Clutching at Straws [Import]

Product Description
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.

Clutching at Straws,Marillion,Rock/Pop

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Clutching at Straws [Import]

Average customer rating: A CD Whose Songs Have Multiple Meanings The Last with Fish El Mejor Album De Marillion (Gran Despedida de Fish) The best catch of the fish ! Not quite Misplaced Childhood, But close...

Clutching at Straws Marillion ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | British Alternative | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music General | Rock | Styles | Music Progressive Rock | Progressive | Rock | Styles | Music General | Hard Rock & Metal | Styles | Music Hard Rock | Hard Rock & Metal | Styles | Music Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music Alternative Rock | Imports | Stores | Music Rock | Imports | Stores | Music Similar Items: Misplaced Childhood Script for a Jester's Tear Marbles Brave The Thieving Magpie (La Gazza Ladra) ASIN: B00004UFTV Release Date: 2001-03-20

Tracks:

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

Album Description

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:

A CD Whose Songs Have Multiple Meanings.......2007-05-23

CLUTCHING AT STRAWS, Marillion's last CD with Fish on lead vocals, is an album whose songs have multiple meanings. The obvious theme of the album is that alcohol, or any vice, simply numbs you but doesn't get rid of what's going on around you, and that sooner or later, you have to face the reality of what's happened to you or is happening. It is this interpretation that led to my decision to choose cranberry juice over wine for certain Jewish prayers at holiday times, and to put pictures of pretty actresses in my wallet to help me ward off the urge to overindulge in even the most harmless vices.

But this album has another meaning as well. Being that Fish left the band right after the tour to support it, it could be seen, as ALLMUSIC GUIDE said, as Fish saying that the band is, in his mind, not only over, but is, as far as he's concerned, null and void. This meaning, for me, is how I feel regarding my old school, as I have pictures of numerous actresses on my wall as a deterrent to going to food-related reunions there. In other words, this is also a CD about letting go of the past.

Thus, it can be fairly said that CLUTCHING AT STRAWS is actually saying a lot of things, and not just one thing. This CD will give you a reason to believe that looking good for your significant other and/or your favorite celebrity sometimes means letting go of the past, even if it sometimes feels safer to hold on.

The Last with Fish.......2007-05-08

Marillion's last CD with FISH on vocals falls just short of the level they attained with Misplaced Childhood, but not by much. In true prog-rock fashion, the first few tracks slip seamlessly into one another. Incommunicado is the liveliest track, on par with Market Square Heroes and for a long time was met with as much exuberance in the live shows as that original Marillion anthem. The content of most of the songs deals with the introspective view of Fish (or his alter ego), drinking too much (Torch Song), dealing with fame (Incommunicado) and waxing melancholic over lost loves (Sugar Mice) and watching others lose love and get confused by it (At That Time of the Night and Warm Wet Circles). The band give a political warning shot over their view of rising anti-semitism with White Russian. As always, the CD is a powerful musical journey though perhaps too solemn or depressing for some.

