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50. ‘Starshaped’
On 'Modern Life Is Rubbish'. Produced by Stephen
Street.
Once mooted as a single, 'Star Shaped' is a major step
forward in Damon's writing. (Andy Partridge had made them do a samba
arrangement of it, detested by all). The idea is from a caption in Kurt
Vonnegut's Breakfast Of Champions - the star-shaped image refers to a
supine figure on a beach. 'Star Shaped' means "insensible". So to the
optimistic "I've been making plans/for the future" comes the sarcastic
riposte "We don't think so/you seem star shaped". The woodwind and brass
section (cor anglais, oboe, soprano sax at 1.38) is played by Kate St
John, ex-Cope cohort, circa '83. Stephen Street plays finger cymbals (eg
1.34, 2.44 etc). At the close, Graham plays a Moog synth note of
increasing pitch which eventually passes out of detectable human range -
hence his "anti cat and dog Moog tone" credit.
Though one of Blur's finest moments, the song gave Alex more headaches
than any other. He was struggling to get a satisfactory bassline when
Dave Balfe appeared. Listening to the songs recorded thus far, he was
less than impressed. When Blur delivered the new LP to Food and EMI in
December '92, it was rejected. Damon was told by Balfe to go back and "write
a single". It was another blow to Blur's esteem. Having looked forward
to a lethargic festive period, Blur faced new rejection.
And it would get worse before it got better.
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