I love the tracks like that, there's more sides to the La's than There She Goes and Timeless Melody. Not knocking those, but some bsides like Who Knows / Man, I'm Only Human / Endless / All By Myself are meLancholic.
Way we Came is almost as new to us; only surfaced when Viper unfurled it. It's... boss. Brooding and psychedelic. To me, when Lee said the La's have "been places like Ride, done all that", I think I get it now: they really did, he really has.
Barry Sutton was on here a few year back and I asked him those very same Knock me Down lyrics. You are correct! The addiction angle is interesting, especially with the dullards who've never been in love, written a song, or just been bursting with inspiriation who reckon a load of the songs are merely "about drugs". Get a soul la! Seems explict enough there. Lee has a bit of a rep for talking in riddles but his lyrics are straight as fuck and there we go. And the next line links it to love.
I sort of envy your journey. Sure I've poured fucking days of the La's onto youtube and it has its own happy rewards but even that's just me trying to find the first time all over again.
Way we Came is a grower.. a bit like Lookin Glass, for me, it's not one I'll dance around to in my garden (not ruling it out!), but put on special. I first listened to it walking down Albert Dock a summer or two ago, not a bad way. And with the Knock me Down riff starting it off, it screams inspiration. Compare those tunes; how different!
Sláinte, new listeners to this timeless band are amazing to second-hand enjoy
