Clutching at Straws [Enhanced, Import]

Marillion | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (March 20, 2001)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Enhanced, Import
• Label: 101 DISTRIBUTION
• ASIN: B00004UFTV
• Also Available in: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (13 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #62,309 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Editorial Reviews

On Clutching At Straws, Marillion have a harder, more guitar dominated sound than on Misplaced Childhood. Steve Rothery's guitar work is excellent, even if he borrows heavily from U2's "Gloria" riff in "Just for the Record." The songs are more compact, which suits Marillion's writing style. Despite the more conventional song structure, the band really manage to evoke a variety of moods very effectively. EMI. 2001.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Not quite Misplaced Childhood, But close..., October 4, 2006

By 

Beandog (Clinton, IA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Clutching at Straws (Audio CD)

I have always loved Marillion's music as an escape. The storytelling of the songs and the incredible musicianship have the ability to take you away from whatever may be kicking around in your head. Yes, I am partial to the group's work with Fish over Steve Hogarth - who does a good job in his own right. Fish's lyrics and the way he sings them make you feel the emotion, whether it's anger or sorrow or anything in between. Musically this album probably isn't as diverse as some of their earlier work, but the playing is superb and does not disappoint.

Just like any Marillion album, this one is best when listened to as a whole. Some favorites include: Hotel Hobbies, Warm Wet Circles, That Time Of The Night, Just For The Record, Slainte Mhath and Sugar Mice.

If are a fan of progressive rock or just great storytelling and music, this is a must have. If you are new to Marillion I would suggest; Script For A Jester's Tear, Misplaced Childhood and Clutching At Straws as a good place to start.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Marillion at its best shape., April 1, 2006

By 

Newton Sgobbi (São Paulo, SP Brazil.) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Clutching at Straws (Audio CD)

For me, as good as "Misplaced Childhood" or even better.

Artistic evaluation has obviously some (or much) of subjectivity, but I really changed my opinion on this album after had heard it a couple of times. Conceptual but not boring, played technically near to perfection, and Fish singing with passion. Worth the listening, worth any comparison to other Marillion's outputs.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars 1987, Fish bows out with "heart on his sleeve" classic ..., September 21, 2006

By 

Duke "Duke" (New Zealand) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Clutching at Straws (Audio CD)

Almost 20 years ago since this classic appeared in 1987. The first thing I heard from it was the single "Incommunicado" which I really enjoyed. The album appeared a few weeks later and at the time I really didn't understand a lot of the background about the album, I was however struck by the emotion of the lyrics and Fish's singing was as good as I had ever heard it. There were a number of very emotionally moving songs so beautifully sung by Fish and played by the band (Steve Rothery - Guitar, Mark Kelly - Keyboards, Ian Mosley - Drums and Pete Trewavas - Bass (who would also join up with Mike Portnoy (Dream Theater), Neal Morse (Spock's Beard) and Roine Stolt (Flower Kings) to form a superb "sideline" band called "Transatlantic" in 2001)).

The songs were written in a number of places all around the world (one presumes whilst Fish was with the band on tour) and it feels like Fish was telling a story from place to place about life on the road (eg alcohol and attempts to deal with it and the impact on life - in real time - check out "Just for the record" for starters). I think (when I'm in the "sit down and listen" mood) this is my favourite Marillion album, because it has a feel that is brutally honest, from the heart and sung with passion and 110% emotion (eg check out the opening suite of songs that merge so beautifully together - "Hotel Hobbies" / "Warm Wet Circles" / "That time of the night"), it really moves me like few other albums have (the closest might be Genesis - "Duke" in songs like "Duchess" and "Please don't ask"). Individually the songs are superb ("Sugar Mice" is just stunning), great hooks and melody and when played from start to finish they are just something else, like a book that is so good you just can't put it down.

In summary it's hard to single out any one song, they are all so good and the flow from one to another makes this a very very special album. This was to be Fish's last album with Marillion, he returned as a solo artist in 1990 with the excellent "Virgil in a Wilderness of mirrors".

I find this album to be a truly rewarding listening experience, it has so much emotion. I really enjoy it and hope you do as well.