Listening to Marillion: Clutching At Straws, Part 1

[@canadianstudmuffin]

This is my favorite Marillion album I have heard with one of the greatest vocal performances I've ever heard by Fish. Outstanding album!

[@JimNewstead]

Hey Larry! How's it going fella? Yes, this is great isn't it?

[@ramoncardinali]

Best Fish era album by far imo. Wish i could listen to this for the first time again...

[@DHall-xz7ke]

Misplaced Childhood takes that prize for me though I like this alot too.

[@marklockey4434]

The brief instrumental tail end of “Warm Wet Circles” into “That Time of the Night” is magical.

[@JesperHellvik]

Totally genius! Pete's bass comes on stroooong!

[@JesperHellvik]

At That Time of The Night might be my favourite on this album. The way WWC transitions from Mark's piano into Pete's heavy bass....sublime!

[@dkernighan1]

One of my favorite albums of all-time. Top 5.

[@radinamarca]

This is a masterpiece of music, for ever engrained in our minds

[@erikleenhouts834]

Great album! Maybe my favourite of that "Fish" era. Thanks Jim!

[@ArthurMol-ib5tg]

I agree

[@andrewwallace1376]

Fabulous album the grand finale for Fish best production to date !! both sides are excellent love Sugar mice on side two 👍

[@ArthurMol-ib5tg]

This is also my fav album from Fish era. White Russian and Clutching at Straws the absolute highlights. Further Torch song is so special!

[@MSQHERO]

Hi jim , so glad you got round to clutching at straws. This is without a doubt my favourite album, yes album of all time . I bought it on day of release when i was 15 . Music is all about time and place and i totally fell in love with this recording. A stunning piece of work . Keep up the great work .

[@drumvc8060]

My favourite Marillion album, spectacular in every way 🙂

[@ericmeredith8754]

Great band. Have not heard this album yet. Loving it so far!!! Thanks Jim!!!

[@JimNewstead]

Thanks Eric!

[@cuervolalli5640]

The very Best of Marillion....Thanks!!!!❤❤❤ I'm from Argentina 🇦🇷

[@palantir135]

Hi Jim, I’m a lifelong Marillion fan and this is my favorite album from the Fish era. Afraid of sunlight album is the one to go for from the new era.

[@JimNewstead]

I saw this one! ☝️

[@palantir135]

And it’s still visible.😅

[@jesusborrajo2154]

masterpiece👏👏👏

[@saytamaner]

This is high up there with the Misplaced Childhood. I've been listening to both since 1985, but I couldn't decide which one I like most yet. Simply brilliant, simply gorgeous. Pete is fantastic as always, Ian shows how solid a drummer he is in White Russian with all those changes & syncopated rhythms. Mark's keys are so sweet in Just for the Record and Steve shows its genius all the way from start to the end. Would it sound a little strange if I mention about how I shed a teardrop or two, out of joy that I get from listening to this masterpiece, even after all those years?

[@saytamaner]

By the way, about the meaning & pronunciation of Sláinte Mhath: kzbin.info/www/bejne/mpWycpWbhM6DiM0

[@WokeBegone]

Agreed, I couldn't actually draw a line between Misplaced Childhood and this, they have very different highs and lows.

[@ivogil4]

Thanks for this great reaction. Nice to hear this album again. It was to long ago. You hear Marillion changing. On the front side of the album you see that Jester is leaving. He is standing on the corner of the bar.

[@princealiaps3751]

Can we please acknowledge what a class bassist! Pete Trewavas - his little quick notes are quality.

[@dwl1117]

My favourite album of all time. Phenomenal concert as well -Toronto, Massey Hall, October 1987.

[@HubertHuijbregts]

I can still see the spotlights dancing over the crowd. First one, then another one, and another one, and another one, all on the tunes of La Gazza Ladra. And then Slainthe Mhath... dang. One of the best concerts ever. Rotterdam 1987

[@andrewhamer2512]

Fish"s lyrics matured massively on rhis album. Keeping it simpler but still articulate, as opposed to trying too hard as he did in places on Fugazi. Almost a prog singer songwriter album., it has stood the test of time very well.

