It is very odd to have a chance to review this album in 1998. In order to fully appreciate Star Studded Super Step, you need to know a piece of the story laying behind this collection of songs.
It is true, that this is Poor Old Lu's latest release. Yet it isn't exactly new because Star Studded Super Step was originally recorded in 1992. The four guys of Poor Old Lu were still in high school (note: Jesse Sprinkle graduated high school in 1994).
In 1991, Lu had already recorded and independantly released "Three Song Demo". They decided to record again and see what would happen. Renting an 8-track and filling a room in their church with sound for 5 days, Poor Old Lu recorded this gem. Aaron Sprinkle did most of the production, while the other guys did the rest. (he would go on to produce other albums by Poor Old Lu, and other artisits such as Rose Blossom Punch, Soulfood 76, Blenderhead, MxPx, Damien Jurado, and others)
The album was handed to Randy Stonehill, who listened to it a while later. He was impressed by Poor Old Lu's sound and early maturity, and through him Poor Old Lu was able to take a few steps forward. In the end, Poor Old Lu recorded Mindsize under the label Alarma.
1,000 copies of Star Studded Super Step was released again in 1995, containing 10 extra songs. The re-release sold out in 3 months, and since then, fans have been dying to get their hands on this piece of memorabilia. This re-release has the original Star Studded Super Step material, plus two songs from their "Three Song Demo." None of these songs were done over; they are in their original form.
Fans of Lu will recognize "Canon-Fire Orange" from the "Sin" release. It was originally written in 1990 when Poor Old Lu went by the name of BellBangVilla. "Sometimes Cry", "Peapod", and "To Be Awake" were recorded again, under the production of Terry Taylor, for Mindsize. If you listen closely you can find progressions that appear in later albums. Star Studded Super Step show's their innocent, untouched by any label, and purely raw talent.
Poor Old Lu was ahead of their age in 1992, and they were also doing things that had never been done before in the Christian market. How many high school kids do you know that are truely cutting edge, are writing songs and melodies that they wouldn't be too embarassed to use 4 years later, and who are writing quality and convicting lyrics? Poor Old Lu is the only band that I can think of that has done all of this. Star Studded Super Step is a testamony of that.
"So you shiver and it's cold, like the world as you were told. And you love and you hear, but do you listen? Is He near? There are reasons, there are signs. No need to read between the lines. Fill the heavens with your tears, and your cries. Oh yes, He's near!" - "A Snowfallen Desert"
Other coverage for this album
The Phantom Tollbooth 1998Reviewed by Mark AylorOkay all you Poor Old Lu fans that have searched the world over for a copy of Star-Studded-Super-Step and were willing to pay outrageous prices for it just to make your collection complete . . . here is your chance to get one hot off the press. Or if you were just curious how Poor Old Lu sounded in the beginning, but didn't hold a hope of getting your hands on this rare gem, now you can find out…The Phantom Tollbooth 1998Reviewed by Josh SpencerIt's a little weird to be reviewing this now, since I'm one of the lucky few to have owned it for a couple years already. Long a highly searched-for underground release, it's now being re-released for fans after the band's demise. Joy! The 24 tracks on the disc are split into two parts--the first 10 being their original demo and the latter 14 being some more demo tracks and…The Conqueror Worm Jun/Jul 1995Reviewed by argyllethis re-release of their demo is a nice lil' treat for the mealy $10 (i think) it cost me. available directly from poor ol lu only, this disc has the 10 song demo with 14 bonus tracks. and almost all of them are songs too! nice, fun, funky, alternative rock highlights include "cannon-fire orange (does anyone understand this song?)" "puddlegum," "a snowfallen dessert," "in love with the greenery…Similar sounding releases
2000FringeFor the Vagabond Believer
1997Spooky TuesdayHappy Dissonance
1995Sign of the TimesDisengage
1996The Mustard SeedsThe Mustard Seeds
Clash of SymbolsSunday Is An Altogether Different Proposition
1998BumblepuppyAn Evening at the FeeliesMore from Poor Old Lu
1998Chrono (1993-1998)
1998In Their Final Performance
1996A Picture of the Eighth Wonder
2002The Waiting Room
1993Mindsize
