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Mark Knopfler - Kill to Get Crimson Audio CD

A fair review of the Mark Knopfler "Kill to Get Crimson" Audio CD. Please note that the below review is the views of the authors, and authors only. You can get a complete list of all Mark Knopfler reviews here, or go back to the Mark Knopfler tabs.

Mark Knopfler Band: Mark Knopfler
Title: Kill to Get Crimson
Rating:
Release Date: 2007-09-10
Media: Audio CD

Tracks: 1: True Love Will Never Fade 2: Scaffolder's Wife 3: Fizzy and the Still 4: Heart Full of Holes 5: We Can Get Wild 6: Secondary Waltz 7: Punish the Monkey 8: Let It All Go 9: Behind with the Rent 10: Fish and the Bird 11: Madame Geneva's 12: In the Sky

what happened to Planet of New Orleans?
unfortunately MK`s Kill to get Crimson is the continuation of ragpicker`s and shangri-la. . all the exciting, soulful electric playing is gone and we are left with folk numbers that work great on an autumn afternoon but will make you drowsy any other time of the year. Luckily there is plenty of great music by our Mark such as the criminally underrate On every street, check that one out if you like his softer side.


I don't love it, I just like it
He's got a laid-back approach to singing and writing. Mark Knopfler is about as reliable as they come. His fans would probably insist this means he's consistent while his haters would attribute it to stubbornness. Wringing songs from his post-Dire Straits formula does not seem like a theory that would work over the course of many albums. But what Mark sacrifices in excitement he makes up for in plain quality. Not a quality that slaps you in the face, but a quality that assures you that you will know what a new Mark Knopfler solo album will sound like before you hear it.

That being said, "Kill to Get Crimson" is even more mellow than his previous albums. Since "Sultans of Swing" will not be making a return anytime soon you need to evaluate these songs on what they have going for them; the flute lead in "The Scaffolder's Wife," the waltziness of "Secondary Waltz," "In The Sky," and "Heart Full of Holes," the addition of accordion (or perhaps it's a bandoneón), the fact that "We Can Get Wild" never, ever gets wild.

Mark's last proper album, "Shangri-La," had songs that grabbed me the moment I first heard them. "Boom, Like That," "Song for Sonny Liston," and "Donegan's Gone" all had bite, and that bite bit me and stayed with me. "Kill to Get Crimson" doesn't really have these moments. Even the two singles "True Love Will Never Fade" and "Punish the Monkey" will not relentlessly lodge themselves into your brain the first time you hear them. Nor the second, maybe.

This is a good album, just not a great one. Everyone's entitled to take a load off in their easy chairs from time to time. Mark, this can be your easy chair album.


Mellow, melancholy album tells tales with excellent guitar work
Virtually none of the pep from "Walk of Life" can be found - instead we're faced with an album of quiet, mellow tunes replete with meaningful lyrics and soulful guitars. Mark Knopfler's "Kill to Get Crimson" is about as far away from the amped-up Dire Straits albums of the late 80s and early 90s as you can get.

And that's a good thing.

This is one of those albums that's a perfect accompaniment for driving by yourself on a quiet rainy afternoon, or sitting by the fire half-reading a magazine while thinking about life, or enjoying some quiet time with friends and loved ones. The songs tell stories that should be listened to and thought about - no repetitive rock-anthem stuff here. And each song is backed by Knopfler's trademark guitar - always a pleasure.

While perhaps not an album with universal appeal, it sure as heck will be keep finding its way to the top of your playlist or back into the CD shuffle tray. Check it out.


Not Much Energy
Sure there may be a track of two with catchy chord progressions, but realistically, it's quite boring. Just keeping this short and sweet, this CD is really void of any energy. I am a big fan of MK's music, and especially his guitar playing ability, but this CD just doesn't work for me, and, it won't be one that I grab for long road trips.

Half the time, I don't have a clue as to what Mark is singing about as his voice is muddled and trails off. This is part of the "energy" that is simply missing, both in his singing and his playing. I kinda get the feeling that MK just doesn't care anymore. (On the very first track I was reaching for the controls trying to boost treble, but for some reason, it is not "crisp". . . . what's up with that? Sounds like he recorded it in his living room). I'd pass on this CD.


Becoming a fan
My husband introduced me to Mark Knopfler's music, and my appreciation has increased with each CD I listen to. This CD has some lovely melodies, and the lyrics are interesting as usual. Husband thinks some of the lyrics are a bit too grim ("Madame Geneva's", for example). I find some of them startling and some puzzling, but either way, I enjoyed the music. "True Love Will Never Fade" is a beautiful tune.


You can see a complete list of all Mark Knopfler discography, or go back to the Mark Knopfler tabs. There is also a good guide on how to read guitar tabs here.

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