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Chemical Brothers - Star Guitar cover

The Chemical Brothers: Star Guitar

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by The Black Cockerel
Rumour has it that, after nearly ten years of releasing both popular and critically acclaimed albums, The Chemical Brothers were beginning to run out of steam. Even Tom and Ed themselves admit that "Come With Us" is "more of the same", and last single "It Began In Afrika" seemed a bit of a lame taster. Could it be that, the cutting of "the blonde one's" trademark hair depleted them, Samson-like, of the ability to make a computer dance?

Er, probably not, cos' "Star Guitar" is really rather nice. Think of "Surrender"'s more blissed-out moments and you're halfway there. It wouldn't have sounded out of place on, say, "Screamadelica". The edited single version seems to drift buy rather quickly, but when it has, you know you've heard somethng good. The B-side "Base 6" is more like a track from "Dig Your Own Hole" and goes "squelchy-squelchy-squelchy", which is a complement, and Pete Heller's expanded mix does exactly what it says on the tin.

Expect to hear this song, unfortunately, on a million TV adverts for a million 'Chillout' albums over the coming months, where couples coming down after a hard nights clubbing look all plastic and sexy, as opposed to real E-taking couples, sweaty and paranoid.

  • The Chemical Brothers 6 / 10

Chemical Brothers - Star Guitar

Not really relevant to the review, but the promo video for this track is, IMHO, amazing. A CGI train ride with everything going past in time to the music - each type of thing representing a different element of the tune. Grows on you each time you watch it.

Check it out a stream of it here (fast connections obviously recommended), buy the DVD single, or watch MTV etc.

Re: Chemical Brothers - Star Guitar

Yeah, totally. It makes the song for me. Absolutely amazing. Gondry=God.




© DrownedinSound.com | From the Archive - Singles Round-up (21/04/08)