Clutching at Straws (Mlps) [Import, Original recording remastered]

Marillion | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (November 7, 2005)
• Original Release Date: 2005
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Import, Original recording remastered
• Label: Toshiba EMI Japan
• ASIN: B000AU1O5U
• Also Available in: Audio CD
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #383,108 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Track Listings

1. Hotel Hobbies

2. Warm Wet Circles

3. That Time of the Night (The Short Straw)

4. Going Under

5. Just for the Record

6. White Russian

7. Incommunicado

8. Torch Song

9. Slainte Mhath

10. Sugar Mice

11. The Last Straw: Happy Ending

Editorial Reviews

1987 album for EMI, their final studio album with Fish astheir vocalist. 'Clutching At Straws', which hit #2 in theU.K., features 12 tracks, including the top 10 U.K. smash'Incommunicado' and the top 30 U.K. hits 'Sugar Mice' &'Warm Wet Circles'. --This text refers to an alternate Audio CD edition.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A nice follow-up to Misplaced Childhood, June 20, 2009

By 

Jeffrey J.Park (Massachusetts, USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

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

Clutching at Straws (1987) is a fine follow-up to Misplaced Childhood and is one of my favorites released during the 1983-1988 period. This would be the last studio album with this vocalist however (Derek Dick "Fish"), and is a fine example of how Marillion updated the 1970s progressive rock sound with rock styles popular at the time.

The lineup includes lead singer Derek Dick ("Fish"), Mark Kelly (synthesizers, keyboards, piano), Steve Rothery (guitars), Peter Trewavas (bass guitar), and Ian Mosley (drums and percussion). Joining the group are some female backup singers. The guitarist is decent and while more influenced by American stadium rock than anything else (lots of mildly distorted leads), also seems to favor a heavily chorused sound on his electric. Although the keyboardist primarily uses the digital 1980s synth textures (they are still organic sounding), he does belt out some fairly nimble solos on a synth with a tone color that is reminiscent of the ARP Pro-soloist. There are also some deep bass rumbles here and there that remind me of Taurus pedals. The rhythm section is solid.

The 11 tracks, which present the ruminations of different alcoholics at a bar, bring together aspects of British symphonic pop, American stadium rock, a smidge of Genesis circa 1978-1980, and Wall-era Pink Floyd. As such, the music is very accessible and there are some nice pop melodies. There is also little emphasis on shifting and odd meters-most of this music is in 4/4. While I generally enjoyed the more upbeat tunes, it is the atmospheric moments (Going Under) and the moodier tracks (White Russian) that really hold my attention. Overall, this is the product of a matured band and there is some good ensemble work. This is also the mellowest vocal performance from Fish.

This CD does not feature any extra tracks (there is a remastered version out there for those that are interested). The liner notes feature lyrics, recording credits, and a few "arty" images. The album was produced by Chris Kimsey and the sound quality is generally pretty good.

All in all, this is a good album that is recommended along with the excellent Seasons End (1989) (the first with new singer Steve Hogarth).

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Original Issue, June 26, 2005

By 

JC (MD USA) - See all my reviews

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

Original issue of 1987 classic. Songs include:
1) Hotel Hobbies
2) Warm Wet Circles
3) That Time of the Night (The Short Straw)
4) Going Under
5) Just for the Record
6) White Russian
7) Incommunicado
8) Torch Song
9) Slainte Mhath
10) Sugar Mice
11) The Last Straw
12) Happy Ending

5.0 out of 5 stars Simply one of the best concept albums of all time, June 30, 2010

By 

Clint Potts "Of course, that's just my opinio... (Arizona) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

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

As I sit here listening to Clutching at Straws, by Marillion, I suddenly realize that I've now been listening to this album for the last 24 years. That may well be longer than many of my readers have been alive! Clutching at Straws stands as the best Marillion album of the Fish era. Like most of their albums of that era, it is a concept album, and with only a couple of exceptions, should be listened to as if it were one very long and enjoyable song. From start to finish, this is one of the most listenable concept albums of all time. What is the concept, you may ask? Well, this is similar in concept to many of Marillion's albums--that of the Jester. The Jester finds himself alone in a hotel bar, reflecting his life over the last 15 years and a glass of drambuie. There are regrets of life on the road; one-night stands; loves gone wrong; children left behind as the Jester played his role. Who among us hasn't sheltered a regret over a drink in a bar? If you are a listener of concept albums, you've been there, as this is a ditch we've all dug.

As I've suggested, the best way to appreciate this disc is as one long story, the way Marillion intended. Beginning in the hotel lobby with our Jester and progressing through his memories along with him. The music flows nearly seamlessly from one song to the next, with the exception of "Incommunicado,"--the one track that got any radio attention in the U.S. Primarily, this was for the simple reason that it is one of the only tracks that doesn't slip-cue from one song to the next, making it easy for your typical D.J. to cue up. But I digress.

This album has everything a Marillion fan has come to love. It has soaring guitar work. It has whirling keyboards. It has incredible backup singers. It is tightly mixed, with the occasional sound-effect piece reminiscent of Pink Floyd. And most of all, it has Fish. Say what you will, but Fish was the driving force behind all the the lyrical genius we knew and loved. Try as I might, I haven't seen that spark in their new lead-singer. This album was Fish's last hurrah with the band. And, I think, a fitting end to the story of the Jester who came to life in "Script for a Jester's Tear", oh so long ago. The best work on this album is found between the lyrical passages, where music produced by one of the best prog-rock bands really shines. Witness the transition between "Torch Song" and "Slainte Mhath". The band blends the two songs, moving from the slow and regretful timing of "Torch Song" until the full-on, hard-rocking introduction of "Slainte Mhath" comes pouring out of your surround sound. Oh, if surround sound had only existed when these boys were mixing albums!!! I shudder to think...

Well, the disc just repeated and is starting again! When I tended bar, a customer would always tell me, "One more, then I gotta go." Well, I'm going to listen one more time, then I gotta go. If you are pondering over the "Buy It" button, just hit it and pour another drink. It's going to go down just like that drambuie. Smooth and enjoyable, but with fewer regrets!