CLUTCHING AT STRAWS

Marillion's last album with Fish, so the band's fourth album, is a nice surprise. Fish ends his Marillion career beautifully, with an almost masterpiece. "Clutching At Straws" is the second best Marillion album, only second to "Misplaced Childhood", in my opinion (even though some may not agree).

IT has all the elements typical of the band: nice symphonic prog influences, heavy synths typical of the 80's, and, of course, memorable melodies, which ae conceived thanks especially to Fish's strong and effective voice.

Great songs, like the haunting "Warm Wet Circles", which could easily be a cut from "Misplaced Childhood". "The Time Of The Night" is another great one, with a great melody and chorus. "Just For The Record" is a brilliant pop song, "White Russian" a relly good prog song, with a catchy melody. "Incommunicado" must be, even if I'm not sure, a huge hit at their concerts, "Slainte Mhath" another fabulous tune, even this one a little "Misplaced Childhood" influenced. Some other songs, however, a little less appealing, and didn't draw my attention much.

As a conclusion, I must say that anyway, despite some defects, this is definitely an album to listen to, if you like Neo Prog.