Dire Straits Appreciation Thread
 

Now I really like some of this bands music, but the best stuff to me seems to be the stuff which has gone unnoticed (not a irregular occurence..).
I own the albums :
'Dire Straits' (first album, bought this but feel the rest of the album fails to live up to 'Sultans Of Swing'.)
'Love Over Gold' (I think this is their best album in terms that it is excellent from start to finish- which no other Dire Straits album had matched that.)
'Brothers In Arms'- Which I completely dislike apart from the track 'So Far Away'. I feel this could be possibly the most overrated album of all time (IMO)
'On Every Street' - My personal favourite Dire Straits album. Simply brilliant just for the variety of different styles embraced on this album and this (IMO) is Dire Straits at their best. There are a couple of filler tracks 'Heavy Fuel' & 'The Bug' which sadly only makes it second to 'Love Over Gold' (IMO) musically speaking, but is still my personal favourite to listen to.
I also have the 'Sultans Of Swing- Best Of' album from which i heard 'Calling Elvis' & the like which prompted me to go out & buy the 'On Every Street' album.
Now, you may or may not have noticed that I am missing two albums: 'Making Movies' & 'Communique'.
I havent got round to getting them yet but will eventually- have heard the likes of 'Lady Writer' & 'Tunnel Of Love' (which is one of my favourite Dire Straits tracks) on the best of though so not totally oblivious to the albums.

As for 'Brothers In Arms', it just doesnt do anything for me, to me the 'effect' of 'Money For Nothing' & 'Walk Of Life' wear thin after a short while and the only track that still stands out to me is 'So Far Away', as for the other album tracks they have never stood out to me and to me are probably the worst songs Dire Straits ever did.
(Although commerically & socially ironic) I would actually rank
'Brothers In Arms' as one of the worst albums of all time & the worst
Dire Straits album (although I havent heard the two aforementioned ones Im still to get).
**** knows how it got so much hype & recognition which i think would have been more suitably attributed to 'On Every Street' (IMO).
Anyway I know most 'Dire Straits fans' will slate me for belittling their 'best album'.

It's sad, really. Dire Straits could use a good thread because the previous ones were not really good. When you decide to make one, you announce in the thread title that you wish Brothers in Arms to be excluded from appraisal, a popular album released at the peak of their career.

Is this a tribute thread or a poor attempt at trolling? And why do you feel the need to post all their album covers?

In your opinion perhaps, I made a thread based on my own perception of Dire Straits. So if your only interest doesnt stretch beyond worship of 'Brothers In Arms' based on (reasons given by you) 'Popular' & 'Peak of their career'. I judged it by the music I heard on it. But if thats not the factors you consider then fine.
In addition I welcolme anybody to post whatever they think about Dire Straits on this thread.
Also i think it would be boring if it was just another pointless rant about how supposedly 'great' Brothers In Arms is.
As for album covers, I see it as a simple way of educating people on their discography, but fair enough if you want to 'punish' me for breaking the one post at a time rule then so be it..
P.S. What the **** is 'trolling'????:confused:

Trolling is what trolls do.

My appreciation for Dire Straits goes beyond Brothers In Arms, from their self-titled debut to On Every Street. I just think that by putting your suggested exclusion of Brothers in Arms in the thread title, you're making a tribute thread for the band that is a bit exclusive of those who (also) appreciate Brothers in Arms which makes no sense.

If it was me, I'd just make an appreciation thread on Dire Straits and then perhaps pick on Brothers in Arms in my post if I wanted to, not in the title.

Ok well I aint a 'troll' so were safe there.....:crazy: I aint just looking to 'provoke emotional reactions' or whatever.
Maybe I didnt make this clear enough but I'm looking to hear from both sides.
People who have different perceptions of Dire Straits, as its always interesting for me to hear other peoples opinions ;
which you seem to be pretty close minded to (IMO.)
Perhaps it was a bit diversive to put something like that in the title but then again it could work the other way. Also I couldnt care what 'you would do' Ill make my own decisions thanks very much... if you want to go and make a 'better' one then go ahead. :wave:

This is interesting, "So Far Away" is actually one of the only songs on that album I don't particularly care for. Otherwise I think it's a great album, especially the more serious second half.

