(2) Ahead of the game

[Jules]

"pity all the songs look short so I am not expecting much guitar playing"

How long are the songs?

Between 3 and 4 minutes, very few of them have 5 minutes.

[Beryl]

Not for me personally, just no meat on the bones with this one. Sounds like a B side or bonus track. Seems to lack melody like many of the songs in the last decade, same chords and rhythm as many songs in that era. Waiting on the next ones, pity all the songs look short so I am not expecting much guitar playing

Exactly.
Musically, the new song is good enough for me but it is sad to confirm that he's still plagiaring himself mercylessly some of his old musical ideas, as he did in DTRW. The riff is recycled from 38 Special and the verse is litteraly carboncopied from the verses from The Car Was The One. Put it all in the mixer with a new groove and there you have it.

[jabbathehut]

Song is fine and an enjoyable listen that doesn't break any new ground  but  based on previous singles probably not representative of the album .

[superval99]

I like the song very much, especially the riff!        Parts of the melody is reminiscent of The Car Was The One.

[dmg]

A million times better than Good On You, Son.  I like this one quite a lot.  A good lick and beat that brings to mind a train rolling on and on.  I'm just looking at the High Level Bridge on the picture as I'm listening to it and hearing the bogey's hammer overhead.

[Love Expresso]

A million times better than Good On You, Son.  I like this one quite a lot.  A good lick and beat that brings to mind a train rolling on and on.  I'm just looking at the High Level Bridge on the picture as I'm listening to it and hearing the bogey's hammer overhead.

Love these words, very nice described what I think myself.

LE

[Robson]

It's nothing but the hits in a room downtown
They're noisy as hell but nice
People don't usually get to play in there
More than a time or twice
You had you a regular spot
They were even advertising your name
Better than the usual thing you got
Staying just ahead of the game
Ahead of the game


And I can't tell you one thing new
About playing for the door
Some of my dreams back there too
With the sawdust on the floor
We're worn out and weary, all of us
But we know why we came
Banged up and battered like this old bus
Staying just ahead of the game
Ahead of the game


The sky's as big as nowhere
Which is where we've been
Left a dream behind there somewhere
You've got to have a dream


I gave your buddy a ride to the train
He was telling me he'd be back
It was a red light shining, love in vain
When we rolled across the tracks
Barista-bartender selling beat-up car
Needs a ticket for a bus or a plane
Singer-songwriter heading for home
Staying just ahead of the game
Ahead of the game

I wonder if Mark was thinking about himself.

[Robson]

I wonder if Mark was thinking about himself.

[ChrisGlastonbury]

As a DS fan who only came to his solo stuff in the last few years this is the first time I've ever listened to a MK single the day it came out, and it'll be the first album of his I buy on the day of release. So it's hard to judge, because it is quite emotional hearing what is likely a swansong for him. But my first thought was I like it; it's not groundbreaking or extraordinary but it has a great tone and feel.

Looking forward to the album.

[Knopflerfan]

Really like this little song, a precursor for greater things to come...

[KnopfleRick]

Wonderful new song. Love it!  His voice and the production sound so great. This is pure Mark Knopfler. 
After the long wait I had to shed a trear when I heart this song for the first time.

[Knut]

"Solid" is my first response. Nothing spectacular, but it has some groove to it. Looking forward to the rest of the album!

[TJ]

Not for me personally, just no meat on the bones with this one. Sounds like a B side or bonus track. Seems to lack melody like many of the songs in the last decade, same chords and rhythm as many songs in that era. Waiting on the next ones, pity all the songs look short so I am not expecting much guitar playing

Exactly.
Musically, the new song is good enough for me but it is sad to confirm that he's still plagiaring himself mercylessly some of his old musical ideas, as he did in DTRW. The riff is recycled from 38 Special and the verse is litteraly carboncopied from the verses from The Car Was The One. Put it all in the mixer with a new groove and there you have it.

Haven't listened yet, but hearing it described as a mashup of .38 Special and The Car Was the One has me pretty apprehensive.

[Robson]

Not for me personally, just no meat on the bones with this one. Sounds like a B side or bonus track. Seems to lack melody like many of the songs in the last decade, same chords and rhythm as many songs in that era. Waiting on the next ones, pity all the songs look short so I am not expecting much guitar playing

Exactly.
Musically, the new song is good enough for me but it is sad to confirm that he's still plagiaring himself mercylessly some of his old musical ideas, as he did in DTRW. The riff is recycled from 38 Special and the verse is litteraly carboncopied from the verses from The Car Was The One. Put it all in the mixer with a new groove and there you have it.

Haven't listened yet, but hearing it described as a mashup of .38 Special and The Car Was the One has me pretty apprehensive.

But Ahead Of The Game is not a copy of anything. There will always be similarities, but you cannot give in to suggestions 

[Love Expresso]

Not for me personally, just no meat on the bones with this one. Sounds like a B side or bonus track. Seems to lack melody like many of the songs in the last decade, same chords and rhythm as many songs in that era. Waiting on the next ones, pity all the songs look short so I am not expecting much guitar playing

Exactly.
Musically, the new song is good enough for me but it is sad to confirm that he's still plagiaring himself mercylessly some of his old musical ideas, as he did in DTRW. The riff is recycled from 38 Special and the verse is litteraly carboncopied from the verses from The Car Was The One. Put it all in the mixer with a new groove and there you have it.

Haven't listened yet, but hearing it described as a mashup of .38 Special and The Car Was the One has me pretty apprehensive.

And I would never have named these two songs to describe the song. If I would have to name one song it would be "Let's See You", but from very far.  Isn't it funny what we all hear..

LE