Astronaut (Duran Duran album)

Last updated

Astronaut
Duran Duran - Astronaut.png
Studio album by
Duran Duran
Released28 September 2004 (2004-09-28)
Recorded2001–2004
StudioSphere (London)
Genre
Length49:52
Label Epic
Producer
Duran Duran chronology
The Singles 1986–1995
(2004)		Astronaut
(2004)		 Red Carpet Massacre
(2007)
Singles from Astronaut
  1. "(Reach Up for The) Sunrise"
    Released: 30 August 2004
  2. "What Happens Tomorrow"
    Released: 18 January 2005
  3. "Nice"
    Released: 2005

Astronaut is the eleventh studio album by English rock band Duran Duran. It was released on 28 September 2004 by Epic Records. It was Duran Duran's first studio album since Pop Trash (2000), and the first (and to date, last) full album since Seven and the Ragged Tiger (1983) to be recorded by the most famous five-member lineup of the band (the stand-alone 1985 single "A View to a Kill" was their last studio recording together).

Contents

Astronaut received mixed reviews from critics but was nevertheless a commercial success, peaking at number 3 on the UK Albums Chart to become the band's highest-charting album in the UK since Seven and the Ragged Tiger in 1983. The album also peaked at 17 on the U.S. Billboard 200 and reached the top ten in six other countries.

In 2021, the band signed a deal for the album with BMG (along with Medazzaland , Pop Trash and Red Carpet Massacre) which saw it being re-issued in the UK on various digital platforms. [1]

Critical reception

Professional ratings
Aggregate scores
SourceRating
Metacritic 52/100 [2]
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar empty.svgStar empty.svg [3]
The Austin Chronicle Star full.svgStar full.svgStar empty.svgStar empty.svgStar empty.svg [4]
Billboard Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar half.svgStar empty.svg [5]
Encyclopedia of Popular Music Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar empty.svgStar empty.svg [6]
Entertainment Weekly B [7]
The Guardian Star full.svgStar full.svgStar empty.svgStar empty.svgStar empty.svg [8]
Los Angeles Times Star full.svgStar full.svgStar half.svgStar empty.svg [9]
NME Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar empty.svgStar empty.svgStar empty.svgStar empty.svgStar empty.svg [10]
Rolling Stone Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar empty.svgStar empty.svg [11]
Uncut Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar empty.svgStar empty.svg [12]

Astronaut was met with "mixed or average" reviews from critics. At Metacritic, which assigns a weighted average rating out of 100 to reviews from mainstream publications, this release received an average score of 52 based on 17 reviews. [2]

In a review for AllMusic, Andy Kellman wrote: "Even with a handful of forgettable songs beyond that, the album is easily the best one credited to the Duran Duran name since 1993's Wedding Album ." [3] Matt Dentler of The Austin Chronicle called the album an "overproduced synth shuffle", going on to say "With too many songs trying too hard, Duranies will still go hungry for quality." [4]

Commercial performance

Astronaut debuted at number three on the UK Albums Chart and at number 17 on the US Billboard 200, with similar top-20 debuts elsewhere in the world. Meanwhile, the CD/DVD set debuted at number one on the Billboard Top Music Video chart. The album peaked at number 29 in Japan.[ citation needed ]

The first single, "(Reach Up for The) Sunrise", was released in the US on 30 August 2004 and in the UK on 4 October 2004. [13] [14] It debuted at number five on the UK Singles Chart. In late November, it topped the Billboard Hot Dance Club Play chart.[ citation needed ]

The second single, "What Happens Tomorrow", was released on 18 January 2005 in the US and on 31 January 2005 in the UK. [15] [16]

Astronaut has been certified "Gold" in the UK for sales of over 100,000 copies. It was certified Gold in Italy. As of 2008, it had sold around 260,000 copies in the US. [17]

Track listing

All tracks are written by Duran Duran

No.TitleProducer(s)Length
1."(Reach Up for The) Sunrise"
3:27
2."Want You More!"
3:39
3."What Happens Tomorrow"
  • Gilmore
  • Duran Duran
4:06
4."Astronaut"
  • Austin
  • Duran Duran
3:26
5."Bedroom Toys"
  • Duran Duran
  • Gilmore [b]
  • Rodgers [b]
3:53
6."Nice"
  • Gilmore
  • Duran Duran
3:28
7."Taste the Summer"
  • Duran Duran
  • Gilmore
3:55
8."Finest Hour"
  • Gilmore
  • Duran Duran
3:57
9."Chains"
  • Gilmore
  • Duran Duran
4:48
10."One of Those Days"
  • Austin
  • Duran Duran
3:47
11."Point of No Return"
  • Duran Duran
  • Rodgers
4:59
12."Still Breathing"
5:59
Japanese edition bonus track
No.TitleLength
13."Virus"4:07

