Astronauts & Heretics

1992's ASTRONAUTS AND HERETICS was something of a comeback album for Thomas Dolby. In the eight years since his quietly excellent second album, THE FLAT EARTH, Dolby had released only a surprisingly disappointing collaboration with George Clinton ... Full Descriptionunder the name Dolby's Cube, and a substandard experiment in techno-funk, 1988's ALIENS ATE MY BUICK. Though ASTRONAUTS AND HERETICS is credited to the same band, The Lost Toy People, as ALIENS, it gets off on the good foot, returning to the smart, melodic synthpop that made Dolby's name. Dolby even acknowledges his renewed focus by including "Eastern Bloc," a self-described sequel to his first hit single, 1982's "Europa and the Pirate Twins." Other highlights include the effervescent "I Love You Goodbye," and "Cruel," a lovely duet with ex-Fairground Attraction singer Eddi Reader. Recording information: 1992. Personnel: Thomas Dolby (vocals, guitar, piano, organ, keyboards, programming); Eddi Reader (vocals); Larry Treadwell, Jon E. Love, Tommy Gutman Sanchez (guitar); Al Tharp (banjo, background vocals); Jimmy Z (saxophone); Wayne Toups (accordion, background vocals); Jimmy Breaux (accordion); Terry Jackson, Matthew Seligman, Leland Sklar (bass); Budgie, David Owens (drums); Rafael Padilla (percussion); Suzanne Malline, Cynthia Moliere, Teresita Alsander, Mr. Pits, Loz Netto, Marcus Wallis, Laura Creamer, Mike Kapitan (background vocals). Personnel include: Thomas Dolby (vocals, keyboards); Eddie Van Halen, Jerry Garcia, Ofra Haza, Bob Weir. Entertainment Weekly (11/6/92, p.67) - "...his best album yet...this catchy little jewel has vision to spare..." - Rating: A- Musician (2/93, p.91) - "...its well-crafted tunes and streamlined technopop sound make it more than respectable...Thomas Dolby's still got plenty of ideas..."