For those that only recall "Hungry Like the Wolf" and all the countless songs Duran Duran had on the radio, one can easily forget how different, unique and innovative a band like Duran really was in the early 1980s. Duran Duran was no doubt the first "new romantic" or "new wave" outfit that bands today like The Killers, Franz Ferdinand, The Strokes, The Bravery, Interpol and the like are influenced by/imitating with a great degree of success. (Who said the '80s were never cool? The joke is on them now!)

This album, the first new material by the original lineup of Duran Duran since 1985's #1 single "A View to a Kill", showcases both elements of Duran Duran-the early dark, brooding and eerie "new romantic" sound they mastered on their first and second albums (and heard here on "Still Breathing", "Point of No Return" and "Chains") as well as the masterful pop music found on their third album and all of their singles (heard here on a plethora of tracks, most notably "Sunrise", "Want You More", "Finest Hour" and "Nice"). The sleeper classic on this album is "What Happens Tomorrow", the album's second single which continues to gain traction at radio. The relevance of the Duran sound has been vindicated by the current rush of today's top acts to say Duran Duran was an influence. The songs on ASTRONAUT sound as fresh and vibrant as their original body of work.

Duran Duran are indeed a talented and instrumentally gifted outfit. The rhythm section of Roger Taylor (drums) and John Taylor (bass) are at long last getting their dues for the true talent they possess. Andy Taylor is an underrated guitarist who shines with both his delicate, atmospheric tones and the more urgent and rocking sounds displayed on this album, and Nick Rhodes does just the same thing, only with keyboards. Finally, Simon LeBon is perhaps the most brash and over the top front man since Mick Jagger, and the fact that his voice sounds better than ever is a testament to the quality of the band in 2005.

You like The Killers? You like the rush of "new wave" influenced music currently underway? ASTRONAUT is simply the originators doing what they do best and holding their own in today's fickle music market.

Highly recommended.

(The bonus DVD is quite a treat: it is 45 minutes long and features behind the scenes footage of the band on the road, highlighting one of their 5 sold out nights at Wembley in London in 2004. Live songs performed in their entirety include: "Sunrise", "Hungry Like the Wolf", "What Happens Tomorrow", "New Religion" and "The Wild Boys". A full length concert CD/DVD package is to follow in 2005.)

(...)

I've been a fan of Duran Duran since about 1984, and have a complete collection of cds (as well as many worn-out cassettes). I'm one of probably very few people who know the words to all of the songs on 'Liberty.' Duran Duran is the one band I never get tired of, and I've never heard one of their songs that I actually dislike. Some are better than others, but there's not one that I hate.

Five of the songs on 'Astronaut' are now among my very favorites. 'Astronaut' is at least as good as 'Rio.' I don't really want to know, though I can certainly guess, what exactly they're talking about in the title song, but it is now my very favorite of all DD songs. Go fig. I've been listening to this cd over and over during my commute and though I must've heard it at least a hundred times now I'm still not tired of it.

If you're a classical DD fan, you'll love 'Astronaut.' If you don't know anything about DD, try it out as an antidote to the canned crap that currently floods the airwaves.

I have to say that my opinions on this album have changed over the course of time. First I didn't care much for most of the songs. Then I loved them all. Now I only like about half of the album. I feel like I'm finally settled into an opinion. I do appreciate the album as a day in the life. Lead singer Simon LeBon claimed that he would have liked to have opened with Still Breathing and ended with Sunrise because to him that's the way the day goes. I wish they'd gone with his idea. I would have liked that. But still, it's a great concept album, one of their best as far as themes go, right up there with Rio.

Songs that stick out for me are Finest Hour, Chains, Point of No Return and Still Breathing. They all come during the last half of the CD. I also like Astronaut which I would prefer as a third single over the one most people seem to love (Nice). Taste the Summer grew on me as well but I particularly like the very end when it fades off. And then Finest Hour picks up. It's the perfect seque, as the album moves on into the evening hours. Chains and Still Breathing are the best songs, I believe. Chains has a sort of country, swampy feel to it. Still Breathing is a very touching song.

The DVD is of Duran Duran in concert and backstage. Songs they play live include "What Happens Tomorrow" with the missing bridge that they cut for the album, "New Religion", "Hungry Like the Wolf", "Sunrise", and more.

There is a special magic that comes from the combination of these 5 men. This album reflects a more mature perspective on life and music. The songs are more meaningful than before, and cover a range of emotions. It's as good as Rio, if not better. They seem to be having a great time playing together again, and it comes through in their music. I'm listening to it over and over again.

The DVD has footage, on-stage and behind the scenes, of their triumphant Wembly shows in 2004. It is a preview of the full DVD to arrive in May. It contains several songs and the video for Sunrise.

Definitely worth the money.

This version of "Astronaut" features an additional DVD disc with 5 live tracks recorded at Wembley Arena in December 2003 along with a pretty cool "On the Road" type documentary and an art book of band member scrawls. Well worth having in addition to the CD if you are a fan of the band at all. DVD runs about an hour. My favorite scene: John Taylor looking down the hall at a group of girls and complaining that his new, clean-living lifestyle "is killing me, actually."

Original Review of the CD:

3 years in the making and many fans of the band thought it might never get released, but at last "Astronaut" is here and it's a 5-star blast. From the opening drumbeats of "(Reach Up For The) Sunrise" to the last lilting synth strains of "Still Breathing", Nick, Simon, Roger, John, and Andy show us what we've been missing all of these years. "Astronaut" is an almost relentless barrage of up-tempo electro pop tunes fully brimming with potential hit singles. "Sunrise", "What Happens Tomorrow", and the title track are sure to hit the charts high, with "Astronaut" being the potential "Reflex" smash hit of the album. "Want You More!", "Nice", and "Taste The Summer" are all songs that could be hits if they didn't have so much competition on this record. True to form, the band slow things down on the backside of the CD, but that doesn't mean a drop in quality. "Finest Hour" is a 9/11 inspired tune that takes it's title from a famous WWII speech by Winston Churchill. "Chains" is one of the strongest melodic tunes on the album and "One of Those Days" features Le Bon in top vocal form. Only "Point of No Return" and the quirky "Bedroom Toys" disappoint, but they are still quite listenable. We're a long way from "Seven And The Ragged Tiger" here, but I must say the journey has been worth it. Just don't make us wait another 20 years for the next one, guys.