Released 19 years ago this October
Kill to Get Crimson
Mark Knopfler · 2007
57 min · 12 tracks · blues
A reflective blend of folk-infused melodies and intricate storytelling wrapped in Knopfler's signature guitar work.
Top tracks — play these first
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True Love Will Never Fade — This opening track sets the tone with its poignant lyrics about enduring love and features a lush arrangement that showcases Knopfler's guitar mastery.
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The Scaffolder’s Wife — A narrative-driven song that paints a vivid picture of everyday life, it highlights Knopfler's storytelling prowess and ability to evoke emotion through simple yet powerful imagery.
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Heart Full of Holes — This track combines melancholic lyrics with a rich melody, encapsulating themes of loss and longing while demonstrating Knopfler's signature fingerstyle guitar technique.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
Knopfler's storytelling and guitar work create a distinctive sound, though it may not resonate widely beyond his fanbase.
What we noticed
- The first three tracks feature a steady mid-tempo rhythm, while the fourth introduces a slower pace with a more reflective tone.
- The lyrics across the album often tell stories or paint vivid imagery, with a focus on personal and introspective themes.
- Composition 25% of the score
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7/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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8/10
- Durability 25% of the score
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6/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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8/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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7/10
the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics
production, performance, arrangement
whether it rewards returning to it
whether it sounds like itself
running order, pacing, length
Known within its scene. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.
Is this for you?
Good fit if you like
- steady, consistent energy levels
- long, immersive listening sessions
- reflective storytelling moments
- gradual builds and payoffs
Where this album fits
- In the catalog
- Deep Cut — Solid entry in Knopfler's catalog with reflective themes, not a standout for wider recognition.
- Career context
- Released on October 23, 2007, 'Kill to Get Crimson' is Mark Knopfler's fifth solo album, following the critically acclaimed 'Shangri-La' from 2004. At this stage in his career, Knopfler was solidifying his reputation as a solo artist while also delving deeper into narrative songwriting, moving away from the rock-centric sound of Dire Straits.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Dire Straits· James Taylor· Lyle Lovett
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
- 1 True Love Will Never Fade 4:21
- 2 The Scaffolder’s Wife 3:52
- 3 The Fizzy and the Still 4:07
- 4 Heart Full of Holes 6:36
- 5 We Can Get Wild 4:18
- 6 Secondary Waltz 3:43
- 7 Punish the Monkey 4:38
- 8 Let It All Go 5:18
- 9 Behind With the Rent 4:48
- 10 The Fish and the Bird 3:45
- 11 Madame Geneva’s 3:59
- 12 In the Sky 7:31
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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