Astronauts & Heretics

Thomas Dolby | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (September 26, 2006)
• Original Release Date: 1988
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Collectables Records
• ASIN: B000HT2M14
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  Audio Cassette  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (21 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #148,382 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Track Listings

1. I Love You Goodbye

2. Cruel

3. Silk Pyjamas

4. I Live in a Suitcase

5. Eastern Bloc

6. Close But No Cigar

7. That's Why People Fall in Love

8. Neon Sisters

9. Beauty of a Dream

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Thomas Gone Cajun !, December 7, 2000

By 

Armando M. Mesa (Chandler, AZ) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Astronauts & Heretics (Audio CD)

Bravo Mr. Dolby !... This project has proved to be one of his most introspective and warmest recordings. For those fans who did not take a liking to this album are making a big mistake. This is a more mature sounding Dolby leaving most of the '80s cold-synth pop material behind (Come on guys, he can't record material like She Blinded Me With Science forever)...This time the man takes you on a vacation to New Orleans-cajun country style with I Love You Good Bye and Silk Pajamas. The sweet simplicity of a piped-keynote of Cruel injects just the right amount of tranquility or transition before the Cajun cookin' partying sound of Silk Pajamas.The track of the weary traveller called I Live In A Suitcase is a more retro synthesized sound rekindling his earlier Age Of Wireless period.The opening drum portion of the sequel track to Europa and the Pirate Twins bears an uncanny resemblance to Bow Wow Wow's I Want Candy hit from the early days of MTV!

With or without the guest appearances by various artists I still would have purchased the c.d.;It is just that good !

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Not Your Usual Dolby -- Mellow, Melodic and Enjoyable, November 21, 2006

By 

Todd and In Charge (Miami, FL) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: Astronauts & Heretics (Audio CD)

I recently listened to this again, after having placed it near the back of my Dolby playlist --- way behind The Flat Earth, my favorite Dolby album.

But this album sounds fresh and refreshing some 15 years after its initial release. Dolby seems to have matured and found his melody in his songwriting again -- "I Love You Goodbye" is immediately memorable, as is "Silk Pyjamas." "I Live in a Suitcase" has that plaintive, classic Dolby sound -- a companion piece to "Mulu," perhaps. These tracks all work.

In sum, this is a mellow, melodic Dolby, who has abandoned the punchy, techno sound and embraced Cajun-inflected, rootsy songwriting that is at once both enjoyable and memorable. The entire album has a serene, gentle tone that I found very enjoyable.

I had no idea so many guest stars appear on this record, which to me indicates it works -- there is nothing showy or out of place with their contributions (Eddie V.H. notwithstanding). I'm surprised and a bit disappointed this is out of print, though it appears plenty of copies remain available.

If you are a Dolby fan, there is no reason not to pick this up at the bargain prices currently available.

6 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars From Strength to Strength., March 17, 2000

By 

Jason Stein (San Diego, CA United States) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Astronauts & Heretics (Audio CD)

Thomas Dolby has always managed to put out interesting and sophisticated recordings over the years. Beginning with 1982's The Golden Age of Wireless to 1984's The Flat Earth to 1988's Aliens Ate My Buick to 1994's The Gate to the Mind's Eye he as shown himself to be one of my favorite enigmas. Only known to most people as the guy who did "She Blinded Me With Science" and "Hyperactive", he has done much more than that. I think with 1992's Astronauts and Heretics he found gold. 9 songs that make a classic recording. From the opening track "I Love You Goodbye" to "Cruel" to "Silk Pyjamas" to "I Live in a Suitcase" to the sequel to Europa and the Pirate Twins to "Close But No Cigar" to "That's Why People Fall in Love" to "Neon Sisters" to the final track, "The Beauty of a Dream" Thomas shows his ingenuity and virtuosity. I've been waiting six years for something new, but I'm sure it will be well worth the wait. Astronauts and Heretics is a must have for any rock collector.