Notes

Personnel

Credits adapted from the liner notes of Astronaut. [18]

Duran Duran

Additional musicians

  • Mark Tinley – programming (track 12)
  • Lily Gonzalez – additional percussion (tracks 3, 8, 12)
  • Guy Farley – string arrangement (tracks 3, 8, 12)
  • Sally Boyden – background vocals (track 1)
  • Tessa Niles – background vocals (tracks 4, 5, 7)
  • Jason Nevins – additional programming (track 1)

Technical

  • Duran Duran – executive production, production
  • Don Gilmore – production (tracks 1–3, 6–9); additional production (tracks 5, 12); engineering (tracks 1–3, 5–9, 12)
  • Nile Rodgers – vocal production (track 1); additional production (track 5); production (track 11)
  • Dallas Austin – production (tracks 2, 4, 10), engineering (tracks 4, 10)
  • Mark Tinley – pre-production, engineering (track 12)
  • Jeremy Wheatley – mixing at Townhouse Studios, London
  • Leon Zervos – mastering at Sterling Sound, New York City
  • Rich Hilton – Pro Tools, engineering (track 11)
  • Daniel Mendez – Pro Tools, additional engineering (tracks 1–3, 5–9, 12)
  • Rick Sheppard – Pro Tools, additional engineering (tracks 4, 10)
  • Francesco Cameli – engineering assistance (tracks 1–3, 5–9, 12)
  • Richard Edgeler – engineering assistance (tracks 4, 10)
  • Dean Barratt – engineering assistance (track 11)
  • Jason Nevins – additional recording (track 1)

Artwork

  • Kristian Schuller – cover photography
  • Richard Haughton – guitar photography
  • FAILE – art
  • Clarissa Tossin – art
  • Sean Hogan – art
  • Bernie Beca – art
  • Patty Palazzo – art
  • John Warwicker – creative direction, graphics remix
  • Sara Syms – graphic art

Charts

Chart (2004)Peak
position
Australian Albums (ARIA) [19] 22
Austrian Albums (Ö3 Austria) [20] 27
Belgian Albums (Ultratop Flanders) [21] 40
Belgian Albums (Ultratop Wallonia) [22] 35
Canadian Albums (Billboard) [23] 9
Czech Albums (ČNS IFPI) [24] 53
Danish Albums (Hitlisten) [25] 8
Dutch Albums (Album Top 100) [26] 17
European Albums ( Billboard ) [27] 4
French Albums (SNEP) [28] 87
German Albums (Offizielle Top 100) [29] 23
Greek International Albums (IFPI) [30] 6
Irish Albums (IRMA) [31] 38
Italian Albums (FIMI) [32] 2
New Zealand Albums (RMNZ) [33] 29
Scottish Albums (OCC) [34] 5
Swedish Albums (Sverigetopplistan) [35] 41
Swiss Albums (Schweizer Hitparade) [36] 21
UK Albums (OCC) [37] 3
US Billboard 200 [38] 17

Certifications

RegionCertification Certified units/sales
United Kingdom (BPI) [39] Gold100,000^

^ Shipments figures based on certification alone.

Release history

RegionDateFormatLabelCatalog
United States28 September 2004 LP Epic E2 92900
United Kingdom11 October 2004 CD 517920 8
CD+DVD EPC 517920 3
United States12 October 2004CDEK 92900
CD+DVDEK 93463
South Korea15 October 2004CD Sony CPK 3348 (517920.6)
Cassette CPT-3348 (517920.4)
Japan20 October 2004CDEICP 426
CD+DVDEICP-424-5
United States29 March 2005 DualDisc EpicEN 93512
20 December 2005SACD82876761752

Related Research Articles

<i>Duran Duran</i> (1993 album) 1993 studio album by Duran Duran

Duran Duran is the seventh studio album and the second self-titled album by English rock band Duran Duran. It was released on 15 February 1993 by Parlophone.

<i>Big Thing</i> (Duran Duran album) 1988 studio album by Duran Duran

Big Thing is the fifth studio album by English rock band Duran Duran. It was released on 17 October 1988 by EMI Records. Produced by the band, Jonathan Elias and Daniel Abraham, it continued the sonic musical change the band explored with their previous album Notorious (1986).