El Mejor Album De Marillion (Gran Despedida de Fish).......2006-10-31

SIN LUGAR A DUDAS, LAS EXPECTATIVAS DESPUES DEL GRAN EXITO DE "MISPLACED CHILDHOOD", ERAN SIN DUDA LA CONSAGRACION DE "MARILLION" COMO LA MEJOR BANDA SURGIDA EN LOS 80'S, Y LA ESPERA VALIO LA PENA, REGRESANDO CON SU MEJOR TRABAJO HASTA ESE MOMENTO, Y EL TIEMPO NOS DARIA LA RAZON DEMOSTRANDO QUE SERIA SU MEJOR OBRA DE TODOS LOS TIEMPOS, UN TRABAJO CONCEPTUAL QUE COMIENZA CON "HOTEL HOBBIES", PASANDO POR "WARM WET CIRCLES" Y "THAT TIME OF THE NIGHT", NO SOLO LLEVANDO UNA CONTINUIDAD EN LA HISTORIA QUE EL GRAN MAESTRO DEREK WILLIAM DICK (MEJOR CONOCIDO COMO "FISH" )NOS RELATA A TRAVES DE SUS VIAJES E INCURSIONES EN LA OBRA DE ALGUNOS AUTORES COMO KERUAC, SINO A TRAVES DE LOS SONIDOS CASI MAGICOS DE CADA UNO DE LOS INSTRUMENTOS DE ESTOS CUATRO VIRTUOSOS, QUE NOTA A NOTA, JUNTO CON CHRIS KIMSEY EN LA PRODUCCION, PARECEN HABER PULIDO ESTA OBRA MAESTRA PARA PERMANECER INTACTA EN SUS ARREGLOS AL PASO DE LOS AÑOS, NO DEJA DE ASOMBRARNOS; HASTA LLEGAR A "SUGAR MICE" Y "HAPPY ENDING" CON UNA RIQUEZA MUSICAL QUE HASTA EL DIA DE HOY NO ME CANSO DE ESCUCHAR DESDE PRINCIPIO A FIN,DESDE ESE SEPTIEMBRE DE 1987 HASTA LA FECHA MI ALBUM FAVORITO DE TODOS LOS TIEMPOS,... Y HACE 25 AÑOS QUE VIVO ENGANCHADO EN ESTE FABULOSO MUNDO DE LA MUSICA Y ESTE GENERO LLAMADO ROCK EN TODAS SUS FACETAS. ¡GRACIAS MARILLION Y GRAN DESPEDIDA A FISH!

The best catch of the fish !.......2006-10-17

I have been a die-hard Marillion fan since thier misplaced chilhood album.
When this follow-up album was released a year later I don't think anyone knew what to expect. Clutching at straws is the best of the early days of Fish and mMarillion. An album that really captures Fish in his last days writing from a more personal viewpoint and maybe even a pre-warning that he wasn't happy.
This album takes you on a story of the hardships of the working class and the political upheave of times. Not one of Marillion's most happy moments recordingwise, this album stands as my Favorite from the Fish days and in the top 3 of best Marillion albums of all time.
This album to put it simply got me through college. It holds alot of memories and twenty years later still must be held in my top ten best albums ever made in all of music since the dawn of man.
It's a five stars, must have, don't pass on,order today kind of record.

Not quite Misplaced Childhood, But close..........2006-10-04

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.

Average customer rating: A Fish with a heart First record is required listening, second is a great transition document. A masterpiece Fish bows out with "heart on his sleeve" masterpiece An Island Unto Themselves

Clutching at Straws Marillion Manufacturer: EMI Int'l ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | British Alternative | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music General | Rock | Styles | Music Progressive Rock | Progressive | Rock | Styles | Music General | Hard Rock & Metal | Styles | Music Hard Rock | Hard Rock & Metal | Styles | Music Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music Alternative Rock | Imports | Stores | Music Rock | Imports | Stores | Music Similar Items: Misplaced Childhood Brave Misplaced Childhood Season's End Holidays in Eden ASIN: B00000IGO5 Release Date: 1999-05-18

Tracks:

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

Tracks:

1. Incommunicado (Alternative Version)
2. Tux On
3. Going Under (Extended Version)
4. Beaujolais Day (Previously Unreleased)
5. Story From A Thin Wall (Previously Unreleased)
6. Shadows On The Barley (Previously Unreleased)
7. Sunset Hill (Previously Unreleased)
8. Tic-Tac-Toe (Previously Unreleased)
9. Voice In The Crowd (Previously Unreleased)
10. Exile On Princes Street (Previoulsy Unreleased)
11. White Russians (Demo-Previously Unreleased)
12. Sugar Mice In The Rain (Previously Unreleased)

Album Description

24 bit digitally remastered reissue of the hit prog rockgroup's 1987 album for EMI, complete with a bonus CDfeaturing 12 rare tracks & CD-ROM material. 'Clutching AtStraws', their final album with Fish as vocalist, reached #2in the U.K. & contains 12 tracks, including the U.K. top 10smash 'Incommunicado' and the U.K. top 30 hits 'Sugar Mice'& 'Warm Wet Circles'. The extra disc has 'Incommunicado'(Alternative Version), 'Tux On', 'Going Under' (Extended Version) and nine previously unreleased recordings, 'Beaujolais Day', 'Story From A Thin Wall', 'Shadows On The Barley', 'Sunset Hill', 'Tic-Tac-Toe', 'Voice In The Crowd', 'Exile OnPrinces Street', 'White Russians' (Demo) & 'Sugar Mice In The Rain'. A combined total of 24 tracks. Double slimline jewel case. 1999 release.

