Poorer Debussy work (5)

I believe the answer is:

lamer

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'poorer' is the definition.
Both the answer and definition are comparative adjectives. Maybe they are linked in a way I don't understand?

I don't understand the remainder of the clue.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for lamer that I've seen before include "Comparatively weak" , "Hobbling more" , "Less able to walk" , "not so powerful" , "Less convincing" .)

I've seen this clue in the Sydney Morning Herald.

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