Under the misguiding hand of singer-songwriter Lee Mavers, the La's have become one of the most heavily praised, yet oddly misunderstood bands of the entire '90s British pop revival. A Liverpudlian quartet with roots deep in English folk-pop, the La's released their debut in 1990, only to implode before recording a follow-up. Tormented by drink and perfectionist tendencies, Mavers obsessed his way through the album's recording sessions, then lambasted his label in the press upon its release, claiming the record was unfinished. Nonetheless, The La's sounds as energized, engaging and irresistibly tuneful today as when it was released.
Favoring acoustic guitars, pulsating rhythms and simple yet wonderfully rich melodies, Mavers builds his unique world from restless English sea shanties and the magical spirit of Liverpool pop. Delivering clever wordplay through yearning vocals, Mavers exudes a thoughtful sensibility, moving from despondency ("Feelin,") to frustrated puppy love (the winsome hit "There She Goes") to melancholy future-gazing ("Looking Glass"). An uneasy maverick, Mavers imbues his songs with a visceral stamp, crooning sadly or rocking with gut-busting ardor. On "I Can't Sleep," the band drills the rhythm as Mavers sings like an early John Lennon, the song bucking hotly like an early Beatles outtake. "Timeless Melody" blends Who-like punch with a dreamily hypnotic melody while "I.O.U." gallops along like prime Hollies.
The La's is a powerful album that still sounds weightier, darker and more challenging than much of today's Britpop. And while the La's are currently MIA (bassist John Powers left to form the successful La's clone, Cast), it's said that Lee Mavers is still writing songs while searching for the elusive sound that haunts his troubled head.
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