Hmm, So were basically the opposite of each other then? Somebody told me 'Brothers In Arms'- the last track on the album is the best, then I listened to it (along with the whole album several times attempting to 'get into it') and found nothing interesting about it at all. (or the rest of the album bar the aforementioned track.)
What about Love Over Gold? or On Every Street?

What is it that makes me seem so close minded in your opinion? I'm not ripping on you for your tastes, just your decision to bash a band's most famous album in the title of said band's tribute thread.

:p

Because it stands out and will draw interest from people who want to read and hear about the other albums rather than 'Brothers In Arms'.
Also it would work the other way, people who like 'Brothers In Arms' would be interested as to see why somebody doesnt, as I would be if someone didnt like 'On Every Street'.
You proved your narrow mindedness with your comments apparantley 'justifing' 'Brothers In Arms' as a 'great album' because of popular opinion and being released at what you consider to be the 'peak of their career'.

No, the reason I posted "peak of their career" was to indicate to you that Brothers in Arms is the album most people are familiar with. By peak of their career, I didn't mean creatively or artistically, but by pure famousness. They played arenas and had videos on MTV. Furthermore, I never wrote "great album", I wrote "popular album" for the reasons I just mentioned.

In other words, many of those who like Dire Straits will know them from that period which is part of why I think bashing Brothers in Arms in the thread title is a worse idea than, say, bashing Making Movies f.ex.

If you're out after an emotional response from all those who love brothers in arms, then perhaps that could work. That's why I asked if you were "trolling".

I love Brothers in Arms, brilliant album.

What is it you 'love' about it? Have you heard 'Love Over Gold' ?
Im not looking to provoke people but if I want people to post on my thread then its a good idea isnt it?
Well, I havent heard Making Movies if you had actually read my post where I had stated the only two i dont own are Making Movies & Communique.
Also, why should I not post it just because it contradicts 'popular' opinion, I think it should reflect my own opinion, which it did.

I like it too :D I don't think it quite reaches the high peaks of quality on their debut f.ex or On Every Street, but I think it's consistently good from start to finish. The title track is blissfull.

I also remember songs from Brothers in Arms being played on radio when I was a kid and so on, so it has massive nostalgic value for me.

I can understand where your coming from with the nostalgic value of hearing it when you were a kid, I think certain music just sticks with you.
For instance, as much as I hate Snow Patrol, I used to listen to the 'Final Straw' album when it first came out about 5 years ago and I put it on the other day and even though it isnt exactly stuff Id listen to now It still felt really good hearing it after a while and brought back some memories.

I think you kind of shot yourself in the foot if you wanted Brothers In Arms not to be disscussed by putting it in the thread title, you may as well have painted a bullseye on your arse :laughing:

I need to get into this band more. Mark Knopfler is a guitar god, one of the very best fingerstyle players in rock.

Love Over Gold made my 1001 albums list and is by far the strongest and most consistent effort by the Dire Straits.

I agree he is a very good guitarist but doesnt really showcase it in his music much. This is how I think he is a bit overrated. I have a few of his albums though, most of which I found pretty mediocre, with the exception of 'Sailing To Philadelphia' on which he does a track with James Taylor & Van Morrisson.
You should get 'On Every Street' & 'Love Over Gold' - their two best albums (IMO).
Thats the thing, I wasnt bothered if people discussed it, just I would have preferred if they had spoke about the albums I really liked 'On Every Street' & 'Love Over Gold.
Or even gave me a heads up on the 2 albums I havent got- 'Communique' & 'Making Movies'.
Ah well as for 'painting a bullseye on my arse' I wont stray from my opinion.

