The La's (album)

The La's is the only studio album by English rock band the La's, released on 1 October 1990 by Go! Discs. It included "There She Goes," the group's biggest hit, and "Timeless Melody". A deluxe edition of The La's was released on 7 April 2008. In 2013, NME ranked it at number 153 in its list of the 500 Greatest Albums of All Time.[1]

The La's
Studio album by The La's
Released	1 October 1990
Recorded	July–September 1988, December 1989 – February 1990
Studio	Woodcray Studios, Wokingham and Eden Studios, London
Genre	Alternative rock, jangle pop
Length	35:14
Label	Polydor Go! London (828,202)
Producer	Steve Lillywhite, Bob Andrews
The La's chronology
The La's (1990) Lost La's 1984–1986: Breakloose (1999)
Singles from The La's
"Way Out" Released: 2 November 1987 "There She Goes" Released: 31 October 1988 "Timeless Melody" Released: 3 September 1990 "There She Goes" Released: 22 October 1990 (re-issue) "Feelin'" Released: 4 February 1991

Writing and recording

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.

Release and reception

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.

Legacy

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]

Track listing

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

No.	Title	Length
1.	"Son of a Gun"	1:55
2.	"I Can't Sleep"	2:37
3.	"Timeless Melody"	3:01
4.	"Liberty Ship"	2:31
5.	"There She Goes"	2:42
6.	"Doledrum"	2:50
7.	"Feelin'"	1:45
8.	"Way Out"	2:32
9.	"I.O.U."	2:13
10.	"Freedom Song"	2:23
11.	"Failure"	2:54
12.	"Looking Glass"	7:51
Total length:		35:14

Bonus tracks

Japan bonus tracks (1998)

No.	Title	Length
13.	"Knock Me Down"	3:17
14.	"Endless"	3:11
15.	"Come in Come Out"	2:14
16.	"Who Knows"	3:31
17.	"Man I'm Only Human"	4:34
18.	"All by Myself"	5:56
19.	"Clean Prophet"	1:49
20.	"There She Goes" (original single version)	2:35

UK remastered edition bonus tracks (2001)

No.	Title	Length
13.	"All by Myself"	5:53
14.	"Clean Prophet"	1:47
15.	"Knock Me Down"	3:15
16.	"Over" (live in a stable in Liverpool, Lee Mavers/John Power)	5:02
17.	"I.O.U." (alternative version)	2:08

The La's – Deluxe Edition (2008)

Disc 1 tracks 1–12 per original release

Disc 1: Bonus material

No.	Title	Length
13.	"Son of a Gun" (Gary Crowley, GLR Session Dec '88)	1:55
14.	"Doledrum" (Gary Crowley, GLR Session Dec '88)	3:00
15.	"I Can't Sleep" (Gary Crowley, GLR Session Dec '88)	2:34
16.	"Way Out" (Key 103, Jan '89)	2:42
17.	"I Am the Key" (Key 103, Jan '89)	3:05
18.	"That'll Be the Day" (BBC2 The Late Show Feb '89, Buddy Holly/Jerry Allison/Norman Petty)	2:07

Disc 2: Mike Hedges album

No.	Title	Length
1.	"I.O.U." (Mike Hedges version)	2:05
2.	"I Can't Sleep" (Mike Hedges version)	2:43
3.	"Knock Me Down" (Mike Hedges version)	2:56
4.	"Way Out" (Mike Hedges version)	2:47
5.	"Doledrum" (Mike Hedges version)	2:57
6.	"There She Goes" (Mike Hedges version)	2:49
7.	"Feelin'" (Mike Hedges version)	1:48
8.	"Timeless Melody" (Mike Hedges version)	3:07
9.	"Son of a Gun" (Mike Hedges version)	2:05
10.	"Clean Prophet" (Mike Hedges version)	2:09
11.	"Come in Come Out" (Mike Hedges version)	2:16
12.	"Failure" (Mike Hedges version)	3:08
13.	"Looking Glass" (Mike Hedges version)	7:28

Disc 2: Bonus material

No.	Title	Length
14.	"Doledrum" (John Porter mix)	2:53
15.	"Way Out" (Andy MacDonald mix)	2:39
16.	"There She Goes" (John Leckie mix)	2:44
17.	"Man I'm Only Human" (John Leckie mix)	5:00
18.	"Feelin'" (Bob Andrews mix)	1:53
19.	"Clean Prophet" (Bob Andrews mix)	2:02
20.	"I Can't Sleep" (Jeremy Allom mix)	2:41

