It's worth it only for diehard La's fans
Nick Cullen | Aliso Viejo, California United States | 07/13/2000
(2 out of 5 stars)
"Now that I think of it, if you are a diehard fan you probably own this already. And I'm sure, like myself, you were a bit disappointed with the first listen. True, there are a few standout tracks (most notably "Open Your Heart"-truly amazing). "Sweet 35" as well as "Moonlight" and "Dovecot Dub" are very good, but overall the album is lacking. If you were hoping for lost Lee Mavers gems you will be terribly disappointed. Although Mike Badger can write some fair lyrics, he can't hold a light to Mavers' genius. Buy The La's instead, you'll be much happier."
Open your heart to the La's
Damon Nomad | Texas | 03/05/2004
(3 out of 5 stars)
"If you're a fan of the La's, you really only need this cd for one song-- the great "Open Your Heart," which is really the only song on this album that actually sounds like the La's.The rest of the early songs and sketches co-written by Mike Badger and Lee Mavers are mostly fragmentary; "Get Down Over" and the bluesy "Money in Your Talk" are the only other ones that register as memorable songs.That said, there are some great moments on this cd-- the ghostly harmonies and lovely guitar solo in "Open Your Heart," the great guitar solo in "Trees and Plants," and the guitar work in "My Girl Sits Like a Reindeer," which is an embryonic version of "Feelin'." There is variety in the styles of the tracks on this cd-- "Sweet 35" and "You Blue" are jazzy, spoken word-type tracks; "Red Deer Stalk" and "Night Walk" almost verge on rap.Overall the sound quality is just OK, since these are demos. There is a hidden demo about 12 minutes after the last track-- a "studio" version of the punky song "Breakloose," which is a better recording than the live version that opens the album.If you're a La's fan, you may want this cd to complete your collection. Anyone else, if you enjoy obscure pop, you may like it, but this is mostly for La's completists."
Please don't bother
Todd Ryan | Fort Collins, Colorado USA | 08/23/2007
(1 out of 5 stars)
"As a big fan of the La's I wanted to have the rare releases since it seems unlikely there will be any more releases from the band. This CD should not say The La's on it. First thing, Lee Mavers does not sing, Mike Badger does and there is a big difference between the two. The songs are pretty awful and the only ones I could stand to listen to are "Dovecot Dub" and "Moonlight." The former is an instrumental and co-written by all members of the line-up at that point. The latter is the closest thing to the infectious melody expected from a La's song. If you are a big fan than you won't be dissuaded, but you will be wasting your money on a record that is The La's in name only."
