Reviews (page 10 of 16)
Didn’t know I was going to enjoy that Sultans of swing is 10/10
Gorgeous, I can't lie though I was waiting for Sultan's of swing the whole time (fun fact I heard this for the first time in a coop near my uni house and I was looking around like is nobody hearing this absolute masterpiece?! Standout tracks: - Southbound again 4/5 - Sultan's of swing (one of the best songs of all time) 5/5
All good songs here.
Dire straits Really dig the guitar. Some cool 70’s vibes. Six blade knife was cool. Like the groovy rhythm guitars on Southbound again. Sultans of Swing is a classic. Wild West End was nice. Cool album cover too -not what I would think to pair with the music. 3.5 to 4
Man everything is kinda perfect about this album, but it still just feels a little stale to me. But the grooves, guitar playing, tones of all the instruments and production is all flawless. It has a little JJ cale energy at times. I feel bad giving it a 3 because i liked it so much more than ZZ top, but it still just didnt really move or excite me
Sultans of Swing will always have a place in my heart. In the Gallery was my fave.
Good ass rock album
i didnt like the other dire straits album but maybe i was in a bad mood. we'll see down to the waterline-5 water of love- 5 setting me up- 4 six blade knife- 4 southbound again- 4 sultans of swing- 3 or 4 in the gallery- 5. its got a good groove west wild end- 3 or 4 lions- 4 its like they set out to make the most boring music
Whatever
Okay, now I really get why they call this dad rock! It's not bad in any way, just really dad.
Not something I would play in my day to day, but not bad.
absolute banger album. This reminds me of my granpda. Dire straights have one of the most iconic noises of the 70-80s
The original Dire Straits album is iconic just for Sultans of Swing alone. A song easily ranking in possibly top 50 hits of all time. The melding of the bass with the guitar is Dire Straits is all about and their inaugural album easily shows this off.
There's some groove to it, but it's so boring and the singer sounds like he needs some laxatives. I hope they don't have a 3rd album on this list.
Kitarat *chef’s kiss* Tietty toi soundi on niin sliipattu ja tämän jälkeen niin matkittu, että nykykorvilla kuulostaa jo vähän vitsiltä. Mutta siis kuinka hyvät. Biisit ovat lopulta mulle vähän liian juustoisia. Toimivia kyllä, napakoita paketteja vaikka 3 minuutissa ei pysyttäisi.
Markin soitto on notkeaa steppailua. Hänen musiikkinsa on modifioitua, mollivoittoista bluesia. Hänen levyllään on yksi ehkä vähän yliarvostettu klassikko. Ja levy on sen verran onnistunut, että sen kuuntelisi uudelleen.
Sometimes some smooth, laid back, guitar-driven rock that's incredibly cleanly recorded is just what the doctor ordered. In those cases, you could do a lot worse than this.
# Playlist track - Sultans of Swing # Notes - Just got "Brothers in Arms" recently. Nice to hear their debut and to connect them together. - This one isn't as polished or interesting as the next, but it's a great debut. Their style is pretty unique and it's well worked in each track. Not long enough to be boring or repetitive. - Not life changing, but definitely worth the listen!
Enjoyed it.
Very good album, tails off a bit after sultans of swing
Nice! Drops off a bit after Sultants of Swing, but mostly really chill to listen to.
whatever…it was kinda fun i guess. i like the bass a LOT. it just didn’t really hold my interest but i certainly didn’t find it offensive. i would not be mad if someone put this on in a backyard BBQ setting. fav track: down to the waterline
me at the start of the other dire straits album: i don't want to listen to diuh stwaits. me at the end of this album (wearing dad jeans and a hawaiian-style tourist shirt and aviators): i think i'm stawting to like diuh stwaits...
Nice. Excellent playing and arrangements. I like the laid back feeling. Sultans of Swing is the obvious hit, but the rest is very consistent in tone and quality.
Nothing convinces me that Mark's guitar wasn't a member and leader of this band. This bad little girl did the solos, provided the rhythm and even shared the vocals with Mark. The licks on Down On The Waterline are a perfect foreshadowing of what will come later on in the album. A sequence of spectacular jams that leads to the masterpiece Sultans Of Swing, which is very similar to classical music in the way it induces the listener to pay attention to the smallest details of the song. Especially this bad little girl who made her name in the history of rock n roll in the two solos of this song. Anyway, a hell of a debut album!
Sultans of Swing carries the full weight of this 6/10 (Down to the Waterline a bit too). If those two tracks weren't there it would be like a 4/10 or 5/10.
