AMIT first impressions

[Marnix]

I didn’t had much high expectations but I am totally surprised how good it is.  Although some bonustracks should have been on the regular album.

[hunter v2.0]

If I may say so, this is an autumn album, not a spring album, it’s so melancholic, ideal for the spooky season 

Totally agree. I actually think it's "wrong" to release it now.

I've had my first listen now (VPN, Youtube Music), and I have to say it's better than I feared. It is not groundbreaking, and you can trace many bits and pieces from earlier albums. The recording quality is great as expected. I especially like the spaciousness of the production, and the shorter-than-usual running length feels just right. It is mostly a slow album, and apart from Scavenger's Yard, there's a certain sameness to the songs - which I actually find works well and gives the album unity - but had the album been longer, it would really have started to drag.

Overall I find it to be a good album, but not a great one. It's too similar to everything else Mark has done. I feel it is like a cross between Golden Heart / Sailing to Philadelphia and Kill To Get Crimson: It has the mood of KTGC and the sound of GH/STP (much due to Greg Leisz), if that makes any sense. The album could do with some more punch and energy in places, though. Not necessarily "rockers", but just some more oomph.

- The three singles were some of the weakest tracks for me, Two Pairs of Hands especially. But as usual, never judge an album by its single(s).
- I really liked Smart Money. It has a strong Notting Hillbillies vibe, especially the guitar playing. I wonder if it's the black Pensa Suhr. The sound reminds me of Water of Love played by NHB.
- The guitar playing varies a lot in quality, I feel. In some places it really feels like good old Mark, and in other places it sounds like, well, just old Mark. Stiff and uninspired.
- A lot of you love Tunnel 13. I think it's OK.
- The standout track for me is Scavenger's Yard. It's wacky, wild and dark, and it's a direction I wish Mark would go in. I envision Arkham Asylum (from Batman) when I hear it. The way Mark sings "Welcome" at some point is fantastic. He's so good with voices.

[SlowLearner]

The album was well worth the wait of nearly 6 years. It's very strong on first listen. Wish I could also hear Dolly Shop Man, Wrong'Un, Chess and Your Leading Man, but hopefully soon.
Anyway, Knopfler really is one deep river indeed. We knew that before, but it's confirmed yet again. Such an emotional album with wonderful melodies and beautiful guitar playing. So many lovely details. Very reflective of the past and quite aware that the end may well be near soon. If this is the last one, what a way to go out. Hopefully it won't be and won't happen soon.
I think the three singles are much better as album tracks, as the album has a good flow mostly. Love so many songs already. Need to warm up to Sweeter Than The Rain still, my least favorite song so far (very similar to Fish And The Bird).
Based on reviews I've read, I think Smart Money, Fat Chance Dupree and Nothing But Rain are some of the most underrated songs already, there might be a few more.
Mark's voice is great throughout and so is his guitar playing.
I believe the album doesn't really overstay its welcome, I believe it's just right, when it comes to length and the overall picture. I don't believe that anything is too forced or overdone. I believe it's just fine in that regard.
I would like to say that I loved every Knopfler studio album so far (even Dire Straits) and I like nearly all the songs.
This is definitely some of the best stuff for me that I've listened to from him.
And I also like to say that I think lyrically the album is pretty impressive as well. Mark pulls off very unique rhyming techniques unlike I've seen him do before. It's brilliant. Very unpredictable rhyming ability that keeps your attention.
And of course his phrasing and way of words and the different voices - it's all great.
Long overdue but well worth the wait.

[Knut]

Seems like the main album went on youtube a few hours ago.

Nothing really bad, but nothing standout, either. Sounds like something you'd put on and have in the background while doing other stuff. DTRW has some interesting tracks I come back to now and then, this not so much. Scavenger's yard has a cool sound, though - probably that one track I really enjoy here. Ahead of the game is also decent enough.

[Beryl]

After just one listening, this is very good. Lots of evocative ideas beautifully executed and with only a very moderate amount of auto plagiarism. One of his finest albums ever, and it seems time has helped after his very worst record (which is by far the terrible DTRW). And guitar everywhere (amazing Greg Leisz by the way), lots more in ghis album than the previous and very poor predecessor. No flashing riffs but who cares.
And to those who say that it's slow: I, as MK, also happen to be older and quieter, and I love the approach. He's 74, damnit. Twisting By The Pool would ve just ridiculous.