Personnel

The La's[17] Lee Mavers – lead vocals and backing vocals, guitars John Power – basses and backing vocals Peter "Cammy" Camell – lead guitars Neil Mavers – drums and tambourine John "Boo" Byrne – electric guitar (on "There She Goes") Chris Sharrock – drums and tambourine (on "There She Goes") Paul Hemmings – electric guitar (on "Way Out") John "Timmo" Timson – drums, tambourine and bells(on "Way Out") Production[17] Steve Lillywhite – producer, mixing Mark Wallis – additional producer, engineer Donal Hodgson – engineer (on "Looking Glass") Bob Andrews – producer (on "There She Goes") Dave Charles – engineer (on "There She Goes") Additional personnel[17] Ryan Art – design

The La's: Deluxe Edition personnel[17] Barry Sutton – guitar (disc one: tracks 13–18, disc two: tracks 1–13, 20) Chris Sharrock – drums (disc one: tracks 13–18, disc two: tracks 1–13, 18–20) Paul Hemmings – guitar (disc two: tracks 14–15) John "Timmo" Timson – drums (disc two: tracks 14–15) Peter "Cammy" Camell – guitar (disc two: tracks 16–17) Iain Templeton – drums (disc two: tracks 16–17) John "Boo" Byrne – guitar (disc two: tracks 18–19) The La's: Deluxe Edition production personnel[17] Mike Hedges – producer, remastering (disc two: tracks 1–13) Ian Grimble – engineer, mixing (disc two: tracks 1–13) Kevin Metcalfe – remastering (disc two: tracks 1–13) John Porter – producer (disc two: track 14) Kenny Jones – engineer (disc two: track 14) Gavin MacKillop – producer (disc two: track 15) Andy MacDonald – remixing (disc two: track 15) John Leckie – producer (disc two: tracks 16–17) Barry Hammond – engineer (disc two: tracks 16–17) Mike Shepherd – engineer (disc two: tracks 16–17) Bob Andrews – producer (disc two: tracks 18–19) Dave Charles – engineer (disc two: tracks 18–19) Jeremy Allom – producer (disc two: track 20) Mike Haas – engineer (disc two: track 20)

Release history

Region	Date	Label	Format(s)	Catalog
United Kingdom	1 October 1990	Go! Discs	LP, CD, Cassette	828,202
Europe	November 1990	Polydor	LP, CD, Cassette	828,202
United States	1991	London Records	LP, CD, Cassette	828,202
Japan	1998	Polydor	CD (8 bonus tracks)	POCD 1041
United Kingdom	29 January 2001	Go! Discs	CD (Remastered edition, 5 bonus tracks)	549,566
United Kingdom	14 April 2008	Polydor	2xCD (Deluxe edition)	5306021

Chart performance

Charts (1990–1991)	Peak chart position
UK Albums Chart[18]	30
US Billboard 200[19]	196

References

1. Rocklist.net NME: The 500 Greatest Albums Of All Time : October 2013
2. Erlewine, Stephen Thomas. "The La's – The La's". AllMusic. Retrieved 25 May 2015.
3. Kot, Greg (14 February 1991). "The La's: The La's (Go! Discs/London)". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved 25 May 2015.
4. Larkin, Colin (2011). The Encyclopedia of Popular Music (5th concise ed.). Omnibus Press. ISBN 0-85712-595-8.
5. Arnold, Gina (5 April 1991). "The La's". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved 25 May 2015.
6. Capper, Andy (3 February 2001). "The La's: The La's". NME. Retrieved 25 May 2015.
7. "The La's: The La's". Q (174): 126–27. March 2001.
8. Moon, Tom (2004). "The La's". In Brackett, Nathan; Hoard, Christian (eds.). The New Rolling Stone Album Guide (4th ed.). Simon & Schuster. p. 476. ISBN 0-7432-0169-8.
9. Harrison, Andrew (November 1990). "The Scally Army". Select (5): 98.
10. "The La's: The La's". Uncut (132): 96. May 2008.
11. Christgau, Robert (30 July 1991). "Consumer Guide". The Village Voice. Retrieved 25 May 2015.
12. Simpson, Dave (2 May 2008). "The madness of perfection". The Guardian. London. Retrieved 7 April 2010.
13. https://www.rollingstone.com/music/pictures/30-greatest-one-album-wonders-20160714/13-the-las-the-las-1990
14. Robert Dimery; Michael Lydon (23 March 2010). 1001 Albums You Must Hear Before You Die: Revised and Updated Edition. Universe. ISBN 978-0-7893-2074-2.
15. Doran, John (17 October 2011). "Noel Gallagher Selects His Thirteen Favourite Albums". The Quietus. Retrieved 24 October 2018.
16. Rocklist.net NME: The 500 Greatest Albums Of All Time : October 2013
17. The La's: Deluxe Edition (booklet). The La's. UK: Polydor Records. 2008. 5306021.CS1 maint: others (link)
18. LA'S | Artist | Official Charts
19. The La's Music News & Info | Billboard

External links

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