3/5. This is a chill album with sweet guitar licks and relaxed vocals with some drawl and edge. These songs by themselves are not much to write home about and without the guitar highlight, this wouldn't really be an album of much. Fortunately, this a great album to drink or vibe to. Don't think it really belongs on the list but it was not a bad listen. Sultans is really what you need this album for, maybe a couple others that stand out, but not much else. Listen to it for the guitar. Best Song: Sultans of Swing, Down To The Waterline, Setting Me Up
I liked one of the songs
top tier option in the "my dad" oeuvre
Spent more time with Brothers In Arms before this. Despite Knopfler clearly owing a lot to Clapton in style and tone on this first record, it'd be difficult not to enjoy the grooves here.
Of course Sultans of Swing is a great song, I also enjoyed Down to the Waterline. Everything else is just okay/good. There is a weird twangy sound throughout this album that makes it almost sound like country that I really didn't expect. Great guitar playing throughout the album. Not so great singing throughout. Low 4.
Sultans of Swing.... Pretty preeeeettt good
Banger
Already liked Dire Straits, enjoyed the less well-known songs on here less but still good!
Dire Straits is my number one pick for bands I would like if they had a different singer or vocal style.
The guitar work is amazing , the vocals are very good … classic consistent quality but just a bit lower on the wow factor , a solid 4/5
This album was slightly less sleepy than I thought it would be, which I appreciated. Mark Knopfler is a great guitarist of course, but this kinda felt like "Bob Dylan sings Grateful Dead," and not in a good way. Mark Knopfler is no Bob Dylan. Sultans of Swing is pretty undeniable tho
Solid album start to finish.
Sultans is sublime. Guitar on this album is just so satisfying. Timeless.
Every song was good. Would listen again 100%
i have a great time on this
It’s got Sultans on it, which nearly makes it an automatic 5, but none of the other tracks really stand out. Not their best album, but it’s still Dire Straits, 4.5.
A nice sound, truly excellent guitar work, fairly engaging songwriting. Overall a great record. Mark Knopfler really nails so many fantastic guitar sounds! I already knew Sultans Of Swing of course, but the rest of this was new to me and there were some nice tracks in there. Setting Me Up is a great blend of Knopfler's 'signature' style/sound from this era but with a strong country influence. In The Gallery is a great showcase of how smooth and melodic Knopfler's writing and playing can get, though it could use a 'better' singer probably.
One of my favourite albums
Doesn't have Brothers in Arms or Romeo & Juliet. 2 Knopflers.
AND THE SULTANS PLAY CREOLE
Artiste connu, que j'ai découvert avec 'Sultans of swing' que je trouve exceptionnel. J'apprécie aussi 'Down to the Waterline'. Par contre les autres morceaux de ce premier album ne sont pas au même niveau, même si les parties de guitare restent intéressantes. Je lui préfère nettement l'album 'Love Over Gold' qui pour moi est bien plus passionnant. =>3/5
Good debut record.
I still don't see the charm of the band.
¡Me gustó! Ya conocía muchos temas, igualmente, pero nunca había escuchado el álbum completo.
This album getting 4 is carried heavily by 'Sultans Of Swing' and the generally excellent guitar-playing that's going on. I feel like the guitar on the tracks is a cut above the rest of the parts, and mostly carries some otherwise middling tracks on everything but 'Sultans Of Swing' where it all comes together more like what Dire Straits would later be known for Standouts Six Blade Knife Sultans Of Swing 4/5
Overall Thoughts: - emphasis is definitely on the lead guitarist - everything forms sort of a bed for the guitarist to go over the top - very laid back for the most part without a ton of complex melodies or structures outside of guitar solos, stripped down - touches on blues, country, funk, latin, and other influences while still maintaining a similar structure throughout the tracks - definitely has post-punk influence but doesn't feel tied to it
I liked Down by the Waterline and Sultans of Swing, but nothing else on the album really grabbed me. There was nothing I'd go out of my way to switch off, but nor was there much to make me want to listen again. Another band where I'd put on a best of, but not studio albums.
Perfection
Great sound! A true classic. 4 stars.
SO GOOD!! SUCH A VIBE
Einfach weltklasse!!!
A classic; emblematic of so many styles that were gaining popularity in the genre circa the late 70s while still maintaining a sound and tone that would be distinct and recognizable for the band's entire career. "Setting Me Up" could have been A Working Man's Dead b-side easily, but these brits do more than just Americana. This album switches up tempos right on cue, and grabs you til the very end with bold, thumping bass driving every song forward, as Knopfler's guitar soars and flourishes. Overall very solid release.
Very easy listening sultans of swing is a classic - great album
Great album. Sultans is one off the greatest rock songs of all time
One of my favorites. New sound worth repeated listening
Smooth blues rock with some silky guitar work. Just listening to this makes me want to learn to play fingerstyle. What an amazing debut album!
I'll listen to MK's guitar all day long...
