The La's
The La's
1990
Album Summary
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 The La's at number 153 on its list of the 500 greatest albums of all time.
WikipediaThis is unexpectedly excellent! Nearly flawless poppy alt rock. "There She Goes" is properly timeless, as I was very surprised to learn this was its origin - I assumed it must be a cover of something that had been around since the 60s or 70s! There are a lot of great tracks besides that one, though. "I Can't Sleep" and "Timeless Melody" are both awesome, but my fave track award has to go to the closing phantasmagorical wonder "Looking Glass"...
This album does what a lot of albums through the 90s tried to do, but not many came to the level that The La's did. Each song stands alone and has its own character without feeling too uncohesive as a whole for the album. And it's got There She Goes, so...
I only knew "There She Goes" from this ("There She Goes" is a 5). So based on that perfect pop song, along with the fact it's on this list, I was expecting great things. It's not the perfect pop album some claim it is. You know what is the perfect pop album from a similar time? "Girlfriend" by Matthew Sweet. Girlfriend is a 5, and somehow that perfect pop album isn't on this list. But The La's is? I don't get it. The album is fine, it just doesn't need to be on this list. Put Matthew Sweet on here instead. Still love "There She Goes" though. But one perfect song does not a great album make.
Pretty confused on how this album is included in a "must listen before you die" list. It's just generic early 90s alt rock, nothing special to it at all.
Perfect jangle pop, it's never been done better. If only The La's could have been happy with this album and released many other albums, the world would not have needed or noticed the overrated Oasis. I don't know why the band couldn't be satisfied, but I'm glad, at least, that this got released. It's happy and poppy, yet it is still one of the most enjoyable albums of the 90's
This kinda sounds like if The Beatles had come up during the late 80s alt/college rock scene and I’m all about it.
End to end greatness - snotty, melodic, great musicianship and then there’s ‘There She Goes’ throughly fun and enjoyable.
Never heard of this band, and this was great! Halfway through the album, brace for a "oh, the version I know (and kind of hate) was a COVER?!"
‘’The La’s” by The La’s (1990). La? Why La? (inside joke for fans of Derek and the Dominos). “La” is “lad” in Liverpool dialect. I might rather have titled this album “The Ho’s” by The Hums. The songs feature lyrics that employ excessive obscurity in the dutiful service of meaninglessness. The point is, one must assume, not the words, but the sounds. And the sounds are a slight improvement over bad rock from the 60s. On a song entitled “Timeless Melody”, a serious listener would naturally have high expectations for the melody. But nope. Subpar lead vocal which absolutely requires reverb—not good. Otherwise, competent instrumentals and backing vocals, but nothing to applaud. One highlight on this album: “There She Goes” is cool, but when she’s gone, there’s not much left. A one hit wonder from a one album blunder. This album is Herman’s Hermits trying to learn from U2. Keep studying, lads. 2/5
This was okay, but no real stand out songs aside from "There She Goes." Everything basically blended together. This whole time I thought a woman sung There She Goes, but I think I was just misremembering the song.
Hmmm, so I thought this was the worst oasis album, always thought the big song on this album was just the worst oasis song. So my bad. Just really not good
Budget britpop band cosplaying as REM, the worst of jangle pop meets bland lyrics. There She Goes is still fun though.
Okay, it's starting to get pretty obvious that the collective of critics involved in making this list probably leans heavy on British critics who served as tastemakers in the 1980s and the 1990s. That seems like the only logical explanation for what seems like a gross over representation of mediocre and unworthy British albums from the 1980s and 1990s. This album is a perfect example of this. Aside from the hit that everyone knows from so many movies from the 1990s, this album and band is completely inconsequential. Nothing really here at all.
Good album this. There's a smash hit which is not at all representative of the rest, which is a good thing
This was a good album. I really liked it. The last track was exceptionally great imo. That is all.
It's brilliant. I think I know every note. The most famous song is probably the worst in it. Like The Stone Roses, just so frustrating they didn't make more at their peak.
One of the greatest songs ever written and some other great songs. I own this on vinyl and couldn't hit the 5 button faster!
All I knew ahead of time is There She Goes, mostly from So I Married an Axe Murderer (which I watched again this summer and it has held up pretty well). I like this album! Different songs remind me of different bands --- lots of REM sounds, a bit of U2 and The Beatles, British Invasion era Rolling Stones and The Kinks, and even an iota of The Monkees. None of that is bad. The song Feelin' has me feelin' pretty darn good. (It's just too short!) Would have rated it a 4 after the first listen. Rounding up to 5 after the second.
Really enjoyed this, only knew one song well, but it wasn't even the one I liked most. My favourites were son of a gun, doledrum, timeless melody, and the absolute best was looking glass. Just wish they had done more, but better one 5 🌟 album than five 1 🌟 ones!
