CLUTCHING AT STRAWS

This terrific album, like many others (Rush-Signals, Genesis-Foxtrot, Triumvirat- Spartacus...) has NO ordinary piece: ALL the songs are excellent! You cannot say: "I just listen it for "Sugar mice" or whatever..." Once you've started it, you cannot stop! I really like the subtle emotional & atmospheric sound, often being ethereal. The modern keyboards are often smooth, in the background, while the delightful and refined guitars often consist in clean & short notes, like on the "Blind curve" track on the "Misplaced childhood" album. There are many excellent, melodic and very catchy guitar solos. On this record, you have the impression that no instrument wants to steal the show; it gives a very well balanced album. It is the most relaxing album of the Marillion-Fish era. It is also the best one. The short songs formula really works on this record. The guys expressed well what they felt in the bars during the tour; the lyrics are sad, but the music is very well made and addictive.

EXTREMELY RECOMMENDED!