When this album came up my first thought was “oh yeah, why have I not listened to more Dire Straits? Sultans Of Swing is a great song!” Turns out I hate Knopfler’s vocals. Instrumentally this album is close to perfection for me, but there are literally only two songs (In The Gallery and the aforementioned Sultans Of Swing) where I feel like the vocals work and every other song they just really grate on me.
very chill and impressive guitar album. probably need to relisten eventually because i found that a lot of the songs got a bit same-y compositionally and i ended up listening pretty lazily towards the end. that being said all the songs are well composed - super interesting chord progressions on a ton of these songs. can't fault mark knopfler at all. broadly not my cup of tea because dire straits can border on a yacht rock sorta vibe sometimes but i'd be lying to say i dislike this album. 6/10
This album is comfort food, where comfort food is Thai scallops in citrus ginger sauce prepared by a Michelin chef. A great album with that unique Knopfler sound that's still fresh and relevant 45+ years later. Incredible talent.
papo reto? detesto dire straits
bom pra quem gosta (não é meu caso) as guitarrinha mais pau mole do mundo. dad rock até demais.
Very enjoyable listen. Sultans of swing is a classic obviously but I also really enjoyed water of love and southbound again.
I remember that I listened to this album but I don’t remember anything about it. I feel like this is almost like you took every band from the 70s and distilled it into this, unremarkable grooves and riffs with one song that hits harder.
Really pleasant and subtley complex album. The guitar work is so light, but so technical and intricate. A real pleasure to listen to. I definitely feel like this album has only a few excellent tracks and the rest of the album is only decent, but it's a very accessible and mellow listen. Top tracks: Down To The Waterline, Sultans Of Swing, Wild West End
Perfect guitar
This was fire
Fantastic
I can't figure out if this sounds like Bob Dylan, The Doors, or the Dead. All of the above all at once?
a complete album, with a definitive sound that carries throughout, with uniqueness I'm every song. this album sets the bar.
Down to the Waterline: Solid song to open the album. Perfect into to Knopfler's Guitar. 3/5 Water of Love: 2/5 Setting Me Up: 3/5 Six Blade Knife: It's a 3/5 Southbound Again: 3/5 Sultans of Swing: Classic. 5/5 In the Gallery: Funky-reggae fun! Mike Knopfler's Guitar. Gosh. 4/5 Wild West End: Sultans, but make it romantic. 5/5 Lions: 3/5
I didn’t know much by dire straits and I was pleasantly surprised listen and relaxing and feeling funky
Oh yaaaaaa. Only knew sultans of swing, but enjoyed the whole album.
Not very interesting. Sultans of Swing is definitely the best song on this.
meh
Dire Straits is the perfect blend of country and classic rock. I was particularly captivated by the smooth slide guitar lines, and the understated yet effective bass grooves. The guitarist truly takes center stage in this album, deepening my appreciation for the art of slide guitar.
Top Stuff, Yes, you've probably heard Sultans of Swing ten thousand times, but the whole album is well worth a listen. For a debut album, it's astonishing just how polished and finished the sound is. Even tho' it was released in the midst of the New Wave / Punk era, it was recognised as distinctive and awesome at the time. And SoS is awesomely good...no-one can seriously refute that.
Decent
Noice
This probably kills at bars.
Sultans of Swing.
The perfect chill album for a possibly hectic Monday morning, Dire Straits debut album definitely delivers. I've always enjoyed Mark Knopfler's guitar style and overall vibe. Quite enjoyable.
Overall great album. Super cohesive groove all the way through.
Brilliant! Well written, great production, very enjoyable
Good band from the 90’s. Good songs. Enjoy their music.
Look, I'm not trying to take anything away from Knopfler here at all; he's one of the greats, and deserves all the praise he gets...but he's kind of a one-trick-pony on this one isn't he? He can play the honky tonk like anything, but you know, I DO give a damn about trumpet playing bands. Still, when a guitar solo is so recognizable, you can just hum it note for note, someone's doing something right.
Despite its relatively narrow sonic palette, the Dire Straits debut showcases enough intricate musicianship and effortless virtuosity to elicit, at the very least, sincere appreciation.
I am my dad in the 1980s. I liked it
So I didn't know that Sultans of Swing was on their first album. Because Ive never listened to their first album before. It was quite good, I enjoyed it and may even come back to it later.
Fun album
Down to the Waterline Sultans of Swing
This one flew right on by. Favorite track: "Sultans of Swing."
i enjoyed this more than i thought i would. i had a slight prejudice against dire straits for no particular reason, so i didn’t have very high expectations for this, but ended up quite getting into it. it’s an easy listen - works as nice background music, complementing knopfler’s voice. if i could, i would give this a 3.5, but will have to round down for the sake of this website.