[richardmu]

Agree that this miles and miles better than DTRW which I have never taken off the shelf after getting it all those years ago. I could see myself listening to this album in its entirety now and again.

[border_reiver]

I had high hopes for this one when they brought Greg Leisz onboard. Great opportunity for some rockers I thought.

Then reports were saying it was a slow one. And I kind of lost a huge chunk of interest.

But did a full 360. It's much more even than DTRW which had a few awful songs. Maybe I've matured in taste but most of these are savoury classics. Not many skippers at all. And there's the beauty of this record.

This is a record that should be enjoyed slowly along with a glass of red wine, or two.

It's obvious that MK is aware of that the career is on the last stretch giving this record a whole variety of emotions. One Swedish reviewer says it well.

"A low-key Knopfler has found his way home."

Can't wait to hear the bonus tracks and the EP!

[border_reiver]

Although some bonustracks should have been on the regular album.

Classic MK 

[hunter v2.0]

I just had a second careful listen this morning, with good headphones fed from my hifi system, accompanied by a delicious cappuccino. This time I read the lyrics while listening. That makes all the difference.

This is not an album meant as background music, with a little bit of this and that, for a bit of light entertainment. Initially it may come across as just another MK album, but I feel Mark has really put his heart into this one, and digging into the lyrics is required to open it up.

As @kaleo74 said above, this is an album for the autumn, by a man and artist in his sunset years sensing that his time on earth is coming to an end. That makes the album different and much more personal, and it takes on an existential and philosophical dimension. That dimension has been present before in his work, but not like now, for a whole album. In view of this, I feel the music becomes less important to me, and the way they have made the music totally support the lyrics works really, really well. (The music IS beautiful, though. It just doesn't draw so much attention to itself.)

I mentioned earlier that Scavengers Yard was my favorite - and it is - but now I actually feel it is too different from the overall vibe of the album. But, man, it's a fantastic song. "Welcome, the bag man's home" 

So, One Deep River is one deep river, and once again I've been reminded to not judge an album by its singles nor to really pay attention to people's first impression.

Edit: And again, the shorter running time makes the album perfect for careful listening in one sitting.

[dustyvalentino]

Interesting. Made me think about the NYT review of Paul Simon's last album which had this quote:

“Seven Psalms” sounds like a last testament from the 81-year-old Paul Simon. It's an album akin to David Bowie's “Blackstar” and Leonard Cohen's “You Want It Darker,” which those songwriters made as mortality loomed; they each died days after the albums were released.

[Love Expresso]

Blimey, GZ Media even managed to deliver the 2CD Edition with sprinkled dirty spots UNDER the shrinkwrap. 

LE

[Fletch]

Interesting. Made me think about the NYT review of Paul Simon's last album which had this quote:

“Seven Psalms” sounds like a last testament from the 81-year-old Paul Simon. It's an album akin to David Bowie's “Blackstar” and Leonard Cohen's “You Want It Darker,” which those songwriters made as mortality loomed; they each died days after the albums were released.

I think I'll be in the minority when I say I'm not really enjoying this 'straight-forward' auto-biographical era of MK. From One Song at a Time he's been quite direct in a way he never was on After the Beanstalk. Hearing the final stanza of Tunnel 13 is quite a shock, he never would have wrote "and this is where I used to walk" at the end of 5:15am! This new style of lyrical expression has taken me out of my MK comfort zone.
Similarly, it's very difficult to listen to Before My Train Comes and NOT think MK is being quite direct here, I'm a bit sad, but it's a first day listening so.. y'know, it's challenging.

[dustyvalentino]

Blimey, GZ Media even Manager to deliver the 2CD Edition with sprinkled dirty spots UNDER the shrinkwrap. 

LE

Lol, would love to see inside that factory!

[neco]

I have to admit i expected less guitar work.. but guitar is everywhere that is really nice! I feel that MK is doing much more guitar work on his own than on DTRW, almost in every song he is on acoustic (fingerpicking or strumming) AND electric.. sometimes even several electric guitars (Scavenger, Tunnel 13…). Lovely!

[the visitor]

I'm more of a self confessed DS than MK solo fan.  Got to say though that this really hits the Mark for me (no pun intended).  So incredibly personal songs from a first listen, and a proper journey through an album. 

Let's face it,  this is an album about mortality... and you can almost pinpoint the point of passing during the later stages of the album.  In this way it's really sad, but very moving.  I like it for an MK album and I feel like he's done himself justice.