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Track Listings
| Disc: 1 | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. Hotel Hobbies (1999 Digital Remaster) | |||
| 2. Warm Wet Circles (1999 Digital Remaster) | |||
| 3. That Time Of The Night (The Short Straw) (1999 Digital Remaster) | |||
| 4. Going Under (1999 Digital Remaster) | |||
| 5. Just For The Record (1999 Digital Remaster) | |||
| 6. White Russian (1999 Digital Remaster) | |||
| 7. Incommunicado (1999 Remaster) | |||
| 8. Torch Song (1999 Digital Remaster) | |||
| 9. Slainte Mhath (1999 Digital Remaster) | |||
| 10. Sugar Mice (1999 Digital Remaster) | |||
See all 11 tracks on this disc
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| Disc: 2 | |||
| 1. Incommunicado (Alternative Version) (1999 Digital Remaster) | |||
| 2. Tux On (1999 Digital Remaster) | |||
| 3. Going Under (Extended Version) (1999 Digital Remaster) | |||
| 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 | |||
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See all 12 tracks on this disc
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Product Description
Amazon.co.uk Review
After the commercial breakthrough of Misplaced Childhood, their somewhat syrupy previous album, Marillion returned with a much more focused record. Both musically and lyrically much tighter and more hard-hitting, Clutching At Straws was Marillion's finest hour. The band's final album with Fish as vocalist and lyricist, it unfortunately did not gain the acclaim of its predecessor and those put off by the flaws evident in their earlier work may never have had a chance to re-assess the band on the basis of the strengths present here. Partly this relative lack of success must have been due to the intensity of the album's lyrics. They are a soul-baring manifesto centred around alcoholism, self-deception, self-loathing, fear, pride and lack of communication. The flashes of inspiration and reliance on ingenious word-play evident on previous releases are here transformed into a remarkably coherent and sustained set of perspectives of which much has the force of the best pop poetry. Only "White Russian" and "Torch Song" do not really live up to the promise of the rest. Musically, the rest of Marillion once more prove their humility and professionalism by providing a gloriously tuneful, adept and fluent backing to the sweep of Fish's vision. In keeping with the subject matter, the music is both grittier and more subtle than any they had produced before. Together, words and music make a seamless package that is well worth investigating. --James Swift
Product Description
MARILLION Clutching At Straws (1999 UK digitally remastered 2-CD set comprised of 12-track album [originally released in 1987 and the last to feature original singer Fish] plus 12-track bonus CD of previously unreleased material and alternative versions with extensive booklet featuring photos and liner notes)
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
8 of 8 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
Despite its strong theme of alcohol misuse running throughout, this melodic, deep and moving record actually lends itself well to a listen last thing at night with a good single malt in hand!
One or two tracks just don't fit. These will stand out to you and you'll skip them. The rest is pure genius; timeless, and accomplished. A great album, with a surprisingly 'light' yet technically brilliant and intricate sound.
This album should never be confined to history. Fish and the boys did good here.
One or two tracks just don't fit. These will stand out to you and you'll skip them. The rest is pure genius; timeless, and accomplished. A great album, with a surprisingly 'light' yet technically brilliant and intricate sound.
This album should never be confined to history. Fish and the boys did good here.
8 of 8 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
Clutching At Straws is Fish's letter of resignation to Marillion. Lyrically you can clearly tell that Fish is going through some inner turmoil. Musically, the band have never sounded so powerful.
The opening salvo of 'Hotel Hobbies/Warm Wet Circles/That Time Of The Night' illustrates the concept of the struggling writer trying to keep the demons of alcoholism at bay and ultimately failing. It's an awesome opening salvo of vocals and jaw dropping musical ability that leaves the listener quite breathless.
'White Russian' and the prophetic 'The Last Straw', show that Marillion are still quite adept at writing and performing big, show stopping epics, while 'Incommunicado', 'Sugar Mice' and the excellent 'Slainte Mhath', prove that the band were becoming more proficient in terms of delivering accessible, radio friendly tracks without selling out in any way.
Both Fish and Steve Rothery seem to dominate proceedings with some truly outstanding individual performances, and Ian Mosley's drumming is real masterclass stuff at times, especially in the first three tracks and 'White Russian'. Terrific stuff.
Chris Kimsey's production is, once again, right on the money and when you consider that 'Misplaced Childhood' could have been a real millstone around the band's neck, that 'Clutching...' is as strong an album as it is should be viewed as a real achievement.
I'm of the opinion that if Marillion had continued on this path with Fish at the helm, they would be sitting now with the same gravitas and worldwide popularity as Iron Maiden or even U2. As much as I love the Steve Hogarth era albums and fully respect the direction the band now follow, I do find myself returning to the Fish era records and feeling a little sad that the big man had to quit the group in the manner that he did. There's something magical about 1982-1988 Marillion, and when Fish left, I feel he took the cajones with him so to speak.
