Building on last year’s Grammy®-nominated All The Roadrunning collaboration with Emmylou Harris, his highest charting non Dire Straits album to date Top 20 Pop, scanning 400,000 copies in the U.S. acclaimed singer-songwriter guitarist Mark Knopfler unveils his fifth solo album, Kill To Get Crimson. While certain to appeal to his loyal fan base, the album’s artful guitar rock will also entice new fans to Knopfler’s signature sound (he’s #27 on Rolling Stone’s 100 Greatest Guitarists Of All Time), instantly recognizable vocals and smart lyrics. A multiple-Grammy winner who has sold more than 110 million albums worldwide, Knopfler remains one of rock’s most admired artists.
Mark Knopfler Photos
More from Mark Knopfler
All the Roadrunning
Shangri-La
The Ragpicker's Dream
Sailing to Philadelphia
Neck and Neck
One Take Radio Sessions [EP] [LIVE]
Real Live Roadrunning (with DVD) [LIVE]
Golden Heart
Screenplaying [SOUNDTRACK]
Private Investigations: The Best of Dire Straits & Mark Knopfler
Average Customer Review:
Write an online review and share your thoughts with other customers.
2 of 2 found the following review helpful:
Mellow, melancholy album tells tales with excellent guitar workFeb 13, 2009 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. 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.
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.
2 of 5 found the following review helpful:
Not Much EnergyDec 30, 2008 Just keeping this short and sweet, this CD is really void of any energy. Sure there may be a track of two with catchy chord progressions, but realistically, it's quite boring. 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.
2 of 2 found the following review helpful:
Becoming a fanDec 04, 2008 This CD has some lovely melodies, and the lyrics are interesting as usual. My husband introduced me to Mark Knopfler's music, and my appreciation has increased with each CD I listen to. 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.
2 of 2 found the following review helpful:
Not just a bunch of fickle tunes for fickle fansNov 22, 2008 Gone now are those marvelous guitar solos, charged with energy yet seemingly effortlessly controlled as, for instance, the Basel live version of "Sultans of Swing". But still very apparent in this CD is the ability to tell a story in a song and to express emotion on the guitar. Knopfler has moved on, and although the youthful energy is no longer there, his art has not diminished, and that puts him in another league from any other musician that I know.
The quality of the music is toned down but still very apparent. Some of the story songs are certainly by comparison to his classic stuff a bit quaint - like "The Scaffolder's Wife" and "Secondary Waltz" - and they are not the stuff that invites listening over and over again. But they are well done and not just throwaways, although perhaps they require the listener to be beyond a certain age.
The rest of the CD has a lot more understatement and more staying power. Songs such as "Behind with the Rent" and "In the Sky" are gems that are beautifully done. As a whole the lyrics are subtle and clever. The guitar says much in a quiet way.
1 of 1 found the following review helpful:
Superb storytelling Oct 30, 2008 The lyrics and the scenes described are just wonderful. Listen and you will understand.
based on 117 reviews
