drawing from the hook-laden, ringing guitars of mid-'60s British pop as well as the post-punk pop of the Smiths, the La's' self-titled first album had a timeless, classic feel. It seemed like effortless music, yet that was not the case. From their inception, lead singer/guitarist/songwriter Lee Mavers was a perfectionist with a nearly obsessive eye for detail. Consequently, the La's were never able to totally fulfill their promise.
The band was formed by guitarist Mike Badger in 1983, who was joined by Mavers, who soon took over the songwriting. Badger left the group in 1986, by which time bassist John Power had joined the fold. Rounding out the early line up were guitarist Paul Hemmings, and drummer John Timson. On the strength of their demo tapes, Go! Discs signed the band in 1987, releasing the single "Way Out"; it received good reviews, yet it wasn't a chart success. Similarly, the following year's "There She Goes" received good press yet stalled on the charts. With a new lineup featuring bassist James Joyce, guitarist Cammy (born Peter James Camell), and Lee's brother Neil on drums, the La's began recording their debut album that same year. The record didn't appear until 1990. Even though Mavers claimed it was rush released, the Steve Lillywhite-produced The La's received glowing reviews and strong sales; a re-released "There She Goes" entered the U.K. Top 20 and hit number 49 in America. For most of 1991, the band was on tour. At the end of the year, they went back to the studio to record their follow-up. This time, Mavers was in complete control and he took his time to perfect the album, re-recording tracks and rewriting songs. The La's disappeared without a trace from the pop music scene. Mavers and a reconstituted band resurfaced in the spring of 1995, playing a handful of supporting concerts that featured a couple of new songs.
© Stephen Thomas Erlewine /TiVo
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The La's - BBC In Session
The La's
Rock - Released by UMC (Universal Music Catalogue) on Jan 1, 2006
It's quite possible that the La's showcased on BBC in Session is the closest to the ideal sound Lee Mavers had in mind when he sweated over the group' ...
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
The La's (Deluxe Edition)
The La's
Pop - Released by UMC (Universal Music Catalogue) on Nov 1, 1990
The Qobuz Ideal DiscographySome albums exist outside of time or place, gently floating on their own style and sensibility. Of those, the La's lone album may be the most beguilin ...
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
The La's
The La's
Rock - Released by Polydor Associated Labels on Oct 1, 1990
Some albums exist outside of time or place, gently floating on their own style and sensibility. Of those, the La's lone album may be the most beguilin ...
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Callin' All
The La's
Pop - Released by UMC (Universal Music Catalogue) on Jan 1, 2010
Designed as a clearinghouse of all unreleased La’s recordings, it goes without saying that the four-disc box Callin' All is something for the dedicate ...
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
The La's 1987
The La's
Alternative & Indie - Released by The Viper Label on Sep 22, 2017
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Callin' All (1986-1987)
The La's
Alternative & Indie - Released by The Viper Label on Oct 1, 2020
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Live & Dangerous (Live at the Picket 5/6/1987)
The La's
Alternative & Indie - Released by The Viper Label on Mar 16, 2020
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Breakloose (1985-1986)
The La's
Alternative & Indie - Released by The Viper Label on Oct 1, 2020
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
The La's (Rarities Edition)
The La's
Pop - Released by Polydor on Jan 1, 2010
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
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The La's LIVE! (1986-1987) (Live)
The La's
Alternative & Indie - Released by The Viper Label on Nov 5, 2021
24-Bit 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
De Freitas Session '87
The La's
Rock - Released by The Viper Label on Aug 2, 2010
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Lost La's 1986-1987 Callin' All
The La's
Alternative & Indie - Released by The Viper Label on Jul 2, 2001
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Lost La's 1984-1986 Breakloose
The La's
Alternative & Indie - Released by The Viper Label on Jan 1, 2000
Breakloose is a collection of songs from a time when Lee Mavers shared songwriting responsibilities with Mike Badger. Fans looking for any hints of th ...
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
1984-1986 Breakloose (Remastered with Bonus Tracks)
The La's
Alternative & Indie - Released by The Viper Label on Jan 1, 2000
Breakloose is a collection of songs from a time when Lee Mavers shared songwriting responsibilities with Mike Badger. Fans looking for any hints of th ...
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Lost La's 1986-1987 Callin' All (Remastered with Bonus Tracks)
The La's
Alternative & Indie - Released by The Viper Label on Jul 2, 2001
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo