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Astronauts & Heretics | ||||
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Studio album by | ||||
Released | 27 July 1992 | |||
Genre | ||||
Length | 43:16 | |||
Label | ||||
Producer | Thomas Dolby | |||
Thomas Dolby chronology | ||||
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Singles from Astronauts & Heretics | ||||
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Review scores | |
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Source | Rating |
AllMusic | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
Billboard | positive [2] |
Entertainment Weekly | A− [3] |
NME | 5/10 [4] |
Astronauts & Heretics is the fourth studio album by English new wave/synth-pop musician Thomas Dolby, released in 1992. It was Dolby's last studio album until 2011's A Map of the Floating City and his last album to be released as a vinyl LP.
The album was met with some success in the UK. However, according to Dolby, the album went largely unnoticed in the US due to poor distribution by Giant Records and the popularity of grunge at the time.
After asking Dolby for help with his studio equipment, Eddie Van Halen agreed to play guitar on two songs on the album: "Eastern Bloc" and "Close but No Cigar", including a Van Halen-style solo on the former.
There were also several other guests including drummer Budgie of Siouxsie and the Banshees.
The music video for "Silk Pyjamas" was filmed on location in Cuba.
All tracks are written by Thomas Dolby, except where noted.
No. | Title | Writer(s) | Length |
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1. | "I Love You Goodbye" | 5:58 | |
2. | "Cruel" | 3:08 | |
3. | "Silk Pyjamas" | 3:38 | |
4. | "I Live in a Suitcase" | 5:29 | |
5. | "Eastern Bloc ("Europa and the Pirate Twins Part II")" | 5:19 | |
6. | "Close but No Cigar" | 4:27 | |
7. | "That's Why People Fall in Love" | 5:28 | |
8. | "Neon Sisters" | Thomas Dolby, Matthew Seligman | 4:54 |
9. | "Beauty of a Dream" | 5:04 | |
Total length: | 43:16 |
Musicians
Technical
Chart (1992) | Peak position |
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Australian Albums (ARIA) [5] | 123 |
UK Albums (OCC) [6] | 35 |