Album Details

CD 2 Includes Rarities, & Unreleased Tracks.

Customer Reviews:

A Fish with a heart.......2007-07-04

This is a very fine Marillion album indeed. It is without fail my favorite and one of my top 10 or desert island discs if you will. Derek Dick AKA Fish sings with as much heartfelt passion as you will ever hear.I can't listen to this without wondering how Marillion would have proggessed if he had stayed with the band. Both he and the band have gone on to produce some fine works but this was their finest hour.

First record is required listening, second is a great transition document........2006-07-22

Marillion have always been unique in the field of the good ol' Music Everyone Loves To Hate, i.e. progressive rock. While initially derivative of the genre's 1970s canons -- and this was arguably part of their appeal (*Gimme that old sound again!*) -- they gradually evolved and mutated to tighter song forms, propelled more and more by Steve Rotheray's guitar rather than Mark Kelly's keyboards, Fish's lyrics always firmly grounded in reality, avoiding the genre's (usually) characteristic gobbledygook and psychobabble while remaining literate and complex. "Clutching At Straws" is where this process reaches its climax, with outstanding musicianship and song lyrics by all parties involved. This is possibly one of the darkest albums ever written and played, dealing with the usual trappings of stardom: life on the road, excesses, ultimate loneliness and alienation in the middle of a crowd. Fish's take on the subject, though, is original and full of real-life scenes one can actually visualize and feel a connection with. (The warm wet circles, the woman staring at a brochure. Or try finding an image like "Uzis on a street corner" in a Yes record.) "Clutching At Straws" is probably the best Fish-era Marillion record because of its down-to-earthness. Also, not a single guitar solo or drum roll is gratuitous; Rotheray and the band never play to show off, every note is essential to the songs.
The second record, with the "missing tapes" from the last months of Fish's tenure in the band, is very interesting even though the songs it contains are basically "sketches", not even demos, just reminders for the basic structure of ideas for a new album. There's an exception and it's "Story From A Thin Wall", which is the music from "Berlin" pretty much all mapped out with the lyrics from "Family Business" pretty much all mapped out. The rest of these sketches, in various parts and pieces, were recycled for Marillion's first album with Steve Hogarth and Fish's first solo. They're brilliant historical documents as they shed light on the different combination of talents: Rotheray, Kelly, Trewavas and Mosley, then Fish, and then -- in retrospect -- Steve Hogarth, who has since proven to be an intelligent and worthy replacement by virtue of bringing his own take on the music while never trying to ape his predecessor. It doesn't happen often in music. Makes me curious what might have happened if Marillion, as Mark Kelly says in the liner notes, had taken some time off to recharge the creative batteries thus avoiding the inevitable split. It's one of those pointless exercises that make listening to music more fun.

A masterpiece.......2006-07-14

I cannot say enough about how much I love Marillion's Clutching at Straws. If i was ever stranded on a desert island, i would be perfectly happy if this was the only record I'd be stuck with for the rest of my life.

The songs are crafted brilliantly, Fish's lyrics about alchoholism are backed by the bands tightly polished musicianship. This album is 100% class and was the catalyst to Marillion finally shedding that dreaded "Progressive" stigma.

You can read other's reviews for in depth analysis of the songs themselves - but for me - as a whole - this CD is probably one of my favorite pieces of music.

Fish bows out with "heart on his sleeve" masterpiece.......2006-02-03

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.

