Okay 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 too. ...Super-Step has been re-released by Alarma Records just for your edification. There's only one problem . . . it's not all there! The original ...Super-Step was released on tape in 1992, and re-released on CD in 1995 with some extra tracks. That 1995 CD is a coveted trophy, and will continue to be so. It contained 10 tracks and 14 bonus tracks. The new re-re-release has all ten of the original tracks, but only four of the ten bonus tracks from the 1995 re-release. Unlike the indie '95 release, though, we get lyrics included in the liner notes this time. And if all this release, re-release, and re-re-release is confusing, don't feel bad, you're not alone.
For the uninitiated, Poor Old Lu is Aaron Sprinkle on guitar, keys, and background vocals; Nick Barber on bass and background vocals; Jesse Sprinkle on drums and percussion; and Scott Hunter on vocals. Poor Old Lu has its own sound and doesn't need to borrow from anyone else. The music is definitely modern alternative and quite good for that. It is amazing how fresh some music still is even after six years, and ...Super-Step is one of those rare recordings that holds up well over time. It is alive and vibrant, calling out for you to listen. Granted, the recording quality is not up to industry standards--the vocals are muddy and at times hard to hear, and the whole thing sounds like it was done in a gymnasium--but what do you expect from something that was recorded over a five-day period six years ago, using a rented 8-track and other borrowed equipment? The energy and feeling behind the music more than makes up for the rushed feeling to the project, and when you realize this is where it all started, you can be amazed at the quality that is there. You would think that if they were going to re-release this again they would have tried to clean it up, but that didn't happen. Most of the songs have been re-recorded on Mindsize or Sin, but ...Super-Step is still that rare classic.
4 tocks
Other coverage for this album
Puddlegum 1998Reviewed by Kevin FlickIt 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…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
1993Mindsize
1998In Their Final Performance
1996A Picture of the Eighth Wonder
1998Chrono (1993-1998)
2002The Waiting Room