You did a 1001 albums list? How long did that take you lol
Yeah I agree it is definitely the most consistent by them.
I would have said 'On Every Street' if it wasnt for the couple of filler tracks on the album...

I really like Knopfler's laid-back guitar style, he really makes playing look easy sometimes. He's got some good solo albums too. "Sailing to Philadelphia" from 2000 is really good. :)

Here's a funny vid I found of them performing Sultans of Swing on some TV show in 1979. It's a live performance, but the sound isn't well synched. Mark sure looks scruffy. Someone buy that poor man a meal!

Yeah well it doesnt always have to be 'in your face' as they say, I suppose.
Ive just bought the 'Sailing To Philadelphia' album and its the third album of his solo works Ive bought before Ive been really impressed. (I first bought 'Golden Heart' & then 'Ragpicker's Dream')

Dire Straits are one of my favorite all time bands and i have been a huge fan for years, it is one of my greatest regrets that i have never seen them live. IMO they have not made a bad album...All Dire Straits albums are created equal authough some are more equal than others! unfortunatly i must agree that Brothers in Arms their weakest album, but its still a great album and made at the peak of their career and there is a unfortunate trend for people to dislike a bands most popular album, i think Boo Boo made this comment on the Chili Peppers thread...and i'm not pointing fingers at anyone here!
Making Movies is my favorite album with the classic Romeo & Juliet a song writing truimph! Tunnel of Love though being the stand out track and its also probably my favorite track of all time. The self titled debut is also supurb with the defining Sultans of Swing.
Any fans out there should check this out recorded in 1979 it shows their raw talent IMO its as good a live album as Alchemy, which does include Telegraph Road which i think is one of the greatest live tracks ever.
http://chaos.com/coverscan/2960000%5C2959226.jpg

Alright man, cool I checked out that 'Live In Germany' album you mentioned I might get it, only thing is its about a tenner on amazon lol; but if its as good as your saying.

Also I find it interesting that Making Movies is your favourite album as along with 'Communique' its one of the two albums of Dire Straits which i havent got.
As for 'Tunnel Of Love' its one of my favourite Dire Straits tracks and the outro at the end is just beautiful.
So what do you think of the other albums?
My favourite is 'On Every Street'. Most of my favourite Dire Straits songs are on that album- 'Calling Elvis', 'On Every Street' -another beautiful track,
'You & Your Friend', 'When It Comes To You', 'Iron Hand',
'Ticket To Heaven' , 'Planet Of New Orleans', 'Fade To Black'.

I also love how on Mark Knopfler's folk side comes out on 'Iron Hand'.
Also there is a track on the album which kind of has a slight jazzy feel to it but cant remember which one. Anybody?
I love this album simply because of the array of different styles explored on the album.

As for Mark Knopfler's solo works, have your heard an album called 'Sailing To Philadelphia (2000)', its the third album Ive bought of his solo works and the first time I've been overly impressed (firstly bought 'Golden Heart' & 'Ragpicker's Dream' to little satisfaction).
Heres some beautiful lyrics from a track off 'On Every Street' (see if you can guess which one). The piano work on this song is really nice.

I can see what you're looking to find
In the smile on my face
In my peace of mind
In my state of grace
I send what I can
To the man from the ministry
He's a part of heaven's plan
And he talks to me

Now I send what I can to the man
With the diamond ring
He's a part of heaven's plan
And he sure can sing
Now it's all I can afford
But the lord has sent me eternity
It's to save the little children
In a poor country

I got my ticket to heaven
And everlasting life
I got a ride all the way to paradise
I got my ticket to heaven
And everlasting life
All the way to paradise

Now there's nothing left for luxuries
Nothing left to pay my heating bill
But the good lord will provide
I know he will
So send what you can
To the man with the diamond ring
They're tuning in across the land
To hear him sing

I got my ticket to heaven
And everlasting life
I got a ride all the way to paradise
I got my ticket to heaven
And everlasting life
All the way to paradise

http://www.musicbanter.com/general-m...e-you-die.html

I only just started it. Expected to finish it sometime early 2010.

