Editorial Reviews:
Amazon.com
Three decades after Dire Straits broke onto the scene with their remarkable debut, Mark Knopfler remains an iconic figure in popular music, his graceful guitar playing equaled only by his genial baritone and a novelist's ability to create distinct characters and themes in his songs. His fifth solo album since he pulled the plug on the band in 1995, Crimson reflects on a torrent of narratives, from the gracefully aging spouse in the flute-powered ballad "The Scaffolder's Wife" to the valiant down-and-outer in the Scottish folk song "Heart Full of Holes." Employing accordions, fiddles, and horns as majestic accompaniment, Knopfler drifts into the Celtic-tinged melodies of his past, explicitly in the whiskey-soaked singalong "Secondary Waltz," the busker's saga "Madame Geneva's," and "The Fish and the Bird," with its vagabond pensiveness. Clocking in at just under an hour, the album--without any page-turning epic--plays instead like an anthology of written works, every personification crisp in definition, every story exquisitely told. --Scott Holter
Amazon.com
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 | 
Night in London (1996) | 
Ragpicker's Dream [LIMITED EDITION] [ENHANCED] [EXTRA TRACKS] [IMPORT] |
Album Description
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-songwriterguitarist 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.
| Customer Reviews: Read 99 more reviews...
 what a disappointment April 25, 2008
0 out of 3 found this review helpful
This is a huge anticlimax after All The Roadrunning. Undistinguished and dull songs for the most part. But what is unforgivable is that Knopfler has literally, passage-by-passage, copied from the Italian songwriter and performer, Paolo Conti. Did Knopfler really believe that noone would notice?
sleeping aid April 22, 2008
0 out of 3 found this review helpful
Knopfler is beginning to sound a lot like Burl Ives. Good music to snooze to.
 Nobody's going to kill to get this one April 4, 2008
0 out of 3 found this review helpful
I really like most of Knopfler's solo works, but Kill To Get Crimson is just too bland. The lyrics tell some interesting stories, but musically, the tunes are neither catchy nor memorable, and the tempos are too homogenous (with the lone exception of the more upbeat "Punish The Monkey"). Perhaps more egregious is that none of the songs highlight Knopfler's uniquely stellar guitar skills, nor do any showcase his ability to rock. There's nothing outright bad on this disc, but it lacks spark. Nobody's going to kill to get Kill To Get Crimson.
 Give it a chance March 29, 2008
3 out of 3 found this review helpful
So many negative reviews and comments about this CD. Yes, it's different from earlier works of his. But different doesn't necessarily mean bad. If you're accepting only a similar sound to a previous work, you shouldn't buy this CD. This CD definitely has its own sound. It is not a "rocking - turn up the volume" CD. It's a great CD simply to play. Perhaps it is the slightly mellowing Knopfler that turns away the hard-core rockers. Too bad if so.
I readily admit my first couple of plays through this CD were met with skepticism, as the songs and mood represented a change from earlier solo efforts. Being a huge fan of Sailing to Philadelphia and Shangri-La, I was hoping for more of the same, and took a step back at first. That said, I took the CD to my car to give it a solid week of listening while driving to/from work. If I wasn't going to like it, a week's listening would prove the point. That was months ago and it's still in the car.
I wouldn't expect anyone to stand up and claim to like every song on this CD, and indeed there are a few I don't care for. But how many CD's can make a claim that every song is great? Music strikes everyone in a unique way. If you are one of the people who borrowed this for one listen or two and gave up on it, I recommend you try again. Listen to it more than just a couple of times, and I would guess you'll come away with an appreciation for a lot of what's on this CD. I found many songs that not only grew on me, I can listen to them again and again as with previous Knopfler works. And there is plenty of excellent guitar work throughout this CD, both electric and acoustic. My preferences:
Behind with the Rent - to me this is vintage Knopfler. Outstanding music, great guitar, great story, and my personal favorite.
Punish the Monkey - the most rocking song on the CD, and worthy of increased volume. A fun listen. Possibly Enron's theme song (belated).
Madame Geneva's - a place we've all been, keeping demons away. The refrain will stick with you long after the song stops.
In the Sky - an acoustic gem. I continue to like this song more as I hear it. And a bit of sax adds an interesting sound to the ending.
True Love Will Never Fade - A bit of the "5:15 am" format from Shangri-La, as the song starts out quiet with not much more than Mark and his guitar and picks up from there. It's another song that sticks with you.
There are some great new sounds on a few songs. The Scaffolder's Wife has the unmistakable sound of Knopfler guitar, but adds a flute. I realize this might seem like a strange combination, but it works well. The Secondary Waltz is a sound all to itself, with an accordian waltz track throughout. The words bring some of us older folks back to the days of our youth, hesitant to learn dancing in the gym where (gasp) we might have to touch girls. Even my kids like to sing along with this song.
Overall, I've really grown to like this CD and am glad I have it. Yes, it's somewhat different for Mark Knopfler music. And yes, it's great. Just give it a chance.
Knopfler is King March 16, 2008
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
This new album once again proves that Mark Knopfler is one of the premier songwriters working today. These aren't just songs--they're stories. He makes you see the characters--like the Scaffolder's Wife, or the kid learning to waltz for the upcoming Christmas dance-- real people. Knopfler is a treasure in a world of throwaway junk.
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