A greatly matured Thomas Dolby highlights his melodic tendencies on Astronauts & Heretics. Containing more personal moments enhanced by his love for technology, such tracks as "Cruel," which features a stunning Eddi Reader, and "Eastern Bloc (the sequel)" help listeners connect with bits of the past forwarded into the future. "Eastern Bloc (the sequel)" even takes its rhythmic sense from the old Johnny Otis tune, "Willie and the Hand Jive," before it comes into its own. "Silk Pajamas" has a unique pastiche of sound to it and also a very memorable tune to go along. While nothing here appeared to catch fire with the public at the time, Astronauts & Heretics is still a fine testament to Dolby's continuing maturity. Time sometimes must catch up to foresighted performers. Astronauts & Heretics is just such a case. ~ James Chrispell, All Music Guide
Michael Doucet (Fiddle), Michael Doucet (Vocals (Background)), Michael Doucet (?), Michael Doucet (Cajun Fiddle), Wayne Toups (Vocals (Background)), Wayne Toups (Cajun Accordian), Ofra Haza (Vocals), Thomas Dolby (Organ), Thomas Dolby (Synthesizer), Thomas Dolby (Piano), Thomas Dolby (Composer), Thomas Dolby (Guitar (Rhythm)), Thomas Dolby (Keyboards), Thomas Dolby (Programming), Thomas Dolby (Vocals), Thomas Dolby (Producer), Thomas Dolby (Engineer), Thomas Dolby (Main Performer), Jerry Garcia (Guitar), Bob Weir (Guitar (Rhythm)), Brian Jackson (Design), Jimmy Z. (Saxophone), Loz Netto (Vocals (Background)), Jimmy Breaux (Accordion), Jimmy Breaux (Cajun Accordian), Eddi Reader (Vocals), Eddi Reader (Performer), Elaine Anderson (Engineer), Elaine Anderson (Assistant Engineer), Jay Baumgardner (Engineer), Jay Baumgardner (Assistant Engineer), Jay Baumgardner (Mixing), Mary Coller (Producer), Mary Coller (Executive Producer), Jill Colucci (Vocals (Background)), Laura Creamer (Vocals (Background)), John Cutler (Engineer), John Cutler (Assistant Engineer), Chuck Fedko (Engineer), Chuck Fedko (Assistant Engineer), Paul Gommersall (Engineer), Steve Himelfarb (Engineer), Steve Himelfarb (Assistant Engineer), Terry Jackson (Bass), Mike Kapitan (Programming), Mike Kapitan (Speech/Speaker/Speaking Part), Jon Klein (Guitar), John E. Love (Guitar), Greg Marchant (Engineer), Greg Marchant (Assistant Engineer), Doug Michael (Engineer), Doug Michael (Assistant Engineer), Mr. Pits (Vocals (Background)), Mr. Pits (?), David Owens (Drums), Charles Paakkari (Engineer), Rafael Padilla (Percussion), Robert Read (Engineer), Robert Read (Assistant Engineer), Phil Reynolds (Engineer), Phil Reynolds (Assistant Engineer), Tommy Gutman Sanchez (Guitar), Matthew Seligman (Bass), Matthew Seligman (Fretless Bass), Squeak Stone (Engineer), Squeak Stone (Assistant Engineer), Al Tharp (Banjo), Al Tharp (Vocals (Background)), Al Tharp (?), Larry Treadwell (Guitar), Larry Treadwell (Guitar (Rhythm)), Larry Treadwell (Slide Guitar), Eddie Van Halen (Guitar), Mark Wallis (Vocals (Background)), Teresita Alsander (Vocals (Background)), Suzanne Malline (Vocals (Background)), Cynthia Moliere (Vocals (Background)), Jon E. Love (Guitar), Leland Sklar (Bass), Larry Vigon (Art Direction), Larry Vigon (Design), Budgie (Drums), Joyce Tenneson (Photography), Paul Gomarsall (Engineer)
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