<i>Thank You</i> (Duran Duran album) 1995 studio album by Duran Duran

Thank You is the eighth studio album by English rock band Duran Duran. It was released on 27 March 1995 by Parlophone. Consisting of cover versions, the album performed moderately on the charts, reaching number 12 on the UK Albums Chart and number 19 on the US Billboard 200, but received negative reviews from critics.

<i>The Singles 1992–2003</i> 2003 greatest hits album by No Doubt

The Singles 1992–2003 is a greatest hits album by American rock band No Doubt, released on November 14, 2003, by Interscope Records. It features 13 of the band's singles from three studio albums—Tragic Kingdom (1995), Return of Saturn (2000), and Rock Steady (2001)—and the single "Trapped in a Box" from their 1992 self-titled debut album. The album also included a cover of Talk Talk's 1984 song "It's My Life", the only new song on the album and which was released as a single. It was released alongside the DVD Rock Steady Live, a video of a concert as part of the band's Rock Steady tour in 2002, and the box set Boom Box, which contained The Singles 1992–2003, Everything in Time, The Videos 1992–2003, and Live in the Tragic Kingdom.

<i>Welcome to the Monkey House</i> (album) 2003 studio album by The Dandy Warhols

Welcome to the Monkey House is the fourth studio album by American rock band The Dandy Warhols. The album was recorded between September 2001 and December 2002, and released on May 5, 2003 through record label Capitol.

<i>Medazzaland</i> 1997 studio album by Duran Duran

Medazzaland is the ninth studio album by English rock band Duran Duran. It was released on 14 October 1997 by Capitol Records. The album was never officially released physically in Europe until 2022, and was solely released in North America, Latin America and Japan. It reached number 58 on the Billboard 200 and number 66 on RPM's albums chart.

<i>Pop Trash</i> 2000 studio album by Duran Duran

Pop Trash is the tenth studio album by English rock band Duran Duran. It was released on 19 June 2000 by Hollywood Records. Pop Trash was the band's first release after parting ways with EMI, with whom they had been signed since 1981. It was also the last to feature the trio of Simon Le Bon, Nick Rhodes and Warren Cuccurullo. The CD album went out of print in 2001.

<i>Sams Town</i> 2006 album by the Killers

Sam's Town is the second studio album by American rock band the Killers. It was released on September 27, 2006, by Island Records. Regarding the album, frontman Brandon Flowers noted that he "wanted to create an album that captured, chronologically, everything important that got me to where I am today". Sam's Town has sold almost five million copies worldwide.

<i>Red Carpet Massacre</i> 2007 studio album by Duran Duran

Red Carpet Massacre is the twelfth studio album by English rock band Duran Duran, released on 13 November 2007 by Epic Records. Most of the music on the final incarnation of the album was completed in late 2006 following the departure of band member Andy Taylor with new guitarist Dominic Brown replacing him, when record producer Timbaland began working with the band. "Falling Down" was the only single released from the album.

<i>All You Need Is Now</i> 2010 studio album by Duran Duran

All You Need Is Now is the thirteenth studio album by English rock band Duran Duran. Produced by Mark Ronson, a truncated version of the album was released digitally on 21 December 2010. A physical package was released on 21 March 2011 in Europe on the Tape Modern label, and on 22 March 2011 in the United States and Canada on S-Curve Records.

<i>La Futura</i> 2012 studio album by ZZ Top

La Futura is the fifteenth studio album by American rock band ZZ Top, released on September 8, 2012. It is the band's first album in nine years, following Mescalero, and peaked at number 5 on the Billboard "Top Rock Albums" chart. La Futura is also the last studio album released in bassist Dusty Hill's lifetime.

<i>The Desired Effect</i> 2015 studio album by Brandon Flowers

The Desired Effect is the second studio album by American singer-songwriter and The Killers frontman Brandon Flowers. It was released on May 15, 2015, by Island Records. It was produced by Ariel Rechtshaid and Flowers and mixed by Alan Moulder. The album debuted at number one on the UK Albums Chart, becoming Flowers' second solo number-one album and sixth overall.

<i>Paper Gods</i> 2015 studio album by Duran Duran

Paper Gods is the fourteenth studio album by English rock band Duran Duran, released on 11 September 2015 by Warner Bros. Records. The album was produced by Mr Hudson and Joshua Blair, who had worked with the band on All You Need Is Now (2010) and A Diamond in the Mind: Live 2011 (2012); Nile Rodgers, who had previously first worked on the band's "The Reflex", his remixed version reaching number one, "The Wild Boys" single and Notorious album, and Mark Ronson, who produced All You Need Is Now. The first single, "Pressure Off", features vocals from American singer Janelle Monáe. The album was supported by the Paper Gods on Tour.

