Duran Duran - Astronaut (With Bonus DVD)
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Free Music Notes for Astronaut (With Bonus DVD)
Free Music Review: An 80's sound in a new millenium
Hit: 5 Stars
I'm one of those who like DD not for the singles they released, but for the pure talent on there tracks. Songs like "Too Late Marlene","My Antarctica", and there wonderful rendition of "Lay Lady Lay". I honestly can't say I like the last couple of albums too well. Then enter Astronaut with the original line-up. First, lets comment on the 2 Taylors and why they were needed on the album. Andy has brought back that guitar sound that is Duran Duran. He adds just the right touch to the album. No overuse here like Warren and his contributions were. Roger coming back is like putting icing on a cake. Also the right amount of drum. This album is one of those that you actually want to buy for ALL the tracks, not a flavor of the week throw away with only one good song. No Chumba-Wumba effect here. The musical content alone would sell this album. If you have a good system, check out the bass coming from "SUNRISE".John never sounded better. Listen to tracks like "NICE" and "ASTRONAUT" And you swear your listening to a rip off riff from "Girls On Film", but in this case its a good thing. Alot of artists will put out an album and almost all the tracks sound like the other. This is annoying, and DD are guilty of this on there first album. But this one seems like it was done ON PURPOSE in just the right way. It sounds like an 80's DD album funked up and modernized. So far I like 9 out of 12 tracks. The album is also a very FUN album. You can't help but listen to all the tracks. Its too bad MTV went and dissed DD. The band MADE MTV. Who are they to say anything. THEY DON'T EVEN PLAY MUSIC ON MTV ANYMORE.I'm not talking about oldies either. I'm talking about REAL MUSIC. An occasional Maroon 5 or Nickelback video here and there is good, but the rest of the programming stinks. DD has come back and in my opinion comeback BIG, with an album of superb quality. This band should be appreciated not for there contribution to the 80's, but for there contribution to the actual ART of music. They are the greatest band EVER.Free Music Review: Bonus pack pleases this long-time fan
Hit: 5 Stars
I'm not one of those on-again, off-again Duran fans. I've stuck with them through the turbulent times since the breakup of the original Fab Five, and I proudly keep albums like Medazzaland and Pop Trash in my collection. The iterations of Duran Duran with fewer and different members have still been excellent, but they did have a somewhat different sound.
Astronaut takes us back to where it all began. Simply put in 80s terms, this album is awesome. The first single, "Sunrise", is probably the most like the classic Duran Duran sound. But it's clear from the music that the boys have grown up, giving their music a more mature edge. "What Happens Tomorrow" is an absolutely beautiful song, highlighting Simon Le Bon's distinctive voice (which is still powerful and beautiful 20 years later). From the rocking "Want You More!" to the mellow "Nice", this album has a great range of songs to please any fan.
This particular issue of Astronaut includes a bonus DVD -- 45 minutes of mini-documentary and live performances. The DVD, subtitled "Live at Wembley 2004", follows the boys around backstage and gives us a glimpse of how they settle back into the spotlight together. At only 45 minutes, of course it wasn't enough. The editing was a bit jarring at times, because it's a cut-down version of an upcoming longer documentary.
The DVD also includes full concert versions of "Sunrise" and "What Happens Tomorrow" from the new album, as well as classics "Hungry Like the Wolf", "New Religion" and "Wild Boys". A brilliant menu feature, this DVD lets you watch the full documentary or just the songs, and you can also skip straight to any of the songs. The last item on the DVD is the somewhat cheesy video for "Sunrise". Even though the documentary felt way too short, it was still a very enjoyable peek at the band, and it's fascinating to see how some of them grown older (John Taylor? More attractive. Nick Rhodes? Eerily hasn't aged.)
Free Music Review: Extra DVD is fun and worth the investment
Hit: 5 Stars
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.
Free Music Review: They're Back, and as Good as Ever
Hit: 5 Stars
Well, it finally happened. The original five got back together and decided they ought to try making another great album. And it worked.
Right off the bat, "(Reach Up for the) Sunrise" announces Astronaut as classic Duran Duran pop. I'm definitely not a morning person, but this is a good song to help me get my lazy butt out of bed. "Astronaut" is another good upbeat track. It's tough to slog around and be lazy when listening to these songs.
There are some good downbeat songs as well, which will mollify fans of songs like "Save a Prayer." "What Happens Tomorrow," "Still Breathing," "Chains," and "One of Those Days" are all good examples of time-honored Duran Duran moodiness.
One minor surprise is the blatantly seductive "Bedroom Toys." It sounds as if Prince sat in on the studio session here and provided some advice. It is easy to envision LeBon, Rhodes, and the three Taylors wearing velvet robes and gold necklaces while listening to this song. A little scary at first, but fun.
But the best song on the album, I believe, is "Nice." It's positively infectious, a fast-paced, elated song about how much fun it is to fall in love. Everything just "works" in this song: lyrics, tempo shifts, and good use of all four musicians and Simon LeBon's voice. This is Duran Duran at their best, equal to any of their past material.
This is a better comeback album than any Duran Duran fan could have asked for. It's addictive in the very best way and fits a number of moods. There will be those people who knock this album automatically, but I guarantee you they never liked any Duran Duran songs in the first place. In other words, if you liked Duran Duran in the past -- especially their best work such as the Wedding Album and Rio -- you will be very happy with Astronaut.
Free Music Review: The Original Duran Duran Releases It's Best Cd In 20 Years!
Hit: 5 Stars
After 20 plus years, the original members of Duran Duran re-unite and release their best album in well over a decade. Simply titled "Astronaut", this cd is a pleasant surprise from some rather lackluster past 90's albums which included just several original Duran Duran members (Simon LeBon and Nick Rhodes). This cd combines elements of funk, pop 80's new wave and some slow songs. The cream of the crop for 80's new wavers is the hit "(Reach Up For The) Sunrise", "Want You More", "What happens Tomorrow", "Astronaut", "Nice", "Taste The Summer" and "Point Of No Return". The funky rap "Bedroom Toys" showcases Andy Taylor's catchy guitar chords and Simon LeBon's creative rap. If Queen can do it with "Another One Bites The Dust" and Blondie with "Rapture" so can Duran Duran. There a three downtempo songs in "Finest Hour", "Chains", "Still Breathing" all of which are melodic and showcase LeBon's vocals. The bonus dvd includes songs from the Duran Duran "Live At Wembley" concert ("Hungry Like The Wolf", "Wild Boys", "(Reach Up For The) Sunrise" plus more. The band sounds as good now as it did in their heyday. There's also the video of "(Reach Up For The) Sunrise" and interviews and behind-the-scenes footage of the band. The packaging of this limited edition version of "Astronaut" is attractive until you open the booklet that houses the cd and dvd. For some strange reason the booklet is cut in the center. Rather stupid idea on someone's part! The cd and dvd almost lie on top of one another which is also poor packaging. Luckily my cd wasn't scratched from rubbing on the top of the dvd. If you are a Duran Duran fan or were a lover of the eighties new wave movement that spawned such other great bands such as Spandau Ballet, Ultravox, Tears For Fears, ABC and The Human League then this cd will not disappoint. Highly Recommended!