Love it... first 5 star album. Always loved "There She Goes", hadn't heard the rest, and am glad that I did!
This album surprised me with being better than I thought it would be. Listened to it almost three times in a day. The songs are interesting, and they didn't all sound the same.
What a fantastic album, captures the spirit and feel of classic 60s British pop (is it Mersybeat) better than any British pop album I can think of. It manages to sound both fresh and nostalgic at the same time. And every song is a winner. Of course the omnipresent There She Gies is the hilight, the song everyone knows but no one knows who sings it. I love this album for its sound, its gorgeous and utterly tasteful production but mostly for its fantastic songs. 5 🌟
Never heard this before but it’s quite good! Awesome early 90s alt rock. Bit of a “one hit wonder” with There She Goes, but honestly every song on this album could have been a massive hit.
Really the only question is do you like this style of music...early Kinks, mersey beat, brit jangle pop? Because if you do...this album is quite nearly perfect. Song after song pure pop perfection. Gorgeous melodies, tasteful, beautiful arrangements, sweet ringing guitars. For my sensibilities it is, as said...nearly perfect. 5 🌟
A record in my sweet spot, a high water mark of my college radio prime. I still have the vinyl shared promotionally by the record co. Every cut works well on its terms, and the record is the antithesis of the one-hit-wonder in that sense, but it’s hard to believe they never made another album – sound like the perfect got to be the enemy of the good. The final track still amazes, pulling together the records many to build something new; the whole is very much more the sum of its parts, which might also be said of the record a whole.
I really liked this! Every song was different and engaging and just overall pleasant. I didn’t think it was necessarily groundbreaking but I do think it’s really well done for 90s power pop. On my first listen, I was thinking I would give it a 4, but after listening to twice, I’m giving it a 5 because I plan to keep it on my phone.
I really liked this album. I had to turn on the lyrics to understand him but was glad I did. They were rilly gud
Rubbing my chubby cock on the curtains after dribbling down my ball sack. What a seminal record this is and for me, what a semenal record too. In case if haven't realised, I jizzed and then wiped it on the curtains.
Wow! I've never heard of this band. This was such an amazing experience! This is why I signed up for this generator. A solid 5/5 a British delight! I can definitely see the influence this band had on other bands I've listened to like The Clinic. Thanks!
I actually am disappointed this group ended after this, because the album was really strong and punchy. I think if they had written another album they might have become massive successes.
I have a real soft spot for this album. It has some fantastic songs on it.
Going in I only knew their hit. The album was really nice. Despite never having heard it, it gave me a pang of nostalgia. And the last song on the album hit me like a ton of bricks. Very glad to have listened.
It is hard to believe that this is over 30 years old. Most music sounds like it comes from a certain period (the distinctive 80s gated drum sound fr example). Not the La's. This music floats along effortlessly. I was among the cult when this was released in 1990. The cult may have grown out of cult status, but I am still on board. There She Goes is a perfect pop song, but there are many highpoints (Timeless Melody and Looking Glass are exceptional). They may have been a one and done, but it is magnificent one indeed.
Worth owning the album just for of the greatest songs ever written, plus a few other solid tracks. Great Brit Pop.
This was a big surprise. I thought they were a one hit wonder with There She Goes. But this sounds more at home on 2022 Indie Rock radio than 1990
This a great opportunity to review a good friend and chat a little! A favorite!
Every single song is a winner. I love love love this album so much and remember a time pre-Internet when I kept looking for more The La's. I realized I've been rating albums against Sgt. Pepper. Like I rarely give a 5 b/c how can anything come close to Pepper. But I'm seeing that as a mistake and trying to be pure to the question, "is this an album to listen to before you die." The La's is indeed such an album. Simply perfect.
I first heard ‘There She Goes’ while watching the movie ‘So I Married an Ax Murderer’ in 1993. Thought it was great. Moved on with my life. Then a few years later my great friend Marianne reintroduced me to the band. I borrowed the CD from her and did not want to give it back. Eventually I did after many requests and gentle threats. All of the songs are my favorites!
