CLUTCHING AT STRAWS

No Marillion album has ever given me the same emotions as Clutching at Straws. Lyrics, melodies, song environments blend to create this masterpiece concept album about alcoholism. Loneliness, euphoria, despair, nostalgia... We are put in front of a gallery of widely expressed feelings, of various moods created by perfectly chosen sounds. Fish's last studio album with Marillion involves interesting progressive tunes as well as deeply emotional ballads, all characterised by the band's signature style and by the moving vocals. From the opening suite Hotel hobbies/Warm wet circles/That time of the night (which alone would be a reason to make this album an essential piece for every prog collection) the atmosphere created by Kelly's keyboards, the heartbreaking Rothery's guitar solos, the unforgivable bass lines played by Trewavas with the steady presence of Mosley's drums, all topped by Fish's most evocative lyrics, contribute to the realization of the album feeling. Catchier songs like Incommunicado, White Russian and Just for the record blend with melancholy ballads like Sugar mice, Going under and Torch song. A tune like Slainte Mhath is hardly describable in words, especially after experiencing the live performance on the From Stoke Row to Ipanema DVD. And the closer The last straw is no disappointment whatsoever, being the perfect ending to one of the best albums ever made by man.