[@katierootham]

Absolutely cracking review, it took me a while to like the early Fish Marilliobn, but this one album, I really enjoy listening to now. Also can't wait to hear Marillion monthly, we'll done Jim! 😎😁👍

[@JimNewstead]

Hey Katie! Thanks

[@markferrett700]

What brilliant album.....Fish is a criminaly underrated genius. If only i could hear this album again for the first time......i remember being mesmerised first time round. Absolutely love this album.....thinking mans rock!!!! That is THE way to listen to it ,with headphones on.

[@JimNewstead]

Headphones ROCK!

[@Gerhardium]

Great album. When it was released I was home with pneumonia but my friend Adam went and picked it up for me after school then came over. Adam HATED Marillion but he was a great friend, sadly he died far too young and this reminds me how much i miss him.

[@Desincarne]

Amazing how music can connect us to people, and to our memories of them when they're gone. I'm sorry your friend left us too soon x

[@JimNewstead]

Echoing what Desincarne says, music is magic how it connects, transports and reminds us of people, places, things, times.... I hope the music helps.

[@VantagePointrocks]

My favourite Marillion album, contains so many great songs.

[@stephencarr9860]

Their finest hour Jim. A most fabulous outing which is my most played album at 66, ever.

[@luton_gmanrock]

Thanks Jim for reminding me how good Marillion were in the early days, shockingly I do not own this on wax - yet. ⛄MERRY CHRISTMAS 🎄& 🎊A HAPPY SPINNING 2024🎇

[@JimNewstead]

Thanks so much! And same to you :)

[@rinaldocoutinho7028]

Masterpiece!

[@mgoulet002]

Oddly I didn't connect with this album when I first heard it in 1992. I even got rid of it. Now? It's possibly my favorite album of all time. Not kidding. An absolute masterpiece of music and storytelling. And a timeless, full sound that has the keys balanced between piano, lush analog pads and the infrequent Moog solo. For an album that has largely shed the Moog-style keyboard solos, IMO the one in the second half of Just for the Record manages both keyboard gymnastics and a solemn majesty that has me in goosebumps - it's not there to impress but to add to the muscial story. Finally, I'd say this album is Fish's best vocal performance of his career along with his most cohesive thematic lyrics forming a true concept album (almost a rock opera) from the first to the last song.

[@eugeneshadwell6596]

Still my favourite Marillion album after all these years...

[@danielmoore4693]

Marillion were falling apart and still managed to pull out a masterpiece. Love this album!

[@shanewalsh4337]

The section leading into that time of the night is just sublime. Rothery is so criminally underrated.

[@StraightJester]

They wrote "White Russian" after visiting a concentration camp in Poland. Uzis are rapid-fire rifles. And what a great idea to start the follow-up to the concept album "Misplaced Childhood" with 3 tracks that also merge into one another seamlessly. The character of "Jester" was replaced by "Torch", who wears a coat on the cover from which the Jester cap peeks out... This is a (-nother) Masterpiece...

[@torch8760]

This is - straight up - my favourite album of all time. It’s so goddamn beautiful. Lyrics tell an amazing story, the band was at their creative peak…it’s flawless. The only perfect album I own. I’ve been waiting for you to do this for years.

[@torch8760]

Fish’s lyrics are gut-wrenching for anyone that’s been around drinkers, artists, adficts…and Rothery’s guitar has never soared like it does here. Fish’s voice is just perfection, Mosley’s drums drive like on no other album. Fun note - my second fave song on this album, Just for the Record, is the only one they’ve never played live fml. And the he live version of Slainte Mhath on La Garza Ladra nearly brings me to tears. It’s everything Marillion excels at - power, sadness, incredible dynamics and raw majesty. I could not love this album more.

[@ianliverpool6623]

Brilliant review ,, thank you

[@suecongdon6844]

This is definitely my favourite Fish era Marillion album. I saw them on this tour (still got the t-shirt somewhere) - I was so lucky to have seen them with Fish! And I love the sound of your vinyl! Happy Christmas, Jim!

[@JimNewstead]

Thank you! And to you too

[@digibirder]

One of the greatest prog concept-albums of all time. A timeless classic! This was where they really started to establish their band identity for me.

[@ThePromisedLand-hs9nh]

Arguably the best album of all-time.

