CLUTCHING AT STRAWS

I am going to rate myself as a Level 1 as I go into Clutching at Straws. I usually like Marillion, but until I started this challenge, I had never heard any of their albums straight through, start to finish. Thus far, I've listened to Afraid of Sunlight, and Marbles, but this is the first Fish era album I've given a thorough listen to (even though it's his 4th and final album with the band. I have heard the following songs from this album? Hotel Hobbies, Warm Wet Circles, Slainte Mhath, and Sugar Mice. Should be good

According to Wikipedia, this is the concept behind the album:

The character of Torch (supposedly a descendant of the Jester from earlier album sleeves) is a 29-year-old out-of- work man whose life is a mess. He seeks comfort mostly in alcohol to numb himself. He is trying, but failing, to forget what lies at his feet?a failed marriage, being a deadbeat father, and his lack of commercial success as a singer in a band. As he gets drunk, he also writes about his surroundings and his laments. Since Torch has no other real outlet at his disposal, he ends up in bars, hotel rooms, and on the road, screaming and drunk, thus, he is described as beyond redemption or hope.

Track 1 - Hotel Hobbies

We fade in with keys & bass, and guitar joins. Fish starts with the first verse thereafter. Bass drum accents join in, and we keep building, until the steady rhythm begins. This is classic Fish-era Marillion. Excellent Rothery solo. Some of the early Marillion sounds like what Genesis might sound like with David Gilmour on guitar. This moves directly into?

Track 2 - Warm Wet Circles

This begins with arpeggiated clean guitar, then Fish joins in. We are in a moderate tempo, almost ballad-like feel. The chorus is just Fish & Mark Kelly on piano. Following that we have another wonderful, albeit brief, Rothery guitar solo. A bridge follows that. With a slightly heavier feel and guitar fills between vocal phrases. A piano feature takes us to?

Track 3 - That Time of the Night (The Short Straw)

Synth & bass start this one with a quintessentially 80s tone, to be joined by Fish. Rothery has some nice reverb- drenched guitar lines following the opening verse. The rhythm changes at around 1:40 and the tempo becomes more pronounced. Things briefly start rocking harder around 2:40. After another softer verse, things pick up again. Nice change of feel at around 4:25. The lyrics reference the previous track, chanting "Warm Wet Circles," repeatedly at the end of the song, first with Fish, then with the background singers only.

Track 4 - Going Under

Apparently, this track was only on the CD version at the time of release, not on vinyl or cassette versions.

We begin with clean guitar arpeggios and keys, to be joined by Fish. An outstanding brief guitar break fills in between the verses. After a short final verse, the short song concludes.

Track 5 - Just for the Record

A moderately upbeat keyboard pattern starts us off and the band and vocals start in a steady 7-8 pattern. Choruses between verses see the rhythm section bow out and keyboards & vocals are featured. We actually get a Mark Kelly keyboard solo, in a style that sounds like a cross between Tony Banks & Rick Wakeman-NICE! Excellent track, but it was over too quick.

Track 6 - White Russian

Wind sound effects and ominous minor-key keyboards start out here, followed by vocals, guitar & a band build up. We are in a 6-8 rhythm on this one. I like the vocal bridge with only keyboard backing. Rothery does a bit of VH style tapping in the solo. We change to 4-4 first at a quick tempo, then the tempo slows. Nice Rothery guitar work on the closing section along with Fish's excellent vocals.

Track 7 - Incommunicado

A keyboard riff fades in to begin this one. We are in 5-4, then we have a dramatic tempo shift and another brilliant Wakeman style keyboard break from Kelly. This is Fish-era Marillion at its finest. I love the alternating up-tempo and softer vocal sections. Kelly is the star of this one (along with Fish's dramatic vocal style). It screams to be played in a big arena.

Track 8 - Torch Song

Clean guitar with some occasional slide fills give this one a mysterious vibe. Moseley and Trewavas gave a nice rhythm section part going and the keys are subtle in the background on the opening verses. The keys take over at around 2 minutes in. There is dialog happening, but it's slightly buried in the mix. Fish's delivery is amazing following that interlude. This merges directly into?

Track 9 - Slainte Mhath

(Not sure how to pronounce that title.) A nice piano riff starts off before the band comes in in a toned-down Baba O'Reily fashion. Rothery plays a nice Gilmour-style delay-based guitar riff as the vocals begin. This Marillion era is excellent when it comes to big dynamic changes. I love the shift starting around 3:15. Great song, but too short!

Track 10 - Sugar Mice

This one starts out with a feel similar to "Lavender" from the previous album, "Misplaced Childhood." The melody. Occasionally reminds me of "Gettin' in Tune" from the Who when he sings "Blame it on me." A brilliant, soaring Rothery solo follows. The album title is contained in this song. Beautifully done song.

Track 11 - The Last Straw/ Happy Ending.

The opening line references the opening song of the album. The verse rhythm section parts remind me of "Imaginary Lover" from Atlanta Rhythm Section. Nice quietly dramatic bridge just after the 2-minute mark. The album title returns just before the guitar solo where the band kicks back in. Rothery is such an under-rated guitarist. His solos are always brilliant. Nice female vocals join in to duel with Fish as the song and album come to a conclusion. I guess the laugh at the end is the "Happy Ending". Wonderful track.

OVERALL IMPRESSIONS:

Fantastic album from start to finish! I loved every track. My only complaint is that I wish that some of the songs were longer; I was just getting into them, and they were over! I can see why some people only like the Fish-era Marillion albums, as there is a certain magic to them. Now, I also like the H-era Marillion albums, but they get a different vibe going as they evolve. I give this a very strong 4.75 out of 5 stars.

Clicking 5, but really 4.75, 4 is too low!

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