This is a great album. They created a unique sound that is timeless and was hugely popular when they debuted. Even the lesser known album cuts are a joy to listen to. I particularly love the way the album starts with a hint of mystery. But you then immediately discover that this music is built on top notch guitar playing. Waterline, Water of Love, Setting Me Up; the album cranks 3 hit songs right off the top and Sultans, an all timer, is still in the wings. 4.6
Perfect.
LOVE dire straits. this isn't quite a 5 for me - making movies thru brothers in arms are the straight fives - but it comes pretty close. trop bien!
Very bland. All the positive opinions seem to praise its simplicity, but to me it's boring.
No strong feelings on this one.
this album was basically just sultans of swing (pretty good) and a bunch of filler. i liked a couple of the other tracks but all in all, this was ok and nowhere near as enjoyable as brothers in arms was. favorites: down to the waterline, sultans of swing, wild west end
Really chill
Water of Love? I can just imagine what the band thought looking at the lyrics before putting music to it. That song was saved by the music and you know what? It’s actually a decent song. This is really a solid album. Much better than Brothers in Arms and this one only has one standout track. They all compliment each other nicely and the album flows well. Having a single standout track doesn’t make much difference in my opinion of the album. It’s bluesy, kinda poppy and jammy. I really don’t think I’ve sold anyone reading this on this album but sometimes words can’t direct a person any which way. It’s worth a listen, how about that? Choice cut: Sultans of Swing
3/5
Dire Straits is an album that doesn't do anything super special but is still a really solid album. The southern sound gave it somewhat of a country rock sort of vibe going on and that i did actually like the sound of despite not being the biggest fan of country music. The vocals were solid and the songs flowed pretty smoothly. Part of me does feel a little disappointed with Sultans Of Swing because i kind of wanted it to have more swing elements due to it's name though it was still a pretty decent song. The only thing i can really say would be reiterating what i said at the start of the review. Its not an incredibly special album but it does it's job very well. Best Song: Down to the Waterline Worst Song: Lions
Sultans of Swing is a great song but the rest is not at that level, so 3 stars or C+ is my rating.
Algo que me llama la atención de Dire Straits es la manera en que la guitarra camina con la voz. Es una cuestión obvia, y no tanto, pero en pocos discos escuché una amalgama tan armoniosa. Riffs sedosos, suaves, como estar acariciando un paño de billar, esa atmosfera. Un espiral blusero, caminos sinuosos, percusiones engatuzantes. Otra escucha de la que conozco poquisimo y nada de la historia previa de la banda. Suena a como si los músicos de Bob Dylan se hayan cansado de él y se juntaron a zapar y OH descubrimiento, Mark Knopfler. Si este disco le sirvió a Cerati para copiar la línea de bajo Six Blade Knife y hacer Ciudad de la furía, es un buen disco. Puntos altos: Southbound Again,
It was OK, very bluey not my thing really
Very strong debut, Knopfler knew what sound he wanted and got it from the start.
Dire Straits made such good music! This self-titled album toes the line perfectly between rock and blues, and it never goes too hard in either direction. It's quite the pleasant album to listen to, because it flows beautifully from start to finish. I'd go so far to say this is one of the smoothest albums I've heard on this list--and I'm nearing 700 albums. Not only that, but to make a bop that doesn't disrupt the smooth vibe? It could only be "Sultans of Swing." The instrumental portions might be the strongest, because damn does Mark Knopfler know what to do with the guitar. A joy from start to finish.
Another debut album that just hits it out of the park! This album is just sooo easy to listen to, all while having great lyrics, solid instrument work, and a unique take on blues rock. It's just such a great example of an album that straight up grooves, but not in that 60s psychedelic way. And don't even get me started on "Sultans of Swing"; they came up with that song, again, on their debut album?! Absolutely fantastic, legendary song. This falls somewhere between a 3 and a 4 for me, but close enough to a 4!
Muita qualidade musical num álbum só. Muito pica 👍🏼
Quando eu nasci, esse album já tinha a idade que tenho hoje (23 anos). Com a veia de rock clássico ao longo de todo álbum, com pitadas de country e folk em músicas como "Setting me up" e "Wild West End", além das guitarras rápidas e técnicas como na clássica "Sultans of Swing", Dire Straits me manteve engajado do início ao fim, com o único ponto fraco sendo o seu desfecho, que embora não seja culpa da boa "Lions", passa a sensação que o álbum termina abruptamente, com mais algumas músicas pela frente que não existem. Nessa situação, só o que resta é dar o play novamente.
Smoking album
simply could not muster interest in this as they just meandered through the album. could i write poetry to this? b
It all sounds the same
It’s much more mellow than I expected. I really liked it. I recognised the distinctive guitar sound but actually a good reading or bedtime album.
Mentions of newcastle make me feel very nostalgic
yeah pretty good
Not their best, but good!
not really my genere but sultans of swing is a classic.
