To me, the (synth) strings are the same category as in Ticket To Heaven, meaningwise. I think this one is the meanest, most evil song on the album. False sweetness, fake feelings he sings about seems to be the moment they come up with this string idea. If you read the lyrics you will see what I mean.
I would say it is sort of a spin-off song from Basil, Basil revisited so to say. The copy boy from Basil has grown up and became a hard cynical journalist. Melodywise it is not that similar, but the mood is the same.
I needed a few times before this one started to grow on me but it is very good indeed.
LE