Dire Straits-Brothers In Arms

Record Label: Warner Brothers
Year: 1985
Track listing:
01. so far away
02. money for nothing
03. walk of life
04. your latest trick
05. why worry
06. ride across the river
07. this man’s too strong
08. one world
09. brothers in arms

Have you ever found yourself listening to an album that you first bought years ago, and haven't listened to in a while?
Did the memories of why you love the band, and the album just come rushing back? This happens to me every once in a while. Take Kiss' Creatures Of The Night or AC/DC's Back In Black.

This time around it was Dire Straits' Brothers In Arms. I have had this album since I was eight years old in some form or another. Listening to this CD tonight, the memories just came flooding back. Not just the memories of "Money For Nothing" - the very bad video-clip that was very good at the time, but the memory of how much I love this album. I remember when I first bought it on cassette, I played it over and over and over again until my dad threatened to throw the cassette in the bin if I continued to do so.

So what's so special about this album? Is it Mark Knopfler's gruff vocals or brilliant guitar playing? (Not in the same brilliance that I would class Hendrix, Frehley, Vai, or Satriani but definitely right up there.)

Maybe it's the memories of how "Money For Nothing" was the 'it' video-clip at the time, despite the fact it was taking a major swipe at MTV, and mocking the way we are obsessed with an evolving popular culture. I think, perhaps, it is all of these things and more that makes this album so special.

Each song on this album is diverse and eclectic from the Caribbean-feel instruments in "Ride Across The River" to the sax in "Your Last Trick".
Then there are the much-used synthisers in songs such as "Money For Nothing", and "Walk Of Life".
Who but Mark Knopfler could write an album in the Caribbean filled with such desolation, war, love gone wrong and the blues?

Probably one of the standouts for me on the album is the title track "Brothers In Arms".
From the beginning of the song it captivates. With the thunderstorm opening, to the haunting guitar solos and whispery vocals.
As Knopfler sings an ode about ancient Scotland and war, there is a strong interplay between his vocals and his guitar. If you close your eyes, you can almost imagine them becoming one. The imagery Knopfler weaves is that powerful.

This is an album that all lovers of fine guitars and even finer lyrics should have. It was the most successful studio album for Dire Straits, and it's not hard to see why it was also one of the biggest selling albums of the 1980's.
There is no point saying which song should not be missed, because none of them should be. Brothers In Arms has stood the test of time and is arguably one of best rock albums in history. Listen to it loudly, and enjoy it as much as I have.

I give it 5/5
You can buy Brothers In Arms here
Mark Knopfler's officiate site
David Knopfler's official site
Hal Lindes' official site
Guy Fletcher's official site