Like a force of nature, Poor Old Lu has often blustered onto the scene with each successive album, generally leaving the forecasters at a loss for words. A Picture of the Eighth Wonder is no exception. Opening with a seven-minute track, the thick and moody "Rail," it's obvious the members of Poor Old Lu like to push their luck. While it is a fine song, a prayer for lucidity amidst chaos, it's not how you open an album if you want to be pop stars. Other tracks pick up the tempo considerably, showcasing the band's ability to wed bright pop bounce with sudden, violent explosions of doubt and anger. It's like classic rock with sudden, sharp twists. A Picture of the Eight Wonder fits stylistically in between the modern pop hooks of Mindsize, and the vibe and atmospheric tricks of Sin. It's an excellent snapshot of a band that has matured, is worthy of great respect, yet is still unpredictable as all get out. Like a force of nature.
Other coverage for this album
The Lighthouse December 1996Reviewed by Bob MelvinIt's a shame that this review has to serve as a postmortem. It's a shame because just months before Poor Old Lu announced that they were disbanding, they released the best and most mature album of their brief career. It's a shame because the band was just beginning to hit their stride with their incredibly melodic brand of thoughtful, truly modern rock-setting a pace that few of today's one-off…Similar sounding releases
1999Pep SquadYreka Bakery
1996BloomsdayThe Day The Colors Died
1998BumblepuppyAn Evening at the Feelies
1997PlankeyeThe One And Only
2001Stavesacre / Denison MarrsStavesacre / Denison Marrs
1995Adam AgainPerfectaMore from Poor Old Lu
1992Star Studded Super Step
1998In Their Final Performance
1993Mindsize
2002The Waiting Room
1998Chrono (1993-1998)
