Did The La’s ever start working on a second album?
When you take a step back and examine the broader implications of The La’s impact on the rock music landscape, it becomes clearer why they only released one album. Making a significant mark with just a debut record is no small feat, yet their sole album has endured impressively over time, outlasting many of their contemporaries. This suggests that they certainly had something special to offer. However, led by frontman Lee Mavers, The La’s encountered numerous challenges from the very beginning, ultimately rendering their journey towards growth and sustainability quite difficult.
One significant factor contributing to their struggles was an overwhelming pursuit of perfection. Mavers himself has acknowledged that his relentless quest for flawless artistry often served as more of a barrier than a boon, expressing thoughts such as, "It gets clearer, and it gets vaguer… Before every dawn, there’s a night; before every calm, there’s a storm… It’s like, the closer you get to perfection, the closer you get to imperfection, simple as."
It’s possible that the acclaim from their early hits, including the beloved track 'There She Goes' and the Morrissey-endorsed single ‘Way Out’, along with tracks like ‘Come in Come Out’ and ‘Who Knows’, created a unique kind of pressure that amplified Mavers’ already established perfectionist tendencies. After all, with their groundbreaking 1990 album, they ushered in a novel sound of indie rock that merged the classic elements of the British Invasion with a contemporary twist.
However, the journey to that point was anything but smooth. They spent years discarding material repeatedly due to Mavers’ dissatisfaction with various producers and his pursuit of a distinct sound. For reasons unknown, it took three painstaking years to finally nail down what they sought.
So, did The La’s ever embark on creating a second record?
After their debut and a series of live performances, The La’s began to unravel, beginning with John Power’s exit in 1991. His departure stemmed primarily from frustration over repeatedly performing the same songs since 1986, leading him to form a new band, Cast, the following year in search of a fresh musical direction.
The subsequent years reflected a sporadic existence for the remaining band members. Mavers began crafting new material by himself during the mid-to-late 1990s, attracting media attention for his struggle with perfectionism, which he felt hindered The La’s potential greatly.
The closest The La’s came to producing a follow-up album was when Mavers reconnected with founding member Mike Badger towards the end of the decade. Together, they collaborated on a project that ultimately resulted in two compilation albums showcasing early demos and recordings titled Lost La’s 1984–1986: Breakloose and Lost La’s 1986–1987: Callin’ All.
A few years later, after reuniting with Mavers, Power hinted that Mavers was indeed working on a prospective second album. However, his comments were not particularly encouraging regarding the timeline for its release—if it would ever see the light of day. He mentioned that Mavers was "tinkering with something" but emphasized that the release date was still a mystery, stating, "I can’t tell you where and when, ’cause whatever he does, whether it’s in this lifetime or the next, it can’t be rushed." He made these remarks back in 2006.