[@danielryan4102]

Beautiful album. Love the transition between songs.

[@gavinferguson]

about time and thank you i feel this album has been lost in the mists of time. DEFO ONE OF MY ALL TIME FAVS..... for fun fush has a 2008 live version on spotify

[@BrianWhitney-e3y]

Everyone who experienced life as a teenager in the late 70s and 80's can relate to all of this album.

[@WhiteHartMart]

Outstanding album - probably one of my most played ever.

[@mrkitewine7700]

Ooh, look who’s in the new Marillion Monthly episode. Nice one Jim.

[@JimNewstead]

Where, what, who !!!!????

[@mrkitewine7700]

@@JimNewstead 😉

[@miloszobloza]

Hi! Thx for keeping this great music alive. One of many things I like about this album is how they utilised female backing vocals (Tessa Niles - known from many collabs, incl. Clapton). It sounds so good in That time of the night. Also the sleeve design is great - introducing new character, Torch, replacing Jester (but he's got Jester's hat hangin' from his coat's pocket). Many ppl aren't pleased with this artwork (incl. Mark Wilkinson himself - because of the short deadline). But it's brilliant. More modest, dark. That darkness corresponds with the music.

[@markclaypool5414]

This is my favorite Fish era Marillion - just brilliant!

[@jans724]

This is a fantastic album! Kind of a peak.

[@stinggggggg]

i get goosebumps everytime he says this is fantastic 😂

[@matthewlewis9424]

Glad you are enjoying the album Jim. It is definitely the one that h feels most connected with from the Fish era. The band often pull out songs from the album out on tour. I missed seeing Fish live and can only go off of the concert recordings that I have seen and heard. Watching h perform the “Warm Wet Circles” suite, “Sugar Mice”, “Incommunicado”, and “Slainte Mhath” are all fantastic as he brings his distinct energy to the material. Every once in a while they have also done “White Russian” which is a real banger live.

[@tamaspolyak5564]

Slàinte mhath is the Scottish spelling, Slàinte mhaith is the Irish, in both languages, the mhath or mhaith can also be omitted, shortening the toast to Slàinte (health). How do you pronounce Slàinte Mhath? Slàinte Mhath is pronounced as either slanschewaa or slansche ‘va. Phonetically it is written as slɑːndʒə ˈva. To understand this, here are a few of the Scottish Gaelic pronunciation rules that apply to this toast: Accented vowels are drawn out. The I in “AI” is mute here. ‘Mh’ in mhath becomes ‘w’ and ‘th’ is pronounced as a mute h.

[@JimNewstead]

Well, now I know! Thank you :)

[@MagratheaLegend]

Enjoyed re visiting that myself with you Jim, I personally feel White Russian was their finest hour under Fish. Incredible song/lyrics.

[@iantrott9152]

I’ve been a Marillion fan since the pre-Fish days, this is by far my favourite “Fish era” album; it’s so full of angst :)

[@AOKONE]

@@iantrott9152 Is there marillion songs ”pre-fish”?

[@spiral2012]

Best Marillion album for sure!

[@camiro66]

I can not count how many nights this album stole. Open a bottle of wine, shut down the lights, crank up the volume and let the music do its magic. Repeat until the first sun beam reminds you that this was the perfect way to "waste" a night

[@nopenopenope131]

I think you said "Assassin," but it's "Assassing." This is a wonderful album, with world-class musicianship, vocals, lyrics, story, time signatures, melodies, and transitions. Pubescent and deeply adult themes co-mingle, and include love, heartbreaking loss, coming of age, nostalgia, substance abuse, geo-politics, the excesses of fame, and more. The vinyl ticks were disappointing and distracting, but this is a rare gem of exceptional beauty.

[@billyhodges7194]

This and seasons end are my absolute favourite Marillion albums 😊

[@johnmavroudis2054]

My absolute favorite MARILLION album… fully-realized brilliant lyrics from Fish is the perfect swan song. His words really hit me in the soul and perfectly reflected the fears and hopes of the time. Absolutely outstanding guitar work from Rothery (who really echoed Steve Hackett, in my ears… and that’s about the best compliment I could pay a guitarist.) When Fish left, I didn’t have the heart to continue with the band, as I felt “who could top, or even come close to, this lyrical brilliance?” …maybe time to visit their later work?

