Best Album of 2024

Dec 19, 2024

3 minutes

Note to Self: It seems like I’ll have a harder time with this year’s traditional “Best Album of” list compared to last year. Mahashmashana exceeded my expectations—well done, Father John Misty! But Mark’s One Deep River holds a special place for me. My trip to Newcastle this year had a significant impact on that.

Mark Knopfler returns after a six-year hiatus with One Deep River, his tenth solo record and a testament to his enduring artistry. Since retiring Dire Straits in the mid-'90s, Knopfler has carved out a consistent and distinctly personal soundscape, blending elements of blues, country, folk, and Celtic traditions into his signature roots rock. Now a revered elder statesman of rock, Knopfler continues to write with the clarity and craftsmanship that have defined his career.

Like its predecessor, 2018’s Down the Road Wherever, One Deep River doesn’t seek to reinvent the wheel. Instead, it offers a masterful collection of songs that feel both familiar and fresh, showcasing Knopfler’s gift for storytelling and his subtle, evocative guitar work.

The album opens with “Ahead of the Game,” a breezy, shuffling track that instantly feels like a Knopfler classic. With its irresistible riff and lyrics capturing the restless life of a road band—“it was nothing but the hits in a room downtown, they’re noisy as hell, but nice”—it’s the kind of slice-of-life songwriting Knopfler excels at.

Elsewhere, the rugged “Scavenger’s Yard” dives into swampy blues, while the introspective “Watch Me Go” offers a gentle meditation on regret and resilience. Knopfler’s penchant for storytelling shines on tracks like “Tunnel 13,” a vivid tale of a robbery, and “Janine,” which paints a dusty portrait of a forgotten boomtown.

The album’s emotional anchor, however, lies in its title track, “One Deep River.” A poignant ode to the River Tyne in Newcastle, Knopfler’s childhood home, the song ties together themes of nostalgia, identity, and the passage of time. Its understated beauty perfectly closes the record, reminding listeners of the enduring landmarks—both physical and emotional—that shape a life.

One Deep River reaffirms Mark Knopfler’s place as one of rock’s great storytellers. At this stage in his career, he’s less concerned with breaking new ground than with celebrating the enduring power of a well-crafted song. And with this album, he delivers just that: another set of timeless tunes from an artist who remains firmly ahead of the game.