MUSIC REVIEW: Marillion - Clutching at Straws

"Hardly clutching at straws."

After Misplaced Childhood, Marillion frontman Fish found success a difficult thing to cope with. You wouldn't think that he could get anymore personal than he did with the previous album, but here the lyrics are often seriously disquieting as they reflect upon drug abuse and alcoholism unraveling a man's life and corroding his self-respect. It's gritty and lucid with that special, distinctive Fish lyrical prose, which is just a part of what makes Fish-Marillion's music so special. And although few of us experience the problems the character "Torch" goes through, Fish has a good knack for making us empathetic with the songs. It's hard not to be a little stirred by the sad "Warm, Wet Circles," the directionless wandering of "White Russian," the abyssal misery and forlorn fragility of "Going Under," or the lamenting, plaintive "Sugar Mice."

Of course, the accompanying musicians aren't slouches by any means. Rothery, as always, evokes an incredible degree of emotion from the gallant chords that sing from his guitar. While I think the most individually impressive Rothery solo is that from Seasons End's "Easter," Clutching At Straws is his most emotionally powerful work to date. His guitar is Fish's second voice. Rothery's ability to isolate and preserve Fish's emotions is unmatched by anyone. It is possible only through a collegial magic and musical connection that these men share. Keyboardist Mark Kelly is equally important, not being much for pizzazz, but being remarkably effective in subtle tones of atmosphere and feeling.

Clutching at Straws was the last Marillion album with Fish before the band separated (not counting the live La Gazza Ladra). It's thankful that they didn't let themselves record an awful album during this wild and stressful time, and their schism ended on a high note, establishing a faultless legacy as a precursor to their separate ways. It's probably the tension between the musicians that helped create the thick threads of emotion in this release. Now, Fish enjoys a fine solo career, and Marillion brought in the different but still wonderful Steve Hogarth to take the reins.