(1) Two pairs of hands

[GIUMK]

I just finished listening to the song, it's very beautiful, especially the riff that repeats: it's been a while since Mark did guitar riffs that repeat during the song.  I like it a lot, but I think AOTG is much more radio-friendly and closer to the sound of the DS.

[Dutchessy]

Something is missing in this song… a bridge   

To compensate he put a bridge on the album cover

[Alex_melilla]

In the epk1 the intro is longer or maybe parts are glued together

[hunter v2.0]

Something is missing in this song… a bridge   

To compensate he put a bridge on the album cover

 

[quizzaciously]

Something is missing in this song… a bridge   

To compensate he put a bridge on the album cover

 

LOL! The song really has this Redbud Tree vibe and I remember this opener took me years to fall in love with it. Redbud Tree also doesn't have a bridge, however at least it had a minor/major flavoured chorus. Two Pairs Of Hands feels too minor and monotonous to me, some touch of major or a bridge wouldn't hurt indeed. I guess I just need to find a way to like the song as usual. It's an opener!

I guess Mark liked to open a tour with 'Broken Bones' in 2019 so much, he replicated the experience on the new album.

[Dutchessy]

In the epk1 the intro is longer or maybe parts are glued together

Middle part of the song

[dmg]

I heard a lick in the song I recognised but couldn't place and this morning it came to me: Nobody Does That (the solo).  Now I am at peace!

[Rolo]

I think that the song is GREAT!
Catchy groove and harmony.
Simple and effective (and has some nice details too)

Who cares if the guitar groove is a rendition of Redbud Tree, Broken Bones and Nobody Does That.
Same guitar licks? Mark always repeats himself. Of course he kind of have stabilished his style since Shangri-La. But it it what it is.
Weak lyrics? Naaaa... not everything needs to be a poem.

Ahead Of The Game - 4/10
Watch Me Gone - 1/10 (i hated it)
Two Pair Of Hands - 7/10

Based on JF analysis, this album will be much better than DTRW

[JF]

I think that the song is GREAT!
Catchy groove and harmony.
Simple and effective (and has some nice details too)

Who cares if the guitar groove is a rendition of Redbud Tree, Broken Bones and Nobody Does That.
Same guitar licks? Mark always repeats himself. Of course he kind of have stabilished his style since Shangri-La. But it it what it is.
Weak lyrics? Naaaa... not everything needs to be a poem.

Ahead Of The Game - 4/10
Watch Me Gone - 1/10 (i hated it)
Two Pair Of Hands - 7/10

Based on JF analysis, this album will be much better than DTRW

thanks. not really an analysis though, only first impressions 

[dmg]

I think that the song is GREAT!
Catchy groove and harmony.
Simple and effective (and has some nice details too)

Who cares if the guitar groove is a rendition of Redbud Tree, Broken Bones and Nobody Does That.
Same guitar licks? Mark always repeats himself. Of course he kind of have stabilished his style since Shangri-La. But it it what it is.
Weak lyrics? Naaaa... not everything needs to be a poem.

Ahead Of The Game - 4/10
Watch Me Gone - 1/10 (i hated it)
Two Pair Of Hands - 7/10

Based on JF analysis, this album will be much better than DTRW

I agree.  It may borrow bits from here and there but it sounds typical Mark Knopfler solo.  It also sounds better than most which is great.

[koobaa]

Can't get enough of this track. I have to pace myself otherwise it will get overplayed quickly. Really loving it, maybe because I like JJ Cale stuff so much and this one is Cajun Moon on steroids! Bravo Mark.

[Robson]

"Cajun Moon on steroids!

That's nice

[Banjo99uk]

Can't get enough of this track. I have to pace myself otherwise it will get overplayed quickly. Really loving it, maybe because I like JJ Cale stuff so much and this one is Cajun Moon on steroids! Bravo Mark.

Totally agree, best one yet. I love JJ Cale as well and it’s almost as if he was still with us.

[Iron Hand]

And now we know that the title line is a genuine malapropism, and a good one at that. "I've only got two pairs of hands" = either "I've only got two hands" or "I've only got one pair of hands".

[Junkie Doll]

I really like this one, another great song from the new album!

Although for the first few seconds I thought I had Early Bird on, I even sang "Got no books in my house". Very reminiscent. I wonder if anyone else noticed it.