2007-10-24
Leaving aside the sonic bombast and tongue in check songs that marked his work with Dire Straits, Mark Knopfler has crafted a disc of quiet charm and reflection. With the exception of the sinister sounding, quasi-rocking, "Punish the Monkey" the songs on this disc move by at an unhurried pace allowing you to focus on the lyrics about everything from the dreaded 6th grade dance, "Secondary Waltz", to an introspective ode about finding a mate, "True Love Will Never Fade", to a wistful look at getting old, "Heart Full of Hole" and a bittersweet lament about giving up dreams, "Let it all go". Throughout, Knopfler’s elegant guitar work fits alongside all manner of woodwinds, percussion and strings to create the sort of rich sonic pallet that has led to his many successful movie soundtracks. Like J.J. Cale, Knopfler can hit pretty hard even while keeping things spare and quiet. SmittyEliot Lipp
Watch the Shadows
JOSEPH ARTHUR AND THE LONELY ASTRONAUTS
Temporary People
MIKE KEY
IT'S ABOUT TIME
JOAN OSBORNE
Pretty Little Stranger
Mark Stoermer
Dark Arts
CLAP YOUR HANDS SAY YEAH
Hysterical
The opinions expressed in these reviews are those of the individual volunteers that submitted the article and do not necessarily reflect the views of WYCE or GRCMC; nor its staff, donors, or affiliates.