Astronaut is the first Duran Duran album to feature all five original members since 1984. From the opening track ‘(Reach Up For The) Sunrise’ it’s like the ’90s never happened. Unfortunately, they did, rendering the Durannies’ glamorous brand of cod-romanticism a mite redundant for a while, until such intellectuals as Justin Timberlake, the Scissor Sisters and Snoop Dog (I joke not) started naming them as major influences.
But while there’s nothing on this newie to replace ‘Rio’ or ‘Girls On Film’, there’s a style and depth in both the production and performances to make it worth watching Top Of The Pops again.
‘Want You More’ is full of bleeps and beats from which few toes will remain immune for long. For ‘Taste The Summer’ it’s probably too late to be the hit it could have been, while the lengthy ‘Still Breathing’ and ‘Point Of No Return’ might have done with some astute editing to curb bouts of over-indulgence. ‘Nice’ is just that, ‘What Happens Tomorrow’ is a slower and heavier ballad/anthem and ‘Bedroom Toys’ is naughtily funky with girly voices handling the sauntering catwalk intro.
So there it is. They’re back, almost as if they’d never been away. Can’t wait for the videos though.