Marillion - Clutching At Straws
EMI Records Ltd.  (1987)
Prog-Rock/ Art Rock

In Collection
#2354

0*
LP    10 tracks  (49:25) 
   01   Hotel Hobbies             03:35
   02   Warm Wet Circles             04:25
   03   That Time Of The Night (The Short Straw)             06:00
   04   Just For The Record             03:09
   05   White Russian             06:27
   06   Incommunicado             05:16
   07   Torch Song             04:05
   08   Slainte Mhath             04:44
   09   Sugar Mice             05:46
   10   The Last Straw: Happy Ending             05:58
Personal Details
Purchase Date 20.09.1987
Details
Notes
MARILLION biography: Front-runners of the short-lived UK progressive rock revival of the early 80s, MARILLION survived unfavourable comparisons with GENESIS to become a popular melodic rock group, notching up several successful singles plucked from their grandiose concept albums. The group formed in Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire, originally as SILMARILLION, a name taken from the novel by J.R.R. Tolkien. The group featured Doug IRVINE (bass), Mick POINTER (b. 22 July 1956; drums), Steve ROTHERY (b. 25 November 1959, Brampton, South Yorkshire, England; guitar) and Brian JELLIMAN (keyboards). After recording the instrumental demo, 'The Web', the band recruited FISH (b. Derek William Dick, 25 April 1958, Dalkeith, Edinburgh, Scotland; vocals) and Diz MINNETT (bass) and began building a strong following through almost continuous gigging. Before recording their debut, 'Market Square Heroes', JELLIMAN and MINNITT were replaced by Mark KELLY (b. 9 April 1961; keyboards) and Pete TREWAVAS (b. 15 January 1959, Middlesbrough, Cleveland, England; bass). FISH wrote all the lyrics for "SCRIPT FOR A JESTER'S TEAR" and became the focal point of the group, often appearing on stage in garish make-up, echoing the style, both visually and vocally, of GENESIS' singer Peter GABRIEL. In 1983 Pointer was sacked and replaced for brief stints by Andy WARD of CAMEL, then John MARTER and Jonathan MOVER before the arrival of Ian MOSLEY (b. 16 June 1953, London, England), a veteran of many progressive rock bands, including CURVED AIR and the GORDON GILTRAP BAND. MARILLION's second album ,"FUGAZI", embraced a more straightforward hard rock sound and yielded two hits, 'Assassin' and 'Punch And Judy'. 1985's "MISPLACED CHILDWOOD" was MARILLION's biggest-selling album - surprisingly so, as it featured an elaborate concept, being virtually one continuous piece of music based largely on FISH's childhood experiences. 'Kayleigh', a romantic ballad extracted from this mammoth work, reached number 2 in the UK charts. By 1988 FISH was becoming increasingly dissatisfied with the group's musical development and left to pursue a solo career. The live double album, "THIEVING MAGPIE" , was his last recorded contribution, and provided a fitting overview of the group's past successes. MARILLION acquired Steve HOGARTH (b. Doncaster, Yorkshire, England), formerly of the Europeans, who made his debut on "SEASONS END", proving himself equal to the daunting task of fronting a well-established band. The 90s have found MARILLION as popular as ever, with the ghost of FISH receding into the distance. With HOGARTH fronting the band consistent success has continued to acrue, including chart status for 'Sympathy', 'The Hollow Man' and 'Alone Again In The Lap Of Luxury'. "AFRAID OF SUNLIGHT" tackled the subject of fame, with references to the recently deceased Nirvana vocalist, Kurt COBAIN, John LENNON and O.J. SIMPSON, the former American footballer who at the time was on trial for murdering his wife (though he was later cleared). Unusually for a band rooted in the progressive rock subculture, a genre dominated by the album, MARILLION continue to be distinguished as much for their singles. May 20, 2000