For one album with one main hit i was surpirsed how much i enjoyed basically all the songs from this album. it's got a lot to enjoy 1) Strong start. Vibey, captivating lyrically and audio wise. 2) head nodder, a song you can feel in your body, vibey amping up 3) Good 4) funky def a bop 5) There she goes. a classic. its not suprising that its a one hit wonder song. its just interesting that it is considering that its half way into the album and the songs before definitely were good. This song is basically repetitive vibes which i guess fits the people can learn it quickly and obsess over it pipeline. 6) slack jaw groovey 6/10 7) i like it. relateable. almost that surfer rock guitar? 8) a little bit harder and rougher vocally, in a good way, more of a rock and roll influence 9) more rock. def a top 10) ooh i love the vibe switch up. darker, slower pace. love death vibes 11) might be my favorite. full on rockabilly. picking up the pace. 12) its interesting how many of these albums end with an extra long song. this is a good one
Really enjoyed this, only knew one song well, but it wasn't even the one I liked most. My favourites were son of a gun, doledrum, timeless melody, and the absolute best was looking glass. Just wish they had done more, but better one 5 🌟 album than five 1 🌟 ones
Probably my favorite that I've gotten so far. I was completely unfamiliar with this album before listening, and it blew me away! Great variety in music and really captures a unique sound that fits right in between 80s pop rock and the onset of grunge.
I had no idea this was the group that did "There She Goes" - I've always wondered who did that song! And the rest of the album was great too!
Solid power pop album. Really great stuff in here, espec I Can't Sleep and Looking Glass. And, There She Goes is an all-timer. This one will get repeat listens, for sure.
A solid early indie album. Good for 1990, I can hear lots of bands took influence from this later in the decade
This album was right up our alley. Also had a famous song "There she goes" that we know by heart, but had no idea who it was by. Now we know! Very good listen as an album, but the songs at the end were a little too slow to give it the full five stars.
Good British rock. It sounds a bit old school for the 80's, but I'm not complaining.
Somewhere between the Smashing Pumpkins and R.E.M. The La's sit comfortably with an early 90s rock sound that has definitely been influenced by 60s and 70s classic rock. It's a shame that they only managed one album however this one album does have a range of tracks. It seems to blend punk, rock, shoegaze and indie. I could listen to this again, 7/10
Good album, too bad they didn't do more. Didn't know "There She Goes" was by The La's.
Gotta love those strong Liverpool accents coming through in this album. It’s got a real folk sound but I’ve also read this album be described as some of the first Brit pop.
Great album. Only ever heard there she goes previously but thought whole album was great.
Nice guitar part, but too quiet voice. Some very good rock tracks, but there are some very noisy tracks on the album.
Пока что самый внятный альбом из тех, что были. Чёткие, лаконичные мелодии, приятные мотивы, не сливающееся в нечто аморфное. Думал, что нечто подобное и будет основу списка составлять. Похоже на то, чему я при определённых условиях в параллельной вселенной мог бы заебенить пятёру.
Peak jangle pop. Fun, nostalgic, and "There She Goes" brings back a lot of memories. Gorgeous.
Very diverse but it all rocks! Ahead of their time at some times and a great throwback to invasion rock at others. Some of the songs get repetitive lyrically but they're generally catchy and most are under three minutes long. Refreshingly, nearly all of the album was different than There She Goes, even if it is a good song on it's own.
Fun album, variable quality in places, but overall enjoyable, and I would listen again.
Mostly nondescript but catchy songs. Recognized "There She Goes" from every movie ever. Everything else was new to me. I liked "Liberty Ship" and "All By Myself". There aren't really any standouts but there are no bad songs on the album, and the songs that are on there tend to grow on you.
A surprisingly enjoyable album to listen to. Mostly calm and melodic, the album doesn't feel samey in any place and the lead vocalist has a great voice.
This seems like a perfect album for the transition from gloomy 80's Brit rock to more upbeat Brit pop. Feels like a direct gateway to Oasis, but even Ned's Atomic Dustbin or Teenage Fanclub before them. There She Goes has been so overplayed that I can't stand listening to it, but the other tracks are quite solid. I Can't Sleep and Timeless Melody are catchy but with enough musical and vocal edge to it. Doledrum reminds me of another British band & song that I can't quite put my finger on, though the guitar work is a bit too poppy for me. But maybe it was intended to be more rockabilly like Feelin' sounds like. Overall, I'd say that even when one song might let me down a bit, the very next song picked me right back up. A very solid album.
I really liked the style combination here of Britpop and Liverpool. Very raw, but a couple of the tracks felt too underdeveloped. Did not know “There She Goes” was originally theirs. Of the albums I’ve heard for the first time, this one I’ve liked best.
This album grew on me. I suppose people think of There She Goes but I found myself re-listening to a number of tracks, especially all the F’s: Freedom Song, feelin’, and Failure. Makes me want to learn more about this group.
These are some tight songs! Well-performed, excellent guitar work especially. Largely upbeat, fun jangle pop with a sort of indie/britpop edge. Looking Glass is also a killer closer. Grateful to have heard this.
Five stars for ‘There She Goes’, one of the finest compositions. The rest is pretty middling to me to be honest, good just not great. Cover art is sick.