<i>Delirium</i> (Ellie Goulding album) 2015 studio album by Ellie Goulding

Delirium is the third studio album by English singer and songwriter Ellie Goulding, released on 6 November 2015 by Polydor Records. Music critics were generally impressed by the overall production of the record, although they were ambivalent in regards to its originality. It debuted at number three on the UK Albums Chart and the US Billboard 200, earning Goulding her highest-charting record in the latter country and her highest first-week sales figures in both territories. The album spawned three singles: "On My Mind", "Army" and "Something in the Way You Move".

<i>Defy</i> (album) 2018 studio album by Of Mice & Men

Defy is the fifth studio album by American rock band Of Mice & Men. It was released on January 19, 2018, through Rise Records. The album was produced by Howard Benson and is the follow-up to the group's fourth album, Cold World (2016). This is the first album to feature Aaron Pauley as the sole lead vocalist following the departure of Austin Carlile, who left the band in late 2016 due to health issues. It sold 9,400 copies in the US in its first week.

<i>No.6 Collaborations Project</i> 2019 studio album by Ed Sheeran

No.6 Collaborations Project is the fourth studio album by English singer-songwriter Ed Sheeran. It was released on 12 July 2019 through Asylum and Atlantic Records. The album compiles tracks which include collaborations from Khalid, Camila Cabello, Cardi B, Chance the Rapper, PnB Rock, Stormzy, Yebba, Justin Bieber, Travis Scott, Eminem, 50 Cent, Young Thug, J Hus, Ella Mai, Paulo Londra, Dave, H.E.R., Meek Mill, A Boogie wit da Hoodie, Skrillex, Chris Stapleton, and Bruno Mars. It is a sequel to Sheeran's 2011 compilation extended play, No. 5 Collaborations Project.

<i>You</i> (James Arthur album) 2019 studio album by James Arthur

You is the third studio album by British singer-songwriter James Arthur. Released on 18 October 2019, it spawned the singles "Naked", "Empty Space", "Falling Like the Stars", "Treehouse", "Finally Feel Good", "You", and "Quite Miss Home". Arthur embarked on the You – Up Close and Personal tour in North America from 13 September 2019 to 23 September 2019 and was on the UK You – Up Close and Personal tour until 29 October 2019. The album debuted at number two on the UK Albums Chart.

<i>Heartbreak Weather</i> 2020 studio album by Niall Horan

Heartbreak Weather is the second studio album by Irish singer Niall Horan, released through Capitol Records on 13 March 2020. It was promoted with four singles: "Nice to Meet Ya", "Put a Little Love on Me", "No Judgement" and "Black and White".

<i>Future Past</i> (Duran Duran album) 2021 studio album by Duran Duran

Future Past is the fifteenth studio album by English rock band Duran Duran, released on 22 October 2021. It is the band's first album to be released through BMG, and their first since 2015's Paper Gods six years prior.

<i>Danse Macabre</i> (Duran Duran album) 2023 studio album by Duran Duran

Danse Macabre is the sixteenth studio album by English rock band Duran Duran. It was released on 27 October 2023 through BMG and Tape Modern. A Halloween-themed album, the record includes three new tracks, covers and reimagined versions of older Duran Duran material. Former guitarists Andy Taylor and Warren Cuccurullo appear, making their first appearances on a Duran Duran LP since 2004's Astronaut and 2000's Pop Trash, respectively. Nile Rodgers and Victoria De Angelis of Måneskin also feature as guest artists.

