Music Reviews and all that!

From the moment it blasts off with Hotel Hobbies you know Marillion have eventually peaked. Its the last album with alcy Fish, so called because he spent too much time in the bath. The last album with the man himself and indeed the demise of the band as any credible rock force.

All previous albums attempted the concept idea, but Clutching at straws epitomises their craft.

The subject matter so obviously drives at Fish's alcoholism and its true to say he probably had a few beers in his time.

They don't step out of line at all on this album, the vocals seem more refined, the music much more textured and produced, they even manage a rock out song in the shape of Incommunicado.

A great album, shame that it all went so pansy like after...tssh!!!

Marks out of 10: 9

Why did this Manchester band have such little success??, they are the best known secret of the 1980's, mixing the post punk with new wave and pop they wrote some of the best tunes from 81 - 86. However, it is this album where they captured the most poignant songs in their history. One of my all time favourite songs Second Skin appears on this album, it is a lengthy track mixing soul searching lyrics with a backdrop of sublime gentleness yet there is always a hint of mood and angst without shifting the volume upwards.

Infact the whole abulm is like that,Mark Burgess's imperfect vocals and his choice of words are simply fantastic, particualrly on Don't Fall and A person isnt safe....etc.

Compared to a post puk U2 and Simple Minds does not do them any credit at all, they are on their own having created an album here that if there were any sensible music hall of fame surely Script from the Bridge would be its beacon.

Marks Out of 10: 10