CLUTCHING AT STRAWS

Although Marillion fans seem to go overboard with their praise for the preceding album "Misplaced Childhood" (which seems weak and poppy in places), "Clutching At Straws" is Marillion's masterpiece. The songwriting is top-notch, the balance between heavy, medium, and quieter songs is great, and the musicianship and moods projected by the band are at their peak. This is an album that belongs in every prog-rock collection. This also sounds great at loud volumes.

Highlights include the energetic "Incommunicado", powerful "White Russian", cool "Slainth Mhath", and the smoky and dreamy "That Time of the Night".