The La's (album)

All of the songs on The La's were written by Lee Mavers between 1986 and 1987 and after signing to Go! Discs in 1987 and for the next three years, the La's worked with several producers to record their debut album, including John Porter, Gavin MacKillop, John Leckie, Bob Andrews, Jeremy Allom and Mike Hedges. The final sessions for the album were recorded December 1989 – February 1990 at Eden Studios in London with producers Steve Lillywhite and Mark Wallis. "There She Goes" is a remixed version of the original single recording produced by Bob Andrews in 1988. The La's first single song, Way Out, was re-recorded for the album.

According to the liner notes in the Deluxe edition from 2008, The La's did 12 different sessions between July 1987 and May 1990.

In July 1987, Matrix studio, London, John Porter produced "Doledrum", "Son Of A Gun", "Failure" and "Jams". "Doledrum" appears on the Deluxe Edition.

In August–September 1987, Townhouse studio, London, Gavin McKillop produced "Way Out", "Endless" and "Knock Me Down"In October 1987, Ezee Studios, London, Dave Allen produced Doledrum, still unreleased.

In October 1987, Fall out shelter, London, Andy MacDonald produced a remixed "Way out" single. Three Versions were mixed; "Way Out (New Version)", appeared on the 7" EP Version of "There She Goes" in November 1988. "Way Out (mix 2)" appears on the Deluxe Edition. The third version being an unreleased instrumental mix.

In March/April 1988, at Abbey Road, London/Jam recordings/Chipping Norton, John Leckie produced "Doledrum", "Man I'm Only Human", "There She Goes", "Feelin'", "Come In Come Out". A slightly edited/remixed Version of "Feelin'" appeared as the alternate Version on the b-side of the "Feelin'" single in February 1991. "There She Goes" and "Man I'm Only Human" appear on the Deluxe Edition.

In July/September 1988, Woodcray Studios, Workingham/Red Bus, London (mixing), Bob Andrews produced 14 tracks incl the original single version of "There She Goes" and the b-sides; "Come In Come Out", "Who Knows" and "Man I'm Only Human". "Feelin'" and "Clean Prophet" appear on the Deluxe Edition.

In December 1988/January 1989 at Attic Studios, Liverpool, The La's produced an aborted session.

In January 1989, Pink Museum, Liverpool, Mike Haas, Andy MacDonald and Hambi produced "Timeless Melody" and "Clean Prophet", still unreleased.

In February/April 1989, Pink Museum, Liverpool, The La's and Jeremy Allom produced 8 tracks. Only "All By Myself" appears on the b-side to the reissue of "There She Goes" in October 1990. "I Can't Sleep" appears on the Deluxe Edition.

In April/June 1989, Mobile Studio, Devon, Mike Hedges produced 14 tracks. "I.O.U." appears as an alternate Version on the b-side of the "Feelin'" single in February 1991. 13 tracks appears on the Deluxe edition as "Mike Hedges versions", with "Freedom Song" released on the 4-disc "Callin' All" box set.

December 1989, February 1990, April 1990 at Eden Studios, London, Steve Lillywhite produced 15 tracks. In May 1990, Townhouse studio, London, Steve Lillywhite produced 6 tracks in a mixing session for the album.

The album released is largely from the Steve Lillywhite sessions, although some backing vocals appear to be from the Hedges sessions, something Lee Mavers complained about on Rapido TV.

Professional ratings

Review scores
Source	Rating
AllMusic	[2]
Chicago Tribune	[3]
Encyclopedia of Popular Music	[4]
Entertainment Weekly	A+[5]
NME	9/10[6]
Q	[7]
The Rolling Stone Album Guide	[8]
Select	4/5[9]
Uncut	[10]
The Village Voice	A−[11]

The album was released in 1990 on Go! Discs in the United Kingdom and in 1991 on London Records in the United States. The album was praised by critics and embraced by fans. It was the result of nearly three years in the studio with a string of acclaimed producers. Each attempted to capture the sound sought by Lee Mavers, the lead singer and principal songwriter of the band. Unfortunately, due to Mavers' exacting expectations, the sound eluded each of the producers, and the album eventually released was immediately disowned by the band.[12]

A new version of the album, recorded by Mike Hedges (who has also worked with U2, Manic Street Preachers and the Cure) was found on a cassette, this new version was digitally remastered and released for the first time as part of The La's: Deluxe Edition. This edition also includes previously unreleased archive recordings and radio sessions by the band, as well as deluxe packaging and expanded sleevenotes. The GLR session is a mono reproduction of the right channel only from the original stereo broadcast.

In 2016, Rolling Stone ranked the album at 13 on its list of "40 Greatest One-Album Wonders".[13] The album was included in the book 1001 Albums You Must Hear Before You Die.[14] Noel Gallagher of Oasis named this as one of his 13 favourite albums.[15] In 2013, NME ranked it at number 153 in its list of the 500 Greatest Albums of All Time.[16]

All tracks are written by Lee Mavers (except where stated).

Bonus tracks

The La's – Deluxe Edition (2008)

Disc 1 tracks 1–12 per original release

• The La's at AllMusic
• The La's at Discogs (list of releases)
• The La's at YouTube (streamed copy where licensed)