An Island Unto Themselves.......2005-07-15

Marillion is one of rock's great undiscovered treasures, and it would almost be a shame for that to change at this point. Though they've been in existence for nearly 25 years and released 13 studio albums, they've never approached a real commercial breakthrough in the U.S. Yet their shows here sell out, their appearances here are events, and their U.S. fanbase is as tightly bound as any collection of Deadheads, a devout and diverse brethren who revel in their select citizenship on one of progressive music's little-known islands.

For the uninitiated, "Clutching At Straws" is an historically relevant and musically accessible place to dive into the pool and test the water. Released in 1987, this was Marillion's 4th album, and their last with the original singer, Fish. By '89 Steve Hogarth was manning the mike. Hogarth has gone on to lead the band far longer than his predecessor, yet there is a contingent of fans who cling to the "real" Marillion; Fish's Marillion. While I don't take it this far, I find this brand of devotion easy to understand whenever I revisit this album.

List most of Marillion's work, "Clutching At Straws" is conceptual. Expanding the theme of growing up too fast that was at the core of 1985's "Misplaced Childhood," "Straws" examines the trappings of adulthood, responsibility, and the temptation to drown one's sorrows. The sleeve-art depictions of multiple artists who died young (including John Lennon, Dylan Thomas, and Lenny Bruce) would suggest that "Straws" is about the excesses of success, but a close listen to Fish's lyrics reveals an everyman story; the guy 'in his cups' at the end of the bar could be a millionaire, or he could be an out-of-work government employee; alcoholism isn't picky.

From a musical standpoint, Marillion is definitely prog; complex and interweaving. Don't let that scare you away. This isn't musical showing off or shapeless wandering. What has always set Marillion apart in the prog universe is their adherence to song form and their ability to write beautiful music; some of it sad, some of it haunting, some of it heavy, all of it easy to love. Try this album, then try 1994's "Brave" as an introduction to the Hogarth era. That way, you will have heard (in my opinion) the best of both worlds, and you can decide for yourself if you want to take sides. Myself, I like the whole island.

Notes on the remaster: This is out of print now, but it's worth tracking down. The bonus disc contains the seeds of material that would later end up on "Season's End" or in Fish's solo work. Plus it contains a different version of "Going Under" and also "Tux On," a very cool track originally available only as a B-side.

Average customer rating: Great album, too bad Fish left Eye opening Sugar Mice worth the price End of an Era Another timeless classic

Clutching at Straws Marillion Manufacturer: Sanctuary UK ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | British Alternative | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music General | Rock | Styles | Music Progressive Rock | Progressive | Rock | Styles | Music General | Hard Rock & Metal | Styles | Music Hard Rock | Hard Rock & Metal | Styles | Music Progressive | Rock | Indie Music | Stores | Music British Alternative | Alternative Rock | Indie Music | Stores | Music Alternative Rock | Imports | Stores | Music Rock | Imports | Stores | Music Similar Items: Misplaced Childhood ASIN: B00004NRUO Release Date: 2000-07-11

Tracks:

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. Last Straw: Happy Ending

Album Description

24 bit digitally remastered reissue of the hit prog rock group's 1987 album, complete with a bonus CD featuring 12 rare tracks & CD-ROM material. This was the last album recorded with the original line-up, and the end of the 'Fish Era'. Bonus tracks, 'Incommunicado' (Alternative Version), 'Tux On', 'Going Under' (Extended Version), and the following previously unreleased tracks, 'Beaujolais Day', 'Story From A Thin Wall', 'Shadows On The Barley', 'Sunset Hill', 'Tic-Tac-Toe', 'Voice In The Crowd', 'Exile On Princes Street', 'White Ru ssians' (Demo) and 'Sugar Mice In The Rain'. 1999 release. Slimline double jewel case.

Customer Reviews:

Great album, too bad Fish left.......2007-05-25

This is a classic album, unfortunately I discovered them in college after Fish left the band,. I got hooked on this album and ended up buying the others,. I ended up naming my daughter Kayleigh as a tribute to that time and the discovery of something wonderfull. Each song has a special tone that defines this band and what a great band it was at the time. Even now when i get an occasional break, i enjoy listening to them and this album in particular.