Having said all that, he left one hell of a legacy and a fantastic back catalogue, of which 'Clutching At Straws' is one hell of an addition.
Shame about the cover though. Otherwise, absolutely marvellous.
The opening salvo of 'Hotel Hobbies/Warm Wet Circles/That Time Of The Night' illustrates the concept of the struggling writer trying to keep the demons of alcoholism at bay and ultimately failing. It's an awesome opening salvo of vocals and jaw dropping musical ability that leaves the listener quite breathless.
'White Russian' and the prophetic 'The Last Straw', show that Marillion are still quite adept at writing and performing big, show stopping epics, while 'Incommunicado', 'Sugar Mice' and the excellent 'Slainte Mhath', prove that the band were becoming more proficient in terms of delivering accessible, radio friendly tracks without selling out in any way.
Both Fish and Steve Rothery seem to dominate proceedings with some truly outstanding individual performances, and Ian Mosley's drumming is real masterclass stuff at times, especially in the first three tracks and 'White Russian'. Terrific stuff.
Chris Kimsey's production is, once again, right on the money and when you consider that 'Misplaced Childhood' could have been a real millstone around the band's neck, that 'Clutching...' is as strong an album as it is should be viewed as a real achievement.
I'm of the opinion that if Marillion had continued on this path with Fish at the helm, they would be sitting now with the same gravitas and worldwide popularity as Iron Maiden or even U2. As much as I love the Steve Hogarth era albums and fully respect the direction the band now follow, I do find myself returning to the Fish era records and feeling a little sad that the big man had to quit the group in the manner that he did. There's something magical about 1982-1988 Marillion, and when Fish left, I feel he took the cajones with him so to speak.
Having said all that, he left one hell of a legacy and a fantastic back catalogue, of which 'Clutching At Straws' is one hell of an addition.
Shame about the cover though. Otherwise, absolutely marvellous.
13 of 14 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
Listen to this album from 1987 and you will realise that it is by one of the most misunderstood and hence underrated bands that have ever been. The brilliant and thoughtful mind of their then lead singer, the enigmatic Fish, produces a masterpiece of songwriting that combines poetic skill with some of the deepest lyrics to any songs you will ever hear. Fish's fine vocals are accompanied by the band's particularly good musicianship to make this an album which just has to be in the collection of any person with a heart and a soul. The band's influence on such modern acts as Radiohead and The Manic Street Preachers is often ignored or dismissed but one only need read the lyrics on this album to find it's pretty obvious.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
Old Rocker
This album takes me back a few years and is great to listen to whilst driving. I find myself singing along and it keeps me alert on long journeys. Read more
Published 6 months ago by P. J. Davies
A zenith
I bought this CD some years after putting my vinyl copy of the album in the loft. I had missed it too much, and, from the opening notes, every word and cadence came flooding back. Read more
Published 6 months ago by Koko
Drunken romantics
This is a drinkers delight. Fish excells as the self cast drunken romantic. Possibley the best Fish era Marillion album.
Published 10 months ago by Wolfchilde
A MASTERPIECE
Clutching at Straws is a truly magnificent album. The remaster provides excellent sound quality, enhancing the experience even further. Stick this album in your CD player. Read more
Published 20 months ago by S. Carlin
The best album ever probably
If you want a collection of songs that makes every hair on your arm stand up. This is it. From the moment Hotel Hobbies starts till the Last Straw, probably the best collection of... Read more
Published 22 months ago by Diesel
Marinated!!
Marillion have always been a grossly underrated band, always at the soft metal end of the scale, their prog rock influence is evident. Read more
Published on 13 May 2008 by C. O'toole
Empty Glass
One of the previous reviewers is quite right:
'From start to finish, this album is just the most melodic, moving and passionate music that the band ever recorded with... Read more
'From start to finish, this album is just the most melodic, moving and passionate music that the band ever recorded with... Read more
Published on 6 Aug 2007 by P. Jackson
best fish era marillion album
This is my favourite Fish era Marillion album. It betters even the superb Misplaced Childhood - and that's saying something -with the first 3 tracks, Hotel Hobbies, Warm Wet... Read more
Published on 14 Oct 2005 by max222
Good album, extras poor
Clutching at Straws is probably Marillion's high point. That's not to say there aren't weak points on it - too much of it is Fish wallowing in his own self-pity. Read more
Published on 12 Jan 2004 by A. Key
Revisiting British rock's forgotten sons
As a virginal, buck-toothed adolescent I was introduced to rock music by Marillion and for a couple of years I listened to little else. Read more
Published on 14 Jan 2001
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