Did The La’s ever truly embark on a second album? The answer might surprise you—and it’s far more complex than you’d think. While their 1990 debut album left an indelible mark on the indie rock scene, bridging the gap between the British Invasion’s nostalgia and a fresh, modern sound, the band’s journey afterward was anything but straightforward. And this is the part most people miss: their struggle wasn’t just about creative differences or external pressures—it was deeply rooted in frontman Lee Mavers’ relentless pursuit of perfection.
Here’s where it gets controversial: Was Mavers’ perfectionism a blessing or a curse? On one hand, it’s what made their debut so timeless. Tracks like ‘There She Goes’ and ‘Way Out’ (even Morrissey-approved!) showcased a band ahead of their time. But on the other hand, this very trait became their undoing. Mavers’ obsession with achieving a specific sound led to years of scrapped material and producer disputes. As he once poignantly observed, ‘The closer you get to perfection, the closer you get to imperfection.’ A paradox that ultimately stalled their momentum.
After bassist John Power’s departure in 1991—frustrated by rehashing the same songs since 1986—The La’s began to unravel. Mavers continued working solo in the mid-90s, but his absence from the spotlight only fueled media speculation. The closest we got to a second album? A collaboration with founding member Mike Badger in the late 90s, resulting in Lost La’s compilation albums of early demos. Hardly the follow-up fans were hoping for.
Fast forward to 2006, when Power hinted at Mavers ‘tinkering with something,’ but with a caveat: ‘It can’t be rushed.’ Nearly two decades later, we’re still waiting. But here’s the real question: Did The La’s’ perfectionism preserve their legacy, or did it rob us of the music they could have created? Let’s debate this in the comments—do you think their single album was enough, or did their potential remain tragically untapped?