Eye opening.......2004-11-01

This CD is rich in mood, deep in thought and emotion and ultimately depressing. Still, it has kept my attention for 17 years and remains an incredible work of music.

Sugar Mice worth the price.......2004-08-17

Steve's solo sends shivers down my spine. The album as a whole is great, but no guitarist should miss this solo - it's the absolute epitomy of playing for the song.

End of an Era.......2003-05-04

Unfortunately, this was the last Marillion featuring lead singer Fish. It is a modern prog classic, filled with songs that challenge and offer insight, but does not fall into the murky waters of endless noodlerific soloing. The trouble with prog is that sometimes the musicians look at every composition as an opportunity to show you how [insert superlative here] they can play. This trap is neatly avoided here. The music is wonderful, the songs seem to blend together to form one coherent musical statement, and the introspective (and apparently semi-autobiographical) lyrics haunt the listener with tales of addiction, longing, and a life spiraling out of control. Not the most upbeat of albums, but still mesmerizing and beautiful. After this album, Fish and the rest of the band parted ways, and unfortunately, neither one has been able to recapture the brilliance of this album (although solo Fish has fared much better then the flaccid Fish-less Marillion (Brave notwithstanding)).

Another timeless classic.......2002-08-28

This is a great album. I dont think it is as personal or powerful as Childhoods End but is just as dynamic and emotional. I have just started on my Fish era collection and this is another classic!

Average customer rating: one of their best... remastered sound is amazing VAYA FINAL The Final Act with Fish - A Superb One! Supertramp meets early Genesis... Fish's Final Hurrah...

Clutching at Straws Marillion Manufacturer: Sbme Castle Us ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | British Alternative | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music General | Rock | Styles | Music Progressive Rock | Progressive | Rock | Styles | Music General | Hard Rock & Metal | Styles | Music Hard Rock | Hard Rock & Metal | Styles | Music Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music ASIN: B00005UKM1 Release Date: 2002-01-22

Tracks:

1. HOTEL HOBBIES
2. WARM WET CIRCLES
3. THAT TIME OF THE NIGHT
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

Tracks:

1. INCOMMUNICADO
2. TUX ON
3. GOING UNDER
4. BEAUJOLAIS DAY
5. STORY FROM A THIN WALL
6. SHADOWS ON THE BARLEY
7. SUNSET HILL
8. TIC-TAC-TOE
9. VOICE IN THE CROWD
10. EXILE ON PRINCES STREET
11. WHITE RUSSIANS
12. SUGAR MICE IN THE RAIN

Customer Reviews:

one of their best... remastered sound is amazing.......2006-01-20

I recently rediscovered Marillion after having collected their Fish era discs as they were released in the eighties. The music holds up really well, and "Clutching At Straws" is probably the strongest of the band's first four studio discs (the other contender being "Misplaced Childhood").

It is worth the investment to pick up this two disc remastered set. The first disc contains the orginal album, and the sound is vastly improved. Instruments are sharply defined, vocals and sound effects stunningly clear. The bonus disk includes a few remixed or demo versions of Clutching songs, along with some decent outtakes from this period. Of particular interest are a couple of songs that would go on to be used on Marillion's following album ("Season's End"). Hearing Fish sing songs eventually done by Steve Hogarth on "Season's End" makes you wonder what the band would have been like if they would have taken and year off and then refined this material with Fish still on board.

The liner notes include fascinating reflections on this period from band memeber and others involved in the project.

VAYA FINAL.......2005-03-11

Nostalgico recordar este album como el último de la era Fish, nadie podía adivinarlo. Sin embargo, el cierre del ciclo creo que fue excelente, así que los afortunados que tenemos este CD tenemos la oportunidad de escucharlo cada ocasión que nos plazca, aquí no hay oportunidad ni cabida para el silencio, eso será en otra ocasión. Así que como decía otro poeta musical: Don't let it end ¡¡¡

