EMD Blur

'Starshaped' is a very good documentary to add to your Blur collection. It seems the main focus is on the 'Modern Life is Rubbish' era (no complaints there). It gently grazes towards the 'Parklife' chapter very briefly and it seems to be a product as a result of the 'Leisure' era. The bonus features are great and well worth it for any fan. I suggest buying the "No Distance Left To Run" DVD first or read Alex James' book "A Bit of A Blur" (amazing book) before purchasing this film.

I know nothing about Blur. Bought this as a gift for someone who absolutely adores them, though, and they were incredibly pleased with it.

The period documented by this newly refurbished DVD re-release of "Starshaped"--roughly 1991-93--was without a doubt one of the highlights in the history of this now-venerable UK act. Fresh from their initial flush of success, but before they became ubiquitous superstars, "Starshaped" features some spirited live performances and backstage footage that offers a more intimate look at the group than their Best Of collection of videos. The camera focuses most naturally on frontman Albarn, although time is also given to Graham Coxton's quirky and likeable personality, as he cheerily complains of headaches, dehydration and the effects of being on sedatives.Some fine footage of "Colin Zeal, "Popscene", "For Tomorrow" and "Day After Day" garnish the original video, now with addedconcert footage from Kilburn and the Princess Charlotte in '91.The band is in transition from its earlier, trancy, Stone Roses-influenced sound to the Kink-esque form of "Modern Life Is Rubbish", but it all sounds like excellent guitar-pop witha heavy psychedelic rush, loving social comment and and topped by Albarn's signature vocal style. He certainly doesn't lack energy throughout, and frequently gets himself into trouble with his on-stage shenanigans (ie when the PA falls on his foot), giving the film at times a Spinal Tap quality (they even visit Stonehenge), although it's all with tongue well in cheek. Blur were probably at their most likeable at this stage, an up-and coming group who would conquer the UK in only a year's time from the release of "Starshaped", a document which certainly gives ample enough justification for their rise and whose US release is now very welcome.

I bought this because I didn't know much about the history of Blur. This early live stuff is like watching paint dry, navel gazing, and is a bit irritating at points. It is a good one-time view, but I have no desire to watch it again. It should only be bought by the biggest fans.

Ohhh!!...parecia que fuera ayer cuando odiaba Blur. Bueno..nunca supe de la existencia de este video hasta que me decidi a comprar los cds por amazon. Y bueno ya que compre los cds, me dije "porque no llevar el vid tb?!". Definitivamente, de todo el pack lo mejor fue este video. Ni el "Tonite sold out" de Nirvana le llega a los pies a este ( Y eso que Nirvana es mi "all time favorite").Las entrevistas, actuaciones claves, muchiiiisimas canciones, el "eastern egg", los otros dos conciertos que vienen ( Kilburn y otro mas que no recuerdo), la edicion grafica...todo. Todo es barbaro en este video...hasta que sale el sonido...Supuestamente la version VHS tiene el mismo contenido , menos los extras, pero el sonido es nitido. No se que diablos habra pasado con la conversion a formato DVD. A excepcion de los extras, el audio del video es desastroso, distorsionado. He escuchado que la version alemana o del este de Europa no tiene fallas en el formato DVD...pero no me consta.Es mas , la estrella que no le doy por calificacion es por el sonido.Video basico y must have en cualquier videoteca.

I've had no problems with the sound on my dvd. The film itself is a great tour documentary of the band in what I'd consider it's most creative, and volatile period. They were very drunk back then too, which shows. but the live performances are killer and the behind the scenes footage is very entertaining. Plus the dvd version is expanded with a full concert from Kilburn that sounds excellent and very hi-fi, with a great setlist. Plus there are four tracks from a camcorder of a very very early blur performance that is just in shambles, but still a whole lot of fun, and the sound on that is quite good considering the very lo-fi source.This is can't miss stuff for any blur fan. Especially for the full concert that is included here. That's worth the admission price alone.

The full concert from Blur's best era in my opinion makes this DVD worth the money especially since they play some rare stuff, the documentary is silly at times and very dated but it's cool to see the guys as they really are.

finally, the dvd that documents an early blur. previously available only on vhs, Starshaped follows blur through european festivals and pre Great Escape period, though i've only seen the vhs tape purchased in Japan, i remember the Stonehenge moments, the P.A. falling on damon's foot and the hilarious comments of graham following the rocker's (goth) "interview" after a show, a great "For Tomorrow" clip.