[@JimNewstead]

It's time!

[@delorangeade]

The album where Marillion really began to find their own voice as a band, with more concise and direct songwriting and less meandering nods to the past. It's a shame they had to complete the process with a new front man as Fish takes his lyricism to a new level on this album. The opening suite is the best thing he wrote for the band, and one of the best tracks in their entire catalogue.

[@markhoadley1104]

My all time favourite album ❤

[@TheScubaboy56]

About time! Classic Fish era Marillion. Difficult choice between this and Misplaced, but this imho is their peak with Fish.

[@mrkitewine7700]

Thanks for this one Jim. When this first came out in ‘87 it was comfortably my least favourite of the 4 studio albums, the songs were shorter and less classic prog based. As the years went by I realised what a gem this album really is and now I love all 4 equally. I saw them tour the album at the NEC in 87, (It Bites supported). After their La Gazza Ladra intro, the curtain dropped and they powered into Slainte mhath, Fish did a high kick and ripped his multi coloured suit trousers.

[@michaelrobinson8464]

My favourite album ever. Gut-wrenching in its beauty. And so you know , Jim, the song you were wondering about pronounciation-wise is pronounced like "Slanj Ma-vah"- it's Gaelic slang for "cheers" in keeping with the theme of addiction andd losing oneself in the bottle.

[@michaelrobinson8464]

Rothery has never been better and Fish's lyrical mastery hit its apex on this album. Once you live with the words after a few listens you realize how truly personal this record was, as Fish bared his soul about his struggles while the band was splintering as a result

[@grahampowell7669]

Brilliant album

[@PJprog]

My anticipation for this release as a 20 year old was through the roof...and being an early Genesis nut and Marillion obsessive it definitely lived up to expectations !! I got my day-of-release copy in cassette form and on the half hour walk to work every day I played it on my Walkman. In rotation with Selling England by the Pound. ( I was in a time warp , said my mates ).... 🤣Marillion's last great album. OMG Rothery's guitar on this !!! Thanks Jim for evoking memories , great video. 😍

[@clansome]

I remember getting this in cassette form too. I was bitterly disappointed with it and have never been able to really pinpoint the reason. Not everything a band does resonates st the right time and this certainly didn't for me. I grown to love itand was lucky enough to pick up both this and Misplaced Childhood Deluxe sets (the recently reissued ones) which I managed to miss first time around.

[@malcolmdaniel4462]

Simply a stunning album. As Fish said himself, the best he and the Marillios produced when they were together!!!! A 10/10 album.

[@majnun3]

Definitely the best of the Fish crop, this album is simply outstanding. By the way, I agree with the Simple Minds comparison.. I still hear that in some of their new stuff

[@carstenhorn5075]

Sadly, White Russian is more relevant than ever. The song still grabs me after 36 years as it did the first time I heard it. „To stand up and fight, I know we have 6 million reasons!“ CAS is my favourite album of the Fish era

[@Desincarne]

I was just thinking that watching the tail end of this video...

[@johnmavroudis2054]

Totally agree… we need to stand up to anti-semitism, Islamophobia, racism, sexism, homophobia, etc. Fear of the “other” spreads like cancer.

[@stewartmack4821]

Defo there best album

[@schelin1447]

This is such a great album, Marillion at their peak with Fish. Fantastic music and amazing lyrics by the Scottish poet. To me it stands between this album and their debut Script! Script is more nostalgia though. There was a great b-side to the Incommunicado single "Going Under" that you need to check out.

[@BassistInATutu]

This for me is Marillion's last album. After Fish left it was over for me.

[@merlinscat]

I saw the band before the album came out and the played the first three tracks as one piece. Great album my favourite fish era disc

[@franciscojaviermoragregato2719]

Cric...cric...cric.. ¡Fucking vinyl!

[@MisterGarp]

The other characters on the album cover are other known poets....

[@titanmaximum239]

Amazing song.

[@jamesderekeikeland9048]

Fantastic album and maybe their best

[@martinhallback5815]

Fantastic album

[@the_real_schopenhauer985]

Hey! My fourth favourite Marillion album with Fish! ;-). I like the first 3 more but still...Great album from a great band. P.S. Have you ever thought of getting a zero stat gun to get rid of the extra static and hence the crackling? It really helps....