Saludos desde Guanatos. Mork

The Final Act with Fish - A Superb One!.......2004-12-24

I believe it's never easy for a band the return to studio after an album with such a success and acclamation as 1985' masterpiece "Misplaced Childhood" had. Marillion were no exception to that. As the big poet tells on the booklet, he had a different view from the rest of the band about the course Marillion should take from then on. As an ultimate consequence of this disunion never solved, Fish would take the decision to leave the band during the "Clutching At Straws" promotion tour. Joining these facts with Fish's difficult period at the time ("And my advise is if you maintain this lifestyle, you won't reach 30" - as Dr. Finlay warns in the "Torch Song"), it's even more significant that their fourth studio album resulted so perfectly, at the same level of quality as their previous 3 original studio records.
Back in the year of release (1987), it was not difficult for Marillion to get the proper promotion everywhere. "Incommunicado", the 1st single that came out of the album, marked my entrance to their music - making it eternally special for me. Not the traditional Marillion sounding but with Fish's sense of humour well present on the lyrics - and also on the video.
The sequence of the first 3 tracks, Hotel Hobbies - Warm Wet Circles - That Time of the Night, is in my opinion the best opening of a Marillion album. Warm Wet Circles is in fact one of the most beautiful songs I've ever known in my life... just as "Sugar Mice". Lyrics with such sensitivity and power only a few can match with, and music at the same level of accomplishment. "White Russian", "Slainte Mhaht" and "The Last Straw" can also be gathered by the lyrics' direction - an expression of Fish's discontent over different aspects of the society. All these 3 songs are great and resulted very well live. "Going Under" and "The Torch Song" can also be gathered but for one sad reality on Fish's life those days - the alcohol among other things. "Just For The Record" is the only song I don't rate at the same level of all others.
Finally, one last thing: the 2CDs special version is highly recommended in this case, with lots of previously unreleased material from the band I enjoy the most.

Supertramp meets early Genesis..........2004-11-29

This reissue was originally released in 1987 and was Marrillion's final album before the departure of their original lead singer Fish. Excellent prog-rock that sounds like a cross between Supertramp and early Genesis, although with a heavier sound. Beautifully produced by Chris Kimsey their sound is nicely complimenting by Fish's vocals which sounds like a cross between Peter Gabriel, Phil Collins and Pete Townshend. The strongest tracks are "That Time of the Night", "White Russian", "Incommunicado" with it's Rick Wakeman like keyboards, and the best song is "The Last Straw" with a stunning guitar solo by Steve Rothery and a fitting close to Fish's membership in the band. They are also great lyricists and my favorite line is "If you want my address, its #1 at the end of the bar" from a song called "Sugar Mice".

The CD includes a 28 page booklet with some great photos and lyrics. There are also some pretty extensive and intelligent liner notes by various members of the band, the engineer and even the album cover illustrated. The focus of the notes is on the making of the album and the departure of Fish with lots of stories about sex, drugs, alcohol and life on the road with Queen, Motorhead and Kajagoogoo. There is also a bonus disk with a dozen outtakes from this and future Marrillion and Fish albums.

Fish's Final Hurrah..........2004-06-16

There was a huge amount of pressure in the Marillion camp to top the worldwide success of the "Misplaced Childhood" effort. In band fighting, egotism and large amounts of drugs and alcohol didn't make for a very healthy environment for the recording process of "Clutching at Straws". What was created though is what I would consider to be Marillion's most stunning cd. You could really tell where Fish was at that point in his life as many of the songs are about alcohol abuse and excessive drinking. "Going Under" and "Torch Song" are great examples of this. But there are some other excellent tunes on this cd including "Sugar Mice" and "White Russian". A darker Marillion effort but I think their most focused effort. The bonus disk is actually outakes from the follow-up effort they had started working on after Clutching. Though the quality of the 2nd cd is not great the song writing still is and if this had been put out as the next cd it probably would have been another top-notch effort from Fish and company. Fish left after "Clutching" and the rest is bridge under the water. Don't cheat yourself. Spend the extra cash and get the 2 cd set.

Average customer rating:

Clutching at Straws Marillion Manufacturer: Phantom Sound & Vision ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music ASIN: B0000DERNT Release Date: 1996-11-21

Album Description

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'.

