The breakthrough 1988 album by The Church, Starfish has remained the
band's most commercially successful release. The first single, "Under The
Milky Way", charted well into the American Top 40,peaking at #24 and #2
on Mainstream Rock Tracks leading to significant exposure of the then
relatively underground Australian act Recorded/produced in Los Angeles
by L.A. session musicians Waddy Wachtel and Greg Ladanyi, the recording
is more sparse and open than its predecessor, Heyday. Many of its songs have
seen heavy rotation in live setlists, and the album remains a favorite among
many fans. Band members repeatedly noted how much they disliked being in
Los Angeles during the recording sessions; "North, South, East And West" is
an indictment of L.A.'s shallow aspects.The album's title was taken from singer/
bassist Steve Kilbey's nickname for friend/ musical partner Donnette Thayer. Kilbey
also contributed a long untitled poem in the album's liner notes."Hotel Womb" has
dream/nightmare-themed lyrics pertaining to cannibalism.Music videos were filmed for
"Under The Milky Way" and "Reptile."Two songs were used in episodes of the U.S.
television show Miami Vice. "Under The Milky Way" was used in an episode called
"Asian Cut" (aired Jan. 13, 1989), and "Blood Money" was used in "Heart Of Night"
(Nov. 18, 1988)."Under The Milky Way" was featured in 2001 film Donnie Darko.
The song "Reptile" was used in Toy Machine's skate video Suffer the Joy. The song is
used in Matt Bennett's section.A sheet music/guitar tablature book was released for
the entire album by Cherry Lane.
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