I know you don't see many hard music releases on Alarma Records, but this is the best Christian band to come from Seattle since Bloodgood. Yes, of course, these guys are riding the trendy "music revolution" wave that Soundgarden crested several years ago. Terry Taylor gives the guys a jangly, controlled sound that teeters the band more in the direction of Smashing Pumpkins or Nirvana than, say, Pearl Jam.
Guitarist Aaron Sprinkle gives the band a varied menu of sounds -- mostly drawing on the tube, wah, and fuzz sound of the 60's. Resisting the tendency to just make music for the heck of it, Poor Old Lu has a cause behind its lyrics. "Peapod" defines the lost-ness of many, "We've been tripping around so wrong/ I know we've lost our sight;" while "Cruciality" exposes the futility of hippie-ness, "Enough of flower power -- step on ways that make us sour;" and brings us full circle to the answer -- "this world needs the Son."
For variety, pay Poor Old Lu a visit. For heaviness, go Pet The Fish instead.
Other coverage for this album
The Lighthouse April 1994Reviewed by Jeff Elbelpoor old lu. has been inundated with comparisons to Blind Melon, Smashing Pumpkins, and fellow Seattle natives The Posies. The band's guitar driven sound combines fuzz tones, wah pedal, funk and rock rhythms, and acoustic guitar into a melting pot that acknowledges its modern and classic rock influences while forging its own way. Although at times vocalist/lyricist Scott Hunter's voice is a bit…Similar sounding releases
2001Stavesacre / Denison MarrsStavesacre / Denison Marrs
1997GuardianBottle Rocket
2003The Prayer ChainHere Comes the Rust
2000The Mustard SeedsRed
1995Adam AgainPerfecta
1995PlankeyeThe SparkMore from Poor Old Lu
1992Star Studded Super Step
1998In Their Final Performance
1998Chrono (1993-1998)
2002The Waiting Room
1996A Picture of the Eighth Wonder