[@JimNewstead]

I haven't.... I didn't know a thing existed!

[@gerhardschote8000]

A classic

[@adamwells5160]

Best marillion album.

[@JesperHellvik]

Mark Kelly shines on Just For The Record...those solos are awesome!

[@annaschmidt2783]

Beautiful album. Marillion is my favorite group since Kayleigh. I love Simple minds and Genesis and Ray Wilson.Listen "Song for a friend" and say what are You thinking about.

[@merlinscat]

I was caught out, after that time of the night on the cd is the track going under. On the LP it goes straight to just for the record.

[@reywilliamson7451]

the click click of vinyl - simply minds nope - an emergant Marillon - shame they empolded to Fish solo album Vigil in a Wilderness of Mirrors which in my humble opinion was an amazing album

[@dreamconcerts8171]

I love that Marillion have one of the great songs against anti-semitism on this album (White Russian).

[@sevans1966]

Their best album. I shall say no more.

[@moonbananababy6870]

Just a fantastic album , of it's time yes but wow

[@MarcVanLaere-zr5im]

In my opinien, the best album they made. ❤👍

[@Juststartingout768]

You're missing a track. "Going Under." It came with the CD I guess because of the limitations of vinyl. It fits in nicely.

[@kenl2091]

'Sounds like a James Bond theme' - Marillion did a version of the main Bond theme at the end of their yuletide version of Carol of the Bells, to give this post a festive theme! This is one of their top 5 albums and I have heard it argued that it's their best.

[@HawksNHabsPC]

My fav Marillion album for sure! Porcupine tree song you are thinking of is Russia on ice

[@EdMelendez]

Love the pops and clicks!! This is an real album!!!!

[@hansmolders1066]

Yes, a Genesis feel, the Scottish way! " Here's the shite and you don't break me down!"

[@timballard27]

Are you thinking of 'Russia on Ice' by Porcupine Tree?

[@JimNewstead]

Absolutely I was! I even corrected myself with a “blink and you miss it” text label in the top left corner when I say that!

[@luton_gmanrock]

Just found this in great condition at a carboot sale for £6.....😊

[@richardwaite8455]

Crackle crackle vinyl is done in!

[@Juststartingout768]

You need to show me these Simple Minds references you are talking about. I have not heard anything Simple Mindsey about them. It is something you said the very first time you listened to them as well. Never saw it then and cannot see it now. It would really interesting to see which is your preferred album between An Hour Before Its Dark when you said it was fantastic, Holidays in Eden when you to it being your favorite and this one. Three completely different type os album from the songwriting to the sound to the presentatation.

[@yes_head]

I know most prefer Misplaced Childhood, but this is my fave Fish-era album. IMO the writing is more mature, Fish's lyrics are more mature (although still lame in spots -- "Warm Wet Circles", for example), and the overall tone just feels more grown up and like a band capable of tackling more serious and interesting subject matter. Unfortunately for Fish he wouldn't be around to see Marillion take that leap.

[@flea1972]

🎵🎶👍👍👍✌️😁

[@PAC-fp9hy]

At long last Marillion's finest (sorry Mr Hogarth) put to the test. I have been posting on here that Jim needed to review this one. I know this album inside out and the lyrics added to the superb musicality and personal tensions make for one of the best mid 80s prog rock albums of all time. Hogarth will never be able to take Marillion to this height. Just wait for side 2, even better.

[@richardwaite8455]

Crackle crackle

[@retrorambles517]

This is a great album Very mature and great playing from all the band especially Steve Rothery Some very 80s pink Floyd esq sounds in part Just imagine what the band could have gone on to do on a follow up I like H Marillion but you could argue there's too much filler to sort through

[@ArthurMol-ib5tg]

Simple minds come on😅😅

[@JimNewstead]

I stand by my comment! Alive and Kicking.....

[@ArthurMol-ib5tg]

@@JimNewstead everbody feels something else and that is so beautiful from musik

[@ZSAZSS09]

@@JimNewstead i don't know about Simple minds, but there's definetly early Genesis vises going on here.