This debut album from Dire Straits will always be their best. I love the minimalist, straightforward roots rock and pub rock approach of this album. It’s rock in its purest form. The laid-back vibe, combined with Mark Knopfler’s fingerpicking guitar style, creates a crisp, clean, and refined sound that’s hard to beat.
Serenely shredding Guitar guides you through the blues With effortless cool
Sultans of swing
Perfection.
Ummm. Making Movies and Love over Gold are way better..poor choice....Knopflers guitar licks are gorgeous but the songs are a bit half baked.
A good album with a few awesome tracks which were already in my library. There are some great guitar solos on it as well.
Outfuckingstanding
Good
"Dire" implies something urgent, desperate, grievously troublesome, or of a nature that invokes fear or suffering. A "strait" is a narrow passage of water connecting two large bodies of water. I've listened to this album literally hundreds of times in my life. Not once have I ever felt any indication of "dire" *anything*. In fact, this has been one of my favorite albums over the years. I come back to it every now and then, and the only memory I can find that contains even a tiny hint of danger or trouble was when I was sitting on the hood of my car in front of a cliff (for the view, NOT for any other reason!), calmly listening to "six blade knife". I guess the mention of a knife, especially one with so many blades, could be anxiety inducing for some, but not me. I *might* have driven on a bridge over a "strait" when I was filling my world with sound from this album, but I doubt it. I guess maybe my point is, the only way "dire" or "straits" could apply to this is that if you don't love this album after even one listening, you'll be in dire straits for the rest of your life by not recognizing top shelf music, destined to wallow in the greasy, foul mud of pop music, or even worse, country/western. So "strait-en" up and love this. Or else.
Sultans of Swing is a fave Really surprising how american bluesy this entire album is - definitely one for late night chilling.
Man have I underappreciated Dire Straits.
Sultans of Swing was the 80s wedding band guitarist's moment to shine. It was ubiquitous when I was growing up that its genuinely difficult to have a perspective on it. It's got the best hooks on it and you can hear why it was the single. But this album is simultaneously the most polite and the most overbearingly convinced of its own marvellousness neutered attempt at rock and roll.
In a time of dying disco and heavily produced rock... comes a sound that is basic and straight forward. Never truly appreciated this at the time but wow, this is rock and blues at its finest.
What a debut. Love it!
Sultans of Swing is a 5/5. The rest of the album is good but nothing spectacular so a 3/5. Therefore overall 4.
If you like one track, you should like them all
Lot of licks
Even if the rest of the album sounds “solid” to me in comparison to the timeless “Sultans of Swing”, this is a stone cold classic. Mark Knopfler’s absurd talent on the guitar steals the show for the most part.
Later half got better. Beach vibes almost
Love Sultans of Swing Seconded: Down to the Waterline Wild West End Lions
Slick guitar, simple production, surprise surprise
Impressive for a debut album. This sounds like the music a band would make on their third or fourth. Cool sound, and an easy listen. But that's kind of where it ends. I didn't really feel much substance or emotion or anything else. I liked the songs more than some of my other 2-star album ratings, but I can't envision myself ever coming back to this.
Well they are certainly consistent and have their style and flair! It just may not be for me. However, there is no denying that Sultans of Swing just makes me wanna groove.
Dire Straits just ooze class, more than just one album.
easy listening but rewarding at the same time. 4 stars!
went into this expecting to hate it and... i surprisingly don't? don't get me wrong, i still think a good amount of this album is a bit generic, but i don't really think i could muster up any vitriol for it. it's definitely one of those albums that're carried by the first track on either side, but it's very well crafted and played rock music. i never found myself zoning out or rolling my eyes at an "ooh baby do i love ya" lyric. it's nothing to write home about, but i mean that as positively as possible. it's like finding a quarter on the street and putting it in your pocket -- all you can really say is "neat" and move on. i'd come back for the singles and most of the B-side for sure. and man, can Knopfler play.
I dug this! Like a 3.5 for me
Mark Knopfler’s noodling and talk-singing will always make me happy
just really good stuff, so smooth and pleasant. Always liked these guys but this is my first album of theirs and I was very impressed!
Oli kyllä niin pliisu että
I like a bit of Dire Straits every now and again. Unfortunately, my favourite DS track is not on this album. The songs are good, "Sultans of Swing" is a nice single. Dire Straits would be awful without Knopfler's guitar solos. That's what I think of this album. 3 stars for "Self Titled".