Average customer rating:

Clutching at Straws Marillion Manufacturer: Toshiba EMI Japan ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Rock | Styles | Music Progressive Rock | Progressive | Rock | Styles | Music General | Hard Rock & Metal | Styles | Music Hard Rock | Hard Rock & Metal | Styles | Music Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music Rock | Imports | Stores | Music ASIN: B000AU1O5U Release Date: 2005-11-07

Tracks:

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. Last Straw: Happy Ending

Album Description

Japanese remastered pressing of the 1987 album comes in a miniature LP sleeve. EMI. 2005.

Average customer rating:

Clutching At Straws Keith Glass , and Mick Hamilton ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD ASIN: B000MEWO8K

Product Description

1 The State Of Love 2 The Sword and the Cross 3 God, Country and My Baby 4 People Like That 5 Are We There Yet? 6 Living A Lie 7 I Only Miss Her (When I Think Of Her) 8 In Black 9 Gone But Not Forgotten 10 Do What You Gotta Do 11 Cold and Lonely Trail 12 Look Away Now 13 Takeaway Love 14 The Sword and the Cross (Live acoustic version) 15 Clutching At Straws 16 Bonus

Average customer rating: Original Issue one of the best disc mixing the music and clever lyrics SECOND BEST MARILLION RECORD The last of Marillion`s horsepower. One Of Marillion's Best

Clutching at Straws Marillion Manufacturer: Musicrama/Koch ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | British Alternative | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music Progressive Rock | Progressive | Rock | Styles | Music Alternative Rock | Imports | Stores | Music Rock | Imports | Stores | Music ASIN: B000003PJ1 Release Date: 1995-08-03

Album Description

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'.

Customer Reviews:

Original Issue.......2005-06-27

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

one of the best disc mixing the music and clever lyrics.......1999-07-15

For the people in spanish language, this title is a complete discovery, aa expirience that you can learn slowly while you ear it in a long time. First you have that amazing music and in the other hand you have a clever, deeper and darkness lyrics that you always learn something new or find out something new. Sure you can enjoy it for the rest of your life.....

SECOND BEST MARILLION RECORD.......1999-02-16

THIS IS THEIR SECOND BEST ALBUM . THE BEST FROM FISH'S ERA. HOWEVER FOR THOSE WHO ENJOYED THIS BE SURE TO CHECK OUT 'BRAVE' (1995?) THIS WAS THE BEST MARILLION (HOGARTH) ALBUM . WAS THE START OF THEIR SAD DEMISE

The last of Marillion`s horsepower........1998-10-14

While this was the last of the fish era..and in my opinion the last of the true Marillion I do not believe it to be the best intro album for new comers.True it is full of Great tracks but I dont believe it to be a truly good example of what Marillion is about and may lead to diappointment when the lessoner moves on to older albums with more of a on-going theme. (the taking away of fish from Marillion was like the taking away of David Lee Roth from Van Halen)I think that Misplaced childhood is a much more friendly entry for new comers and it will be a good avenue to move in either direction. (I started on Fuguzi if you can believe that..a true love them or hate them album) All in all a great band but one that you will like a little more at each session...you will not love this band the first setting and if you do you need to go get a better sound system because you missed a lot of music in there..... p.s. is it me or does the new singer sound like the singer from the band Trimph???

One Of Marillion's Best.......1998-07-19

This album is my second-favourite Marillion, and quite possibly, my second-favourite of all time. The lyrics are a bit dark, but nonetheless paint a pretty accurate picture of life on the road. When introducing friends to Marillion, this is one of the albums I give them. Slainte Mhath and Incommunicado seem to be the hands-down favourites in my small circle of friends and Marillionites. All in all, a fitting and successful swan song for Fish, who will be forever missed as Marillion's front man.

"I'm of two minds, and both of them are out of it at the bar."

Average customer rating:

Clutching at Straws Marillion Manufacturer: Musicrama/Koch ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD ASIN: B0000DEMJF Release Date: 1999-05-11

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Rap Music

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