Clutching At Straws

Clutching at Straws is the fourth studio album by neo-progressive rock band Marillion, and is a concept album. Released in 1987, it was the last album with lead singer Fish who left the band in 1988. Although commercially not quite as successful as its 1985 predecessor Misplaced Childhood - Clutching at Straws spent 15 weeks on the UK album chart (the shortest chart residency of any of Marillion’s first four studio albums) - it still reached number two (the second highest chart placing for a Marillion album) and it is considered to be among the best work of Marillion’s “Fish era” by many fans and critics … , and also Fish himself, as he has stated in several interviews.[1]

In 1999 a 2-CD ‘Remastered Version’ with additional B-sides and demos was released, with detailed liner notes from all of the original members including Fish.

Concept
The character of Torch (supposedly a descendent of the Jester from earlier album sleeves) is a 29 year old out-of-work man whose life is a mess. He seeks comfort mostly in alcohol to numb himself. He is trying, but failing, to forget what lies at his feet—a failed marriage, being a deadbeat father, and his lack of commercial success as a singer in a band. As he gets drunk, he also writes about his surroundings and his laments. Since Torch has no other real outlet at his disposal, he ends up in bars, hotel rooms, and on the road, screaming and drunk, thus, he is described as beyond redemption or hope.

Marillion took a break after their tour in support of the album (with Fish eventually quitting) after it was released.