References

  1. ↑ "Duran Duran's Medazzaland is officially available in the UK for the very first time | superdeluxeedition".
  2. 1 2 "Astronaut Reviews, Ratings, Credits, and More at Metacritic". Metacritic . Retrieved 25 April 2012.
  3. 1 2 Kellman, Andy. "Astronaut – Duran Duran". AllMusic . Retrieved 10 April 2021.
  4. 1 2 Dentler, Matt (26 November 2004). "The Austin Chronicle Review". The Austin Chronicle . Retrieved 10 April 2021.
  5. ↑ "Duran Duran: Astronaut". Billboard . 23 October 2004. Archived from the original on 13 November 2004. Retrieved 10 April 2021.
  6. ↑ Larkin, Colin (2011). The Encyclopedia of Popular Music (5th concise ed.). Omnibus Press. ISBN   978-0-85712-595-8.
  7. ↑ Brod, Doug (15 October 2004). "Astronaut Review". Entertainment Weekly . Retrieved 25 April 2012.
  8. ↑ Lynskey, Dorian (1 October 2004). "Duran Duran: Astronaut". The Guardian . Retrieved 31 August 2017.
  9. ↑ "Duran Duran: Astronaut". Los Angeles Times . 31 October 2004.
  10. ↑ Fitzpatrick, Rob (12 September 2005). "Duran Duran: Astronaut". NME . Archived from the original on 3 March 2012. Retrieved 31 August 2017.
  11. ↑ Pratt, Sarah (28 October 2004). "CD Review – Duran Duran – Astronaut". Rolling Stone . Archived from the original on 4 November 2004. Retrieved 25 April 2012.
  12. ↑ "Duran Duran: Astronaut". Uncut . November 2004. p. 120.
  13. ↑ "Going for Adds". Radio & Records . No. 1570. 27 August 2004. p. 17.
  14. ↑ "New Releases: Singles". Music Week . 2 October 2004. p. 33.
  15. ↑ "Going for Adds". Radio & Records. No. 1589. 14 January 2005. p. 21.
  16. ↑ "New Releases: Singles". Music Week. 29 January 2005. p. 31.
  17. ↑ Caulfied, Keith."Ask Billboard". Billboard . 4 January 2008.
  18. ↑ Astronaut (liner notes). Duran Duran. Epic Records. 2004. 517920 8.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  19. ↑ "Australiancharts.com – Duran Duran – Astronaut". Hung Medien. Retrieved 15 January 2019.
  20. ↑ "Austriancharts.at – Duran Duran – Astronaut" (in German). Hung Medien. Retrieved 15 January 2019.
  21. ↑ "Ultratop.be – Duran Duran – Astronaut" (in Dutch). Hung Medien. Retrieved 15 January 2019.
  22. ↑ "Ultratop.be – Duran Duran – Astronaut" (in French). Hung Medien. Retrieved 15 January 2019.
  23. ↑ "Duran Duran Chart History (Canadian Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved 15 January 2019.
  24. ↑ "Oficiální česká hitparáda IFPI ČR – 43. týden 2004". Marketing & Media (in Czech). 22 October 2004. Archived from the original on 15 January 2019. Retrieved 15 January 2019.
  25. ↑ "Danishcharts.dk – Duran Duran – Astronaut". Hung Medien. Retrieved 15 January 2019.
  26. ↑ "Dutchcharts.nl – Duran Duran – Astronaut" (in Dutch). Hung Medien. Retrieved 15 January 2019.
  27. ↑ "Hits of the World". Billboard. Vol. 116, no. 44. 30 October 2004. p. 41. ISSN   0006-2510 . Retrieved 15 January 2019– via Google Books.
  28. ↑ "Lescharts.com – Duran Duran – Astronaut". Hung Medien. Retrieved 15 January 2019.
  29. ↑ "Offiziellecharts.de – Duran Duran – Astronaut" (in German). GfK Entertainment Charts. Retrieved 15 January 2019.
  30. ↑ "Top 50 Ξένων Άλμπουμ" [Top 50 Foreign Albums] (in Greek). IFPI Greece. 21–27 November 2004. Archived from the original on 27 November 2004. Retrieved 19 January 2019.
  31. ↑ "Irish-charts.com – Discography Duran Duran". Hung Medien. Retrieved 30 December 2019.
  32. ↑ "Italiancharts.com – Duran Duran – Astronaut". Hung Medien. Retrieved 15 January 2019.
  33. ↑ "Charts.nz – Duran Duran – Astronaut". Hung Medien. Retrieved 15 January 2019.
  34. ↑ "Official Scottish Albums Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 15 January 2019.
  35. ↑ "Swedishcharts.com – Duran Duran – Astronaut". Hung Medien. Retrieved 15 January 2019.
  36. ↑ "Swisscharts.com – Duran Duran – Astronaut". Hung Medien. Retrieved 15 January 2019.
  37. ↑ "Official Albums Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 15 January 2019.
  38. ↑ "Duran Duran Chart History (Billboard 200)". Billboard. Retrieved 15 January 2019.
  39. ↑ "British album certifications – Duran Duran – Astronaut". British Phonographic Industry. 15 October 2004. Retrieved 15 January 2019.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.