I liked the opener ("Down To The Waterline") and "Sultans of Swing" is a great song, but the rest was pretty forgettable. I liked it well enough, and none of the songs are bad, but they also aren't memorable
The classic rock station I listened to growing up would play "Sultans of Swing" every fifth song, like clockwork. A typical afternoon in my young adulthood would sound like this: the Georgia Satellites; the Marshall Tucker Band; Blackfoot; ZZ Top; "Sultans of Swing" by Dire Straits; the Charlie Daniels Band; the Doobie Brothers; Creedence; Atlanta Rhythm Section; "Sultans of Swing" by Dire Straits; 38 Special; the Allman Brothers Band; Molly Hatchet; Lynyrd Skynyrd; "Sultans of Swing" by Dire Straits, etc. Maybe a "Money for Nothing" thrown in once a day for variety. Because of this, I fucking hate that song. I don't know if it is good or bad, I only know I hate it. But I kind of like Dire Straits. They have a laidback jazzy blues sound that is pretty cool. None of the songs on this record really stand out, but they are all pretty good. It isn't Dire Straits's fault that Rock 101 played "Sultans of Swing" to death and so I try not to hold it against them. But they are never going to be one of my favorite bands, despite them being totally decent.
So chill.
Dug it for the guitar. Not much else
Listened to this while playing Return to Dark Tower solo. I lost. Soooo...I kept hearing people refer to the Sultans of Swing, and I honestly was expecting this to be a swing/big band album...lol. Kind of disappointed that it wasnt. This was ok...
Chill. Vibey. Feel like I could get high and have the best day of my life listening to this.
Really loved this album, actually. Every track is fire
I love the cool, slow, acoustic feel this album brings. Each song is soothing yet unique and refreshing. This is how you do acoustic rock right.
This album is fantastic. It has rock, blues, honky took…Mark Knopfler is astounding good at playing what best serves the song. He doesn’t overplay and allows space in a song. Even though he could definitely show off, these songs don’t call for flashy riffs. Sultans of Swing gives a glimpse at just how good he is. Definitely an album everyone should be exposed to at some point.
Someone once asked me why I like Dire Straits and my answer was that in my opinion all the parts, the vocals, the rhythm, the lead, the melody and the lyrics just all seem to work together. The most mundane premise for a song becomes vibrant and interesting in their hand. I broke out the vinyl to listen to this one.
I was a little kid in 1978, when my dad left this record on his turntable in the basement. For years, as he puttered around doing woodworking and going through his fishing gear, echoes of Mark Knopfler’s guitar licks and Dylan-esque singing filtered up through the vents as I played upstairs. It was one of his favorite albums. So it’s hard for me to think of this as anything but a classic of literal dad rock. Listening to it now, I’m honestly into this a lot more than I anticipated. Some really fantastic guitar playing and the vocals are catchy and bluesy. It’s not what I would choose everyday (like my dad) but I'd definitely listen again…at least to Sultans of Swing. 4⭐️
A very very solid album :)
4/5
"Brothers In Arms" album is a 5/5. I've given it 4.5/5. It was a mistake. I regret it. This album though is truly 4.5/5. For a debut it's great.
I quite like Dire Straits, purely for nostalgia. But I’m not sure I like this record. I know Mark’s vocals aren’t for everyone, and they don’t normally bother me but something about this just fell flat for me. Hoping Making Movies comes up on the list at some point so I can rate them higher
Gets compared to Dylan. Knopfler's voice way outshines him. Good album.
Sultans of swing. The rest is boring. They can definitely play. They're just not that good at writing memorable songs.
This is one of my favorite albums ever. I could listen to Knopfler all day.
If Dire Straits had a different vocalist, this would be 5 stars. The instrumental parts are sublime, but the singing kind of kills it for me
If I lived in a house in the country with a sports car or two in the driveway (with personalised number plates, naturally) a stable with the obligatory pony or horse, two daughters called Beatrice and Camilla, I would say this is frolockingly superdupery scrummily good rock and roll. Alas, I don't and it's not, therefore I feel rather fortunate.
Dire shite
Does nothing for me. Sultans of shite.
Appropriately, I was on hold to a call centre for most of the time I was "listening" to this album. I barely noticed it.
For those who love Sultans of Swing... here's 40 minutes of the same.
C'è una certa delicatezza e gentilezza in questo suono rock, molto apprezzato
Great album!!
Nice stuff, but no song stood out that much to me on my first listen.
Flat
Some interesting songs but also some boring ones. Not sure I’d listen again. Highlights: Setting Me Up Southbound Again
One of the greatest debut albums of all time. Every song is great. Knopfler is an exceptional guitarist. Happy to have listened to this one again.
From the initial blues riff, very good. One I will re listen to and break down.
