Astronauts & Heretics

Astronauts & Heretics
Studio album by
Released27 July 1992
Genre
Length43:16
Label
ProducerThomas Dolby
Thomas Dolby chronology
Aliens Ate My Buick
(1988)
Astronauts & Heretics
(1992)
A Map of the Floating City
(2011)
Singles from Astronauts & Heretics
  1. "Close But No Cigar"
    Released: 27 April 1992
  2. "I Love You Goodbye"
    Released: 29 June 1992
  3. "Silk Pyjamas"
    Released: 14 September 1992
Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic
Billboardpositive
Entertainment WeeklyA−
NME5/10

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.