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Clutching at Straws

by Marillion

Released: June 22, 1987

Neo-prog

musicOnOff editorial

Why This Album Matters

This album matters because its strongest editorial story is: Breakthrough.

The Album

The album is a concept album, exploring themes of addiction, disillusionment, and personal crises. "Clutching at Straws" is the fourth studio album by the British neo-prog band Marillion, released on June 22, 1987. Q magazine included it in their list of the "50 Best Recordings of the Year," while AllMusic described it as an "unheralded masterpiece." Rolling Stone ranked it at number 37 in their countdown of the "50 Greatest Prog Rock Albums of All Time." In 1999, a remastered version of the album was released, featuring additional B-sides and demos, accompanied by detailed liner notes from all the original band members, including Fish.

Stories and details

Interesting Facts

It marked the last album with lead singer…

It marked the last album with lead singer Fish, who departed from the band in 1988.

Watch and listen

Explore the Album

Marillion - Clutching at Straws

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Then

Reception

The album produced three UK Top 40 singles: "Incommunicado," "Sugar Mice," and "Warm Wet Circles." Critically acclaimed, the album has been recognized for its depth and musicality. While "Clutching at Straws" did not match the commercial success of its predecessor "Misplaced Childhood," which topped the UK album chart, it still debuted strongly at number two and spent 15 weeks on the UK album chart.

Full background

The Complete Album Story

"Clutching at Straws" is the fourth studio album by the British neo-prog band Marillion, released on June 22, 1987. It marked the last album with lead singer Fish, who departed from the band in 1988. The album is a concept album, exploring themes of addiction, disillusionment, and personal crises.

While "Clutching at Straws" did not match the commercial success of its predecessor "Misplaced Childhood," which topped the UK album chart, it still debuted strongly at number two and spent 15 weeks on the UK album chart. The album produced three UK Top 40 singles: "Incommunicado," "Sugar Mice," and "Warm Wet Circles."

Critically acclaimed, the album has been recognized for its depth and musicality. Q magazine included it in their list of the "50 Best Recordings of the Year," while AllMusic described it as an "unheralded masterpiece." Rolling Stone ranked it at number 37 in their countdown of the "50 Greatest Prog Rock Albums of All Time."

In 1999, a remastered version of the album was released, featuring additional B-sides and demos, accompanied by detailed liner notes from all the original band members, including Fish.