Gear: DCA ÆON 2 Noire Artwork: unvergesslich vergesslich Mix: 🎧😘🤌 Musik: Geniales, teils minimalistisches Debut in Form und Ausdruck. Auf "Brothers in Arms" sind die Dire Straits aber dann noch eine Spur genialer. Wertung: 🎸🎸🎸🎸(🎸)/5 (inkl. +1 für "Sultans of Swing")
Pretty much exactly what I expected from a Dire Straits album. Some decent bluesy rock but nothing that particularly stood out other than the legendary Sultans of Swing
4/5 better than expected Down to the Waterline Water of Love Sultans of Swing First 2/3 better than last 1/3
At the tome this cane out I was into punk and reggae so this would have been a never listen to band. This is actually not a bad debut album, bit pub rock
This debut album from Dire Straits will always be their best. I love the minimalist, straightforward roots rock and pub rock approach of this album. It’s rock in its purest form. The laid-back vibe, combined with Mark Knopfler’s fingerpicking guitar style, creates a crisp, clean, and refined sound that’s hard to beat.
solid
This album answers the question “what if Lou Reed started a somewhat dull blues-rock group that was the house band at one of those ice houses that all the local dads with Harleys go to?” Nothing special.
Great stuff
This was a fantastic debut album from Dire Straits, featuring an all-time classic song in my opinion. Lots of cool elements exhibited here like rock mixed with jazz and blues, and some really catchy rhythms and hooks to boot. Very enjoyable album, and inspired my "All-Timers (don't @ me)" playlist which is sure to be supplemented by this project. Notable Tracks: - Down to the Waterline - Southbound Again - Sultans of Swing - all-timer 8/10
Relaxing sound
Virtually flawless album. Love DS
I always feel like I don’t like Dire Straits and maybe I’m not huge on any of their other albums, but I do think their debut album is quite good. “Sultans of Swing” might be an overplayed classic rock staple, but man is it a banger. Before they started to get a little synthy, Mark Knopfler owned the guitar solo, and there’s quite a few good ones on the album in addition to the epic “Sultans of Swing”.
I like sultans of swing, and the rest of this has a very similar sound. It's just about what I expected.
Probably a 2.5 but this felt like the white noise of this genre
I am in a bit of a quandary about this one. At first it seems inoffensive. And I don't mean "inoffensive" in the way that Travis is inoffensive, that is: teeth-gnashingly, mind-meltingly boring and bland. No, I mean... it's fine. It's okay. I don't mind it. I don't hate it. I don't love it. It's just there. But the quandary is this: It's clearly slightly lame dad-rock, but the guitar playing is really really good. So I might secretly have a bit more of a dabble with Dire Straits. But don't tell anyone. It would ruin my jazz-metal-weridness street cred.
Top quality MOR…
They don't give a damn about any trumpet playin' band It ain't what they call "Dad" Rock and Roll
The first two were 5/5, then they kinda lost me. The last couple were really good as well
Sultans elevate this much higher than it would be otherwise
COULD BE A 5 ********* but I think it needs a relisten
I just really like dire straits. Something about knopflers singing and guitar sound.
This a really solid LP. The variety of soft rock, folk, and country - while keeping the atmosphere as tight as it is - is very impressive. I’m also addicted to a lot of the guitar licks and riffs throughout. These guys seemed to have everything figured out for a debut album.
It was ok
Down to the waterline - I liked this Water of love - good intro, like this too Setting me up - I like this a lot, she's a little bit country Didn't review every song from here because I was walking home and had to Process a film I saw. I've really enjoyed this though!! Feels nice and familiar even if I didn't know it before
What an absolute vibe
Хорошая изобретательная музыка
some songs drag but a few really kill it. It’s wild to think Mark Knopfler had his signature sound at the band’s debut.
1. uuaterline - 1 2. love - 1 3. zetting - 1 4. knife - 1 5. again - 1 6. zuuing - 2.5 7. gallery - 1 8. end - 1 9. lionz - 1
Solid album. Worth re-listening
meh
damn this shit fire thank you dire straits, people in 78’ sucked yet you gifted them this masterpiece. Mark Knopfler not only sings himself but makes the guitar sing as well, era tocar la guitarra no hacerla cantar !!! fire bass as well shoutout John Illsley smooth, like a leg that’s just been shaved. no sharp edges which is weird because Knopfler’s raspy singing could go with much heavier stuff. if it were a colour it’d be baby blue and gold. unproblematic, if you actively dislike it you’re fucking weird. 4,6/5 (could’ve had more variety of melodies, but literally that’s me reaching because it’s great nonetheless)
preferably al fesco on vacay
My uncle introduced me to Dire Strats when I was a teen. Let’s be real: Dire Straits is actually the Mark Knopfler show. I always found his guitar playing in somewhere in the area of Gilmore’s tone, Clapton’s talent, and Howling Wolf’s slide. In other words: he’s pretty good. I always found his voice range to be…well, kinda’ flat, like Johnny Cash with a headcold. It was unique. The most famous song on this album, Sultans, is a great example of the bands collective versatility and storytelling, though I have always been a little confused because the song sounds more Brazilian bassa nova than American swing. Favorite track: the country tinged Set Me Up as it presents as a buffet of all of their sounds in one short song! Cheers!