Jesus man youre ambitious, I had a quick look.
I noticed Pearl Jam's 'Vitalogy' which is one of my personal favourites of their's (probably 2nd after 'Yield').
Have you ever had the actual cd, its like a book and has lots of weird shiit inside like :
"We know little of the life of early mankind, but we are reasonably sure that some lived to be 500 & up to 900 years of age".
It also has this mad index at the back where if you go to "Itching(Private Parts)" it has this big picture of a beetle lol.

I actually think its linked to the songs in some way as there is actually one of the songs is called 'Bug'. Perhaps similar idea to Paul Weller's '22 Dreams' (if you've read the booklet(s)).

By the way I actually have a book called 1001 Albums You Must Hear Before You Die, but what i found when i bought it was that not only were there a lot of albums I owned in it, there were also a lot of albums that weren't in it that I would have liked in it.
In that book is where I first read about the likes of Sonic Youth & others I cant remember right now.

On Every Street is a very good album and the title track is beautiful, get hold of the sultans of swing DVD it has a fantastic version of On Every Street blows me away every time i watch it.
Communique is also good but not as good as some of the others. Love Over Gold would be another top pick, industrial disease is a great fun track and the original version of Telegraph Road but IMO its not as good as the live version which is so full of energy, also contains the amazing private investigations which you have to play...........4 mins 56 seconds one of the greatest guitar flares ever!!!!!

Yeah, I've searched on Youtube and seen some pretty cool videos.
Ive just purchased a live album from the 'On Every Street' period called
'On The Night'.

On the Night is a good live album awesome version of On Every Street, but if you don't have it Alchemy is a better live album.

OTT:The book is the whole reason why, I read the list and I was appalled at how lazy they were, so for my list I'm not including any albums from the list, and only one album per band. Unlike their list which managed a whopping 7 entries for the beatles, and five for radiohead and many other artists, but left out some great albums.

Yeah, I was particularly appalled when they didnt include Neil Young & Crazy Horse's 'Sleeps With Angels' album which is one of the best albums ive heard in my life!
Suppose you cant please everyone.
Also there was a lot of crap is that book such as Britney Spears & co.
By the way which version do you have, I think mines is a remastered version from 2005 or something (has a pink cover & author listed is 'Robert Dimery')

I don't have the book I've seen it in shops, and was curious, so I read the list:
Outline Page and was appalled, and glad I didn't get it.

I've never heard Love Over Gold but I though On Every Street was kind of boring.

It's not a bad list I don't think, I mean when you list 1001 albums there's not much to leave out but the really obscure stuff.

Yeah well it would be good if the obscure stuff outweighed the popular stuff or filler drivel that they put in when they must have been toiling.

I had a quick shimmy through & noticed Miles Davis' 'Birth Of The Cool'- great album.

Yeah what you think is filler drivel. You can't have a list of the top 1001 and expect to agree with every single choice.

And lists that intentionally leave out more popular albums in favor of more obscure ones tend to be rather elitist and annoying. See: Pitchfork.

My main grudge was including basically the entire discography of certain ****e bands while ignoring better, even more popular albums of other bands on the list. The entire list seemed rushed, haphazard and completely random.

Yeah I agree, but come on hear Britney Spears before you die?
Id personally rather die before I hear Britney Spears..
Yeah well if you can create a list which your happy with then sound.

In other words a lot of influencial bands you just happen not to like, you can't expect to like every album on that list.

What hes saying is that they would over document one band which he happened to dislike and totally ignore other bands who are either just as good or better.

that's usually how forums work.

i've always wanted to get more into the Straits, i have a few of Mark Knopfler's collaborations and your beloved Brothers in Arms. might be something worth looking into.