A penny for your whistle, Mr. Knopfler. Seriously! I love a good pennywhistle as much as the next guy but I kept being reminded of the Titanic theme song every time (often) this Celtic trill makes an appearance. And although, I don't mean to compare this record with a sinking ship, there is a feeling of being lulled by the waves of sameness.

Is that a little harsh? I truly don't mean to be because there are some really nice songs on this album...if they are taken one at a time...maybe two at a time. But a whole album of them listened to from start to finish kind of numbs the senses. It's a lovely album for listening to on a rainy Sunday afternoon with a newspaper spread all around and dozing a pre-requisite. Is it consistent? Or repetitive? I guess that depends on the listener.

This Celtic under, um ...make that OVERtone, is not new to the world of a solo Mark Knopfler. This is his 6th solo record since Dire Straits days and he excels at creating little histories and characters. I picture him in an old English lodge with a cheery fire, a couple of Irish setters by his side, muddy hunting boots on, cleaning a musket with a howling wind knocking at the windows. Not a bad vibe at all but I feel like he's gotten stuck there. Every so often there's an unmistakeable Knopfler guitar punctuation, but for the most part, the brilliant guitar playing is playing second fiddle to the atmospheric intentions. And speaking of fiddles, there are strings swelling in several songs. I'm not ready for Mantovani Knopfler.

There are many who probably yearn for a Dire Straits redux. I'm not necessarily one of them. The solo "Sailing to Philadelphia" is one of my most favorite songs EVER. And it is one of the kinds of songs that I describe above and it is gorgeous perfection. And again, any of these songs on here possibly COULD be perfection except for the fact that they all seem to reflect each other. Again, consistent? Or repetitive?

Knopfler's voice and guitar (not just the style but the actual sound) are so unique that there's never a question of mistaking that it's him. But it's starting to feel like we're getting too much of the same. And there's no question that he's still entirely capable of writing a great story and a great song and then playing it. But he needs to open the windows of that lodge and let the howling wind hit him in the face. And he needs to put down the pennywhistle.