Solids listen. Enjoyed this quite a bit. Of course, Sultans of Swing is a all-time jam. "He don't care about any trumpet playin band". The rest of it washed over me nicely but didn't pull my attention. I'll play it again but nothing jumps out to me as a classic album.
Listened to it multiple times and it doesn't quite cut it for me. At times it draws me into its atmosphere but then very quickly pulls me out with how drab the sounds are. Plus some of the songs go on for longer than I want, making it drag on.
A pretty groovy classic album by Dire Straits. It has some amazing songs (Sultans of Swing, Down to the Waterline) but for me the other songs don't do THAT much. None of them are bad, but none are good enough to stand out to me. Very dad rock Fav songs: - Down to the Waterline - Sultans of Swing
Classic, unique unmistakable style.
Enjoyable from start to finish. Love the guitar. Dire Straits is much more than just the hits (though those are exceptional too). 8.5/10 (4.25/5)
Solid.
Shows it’s age.
Given my previous distaste for mid-80s Dire Straits I was very surprised by how much I enjoyed this. Sultans of Swing is the only song I knew, but overall I thought it was a surprisingly well-formed collection of songs for a debut, with great guitar work and solid lyrics. To me this is everything Brothers in Arms isn't: a cohesive, warm, evocative and authentic-sounding roots/blues rock album, free of overproduced and overlong 80s excess. [edit: I initially gave this a 4, but have come back to it a number of times over the past 18 months. This gets a bump to a 5.]
Not bad! Can't wait for their next one to pop up. 3/5
rizzless grateful dead
It's just middle of the road music? I understand this is good guitar work, it just seems competent? like he's so good he doesn't have to try? It's just so boring background music to me.
Amazing guitarwork.
not an instant favorite or anything but honestly for being such a staple of "dad rock", there is something that is Still rly refreshing and bold about this band...sultans of swing is a funny anecdote made into something resembling a statement of meta-defiance in the face of what the expected face of rock music Was and Is. honestly this could prob come out near-unaltered today and get a fantano 7/10 or something. slick and quiet but also incredibly direct, its all in the licks. very cozy music tbh...instantly digestible in its musical information and just in general dedicated to not Overwhelming u. the solos especially are hugely likable. if u turn up the Complexity and Snark sliders i think thats how u get steely dan...also a great band, but a different itch then this, and tbh one i might be in the mood for slightly less often
AWESOME
Great first album. Torn between 4 and 5. Going to add this to my library even though I'm giving it 4.
I do appreciate the guitar. And I like Mark Knopfler's laid-back vibe. But I just find this album a teeny bit boring. Sorry, Sam :(
They sound better here than on Brothers In Arms, more understated. I know he's a good guitarist and I quite like his voice but I find it all really dull. Not emotional, energetic or original. Sorry 😞
Starts groovy and the guitars are really nice throughout. Reminds me of Khruangbin at times! Just all blended together a bit in my listen - but a very decent listen!
Fire straits 🔥🔥🔥
Loved this album! I love Money For Nothing…and was surprised I enjoyed this album as much as I did. I’m a fan. Will keep this on the play list.
Pretty ho hum, but I liked it. It's a funky album that had some really enjoyable parts. No real bad songs, just nothing spectacular
Probably evaluatin this with the voice of my dad over my right shoulder. I'm sure a lot of people will slam this, I liked it.
A little too country on this album
My first reaction to this was more positive than Brothers in Arms. I really like Mark Knopfler as a guitarist, and this album felt more guitar forward and less 80s. I still need to revisit Brothers in Arms, but at first pass I gravitated more to the classic guitar rock sound of this one. Sultans of Swing is A+ Album cover: B+
Not quite as good as the other album but still amazing. Mark Knopfler really shreds
I always knew I liked Dire Straits, but now I know that I love Dire Straits. Nobody else sounds quite like them. My favorite songs were "Down to the Waterline", "Southbound Again", "Sultans of Swing" and "In the Gallery". I've added this entire album to my liked songs playlist. I'm officially a Strait-Man. Dire-Guy? Straitie? None of these sound great. 9/10
8/10
Beyond Sultans of Swing, there are surprisingly few hooks. The songs on this album are basically platforms for Knopfler’s guitar noodling. Dull listening.
Eh. Soft 3.
Enjoyable, good guitar. 3.5
Music that seems to have been made for middle-aged dads with boring, corporate jobs to have a beer and say "they don't make 'em like they used to anymore" to. Despite it being utterly uninventive and frankly kind of dull, they pull it off pretty well I suppose. Down to the Waterline and Sultans of Swing are the real saving graces here.
Solid album. Sultans of Swing is a classic.
Ik geef toe dat ik voordat ik ging luisteren al een originele manier probeerde te bedenken om deze muziek als saai en extreem onavontuurlijk te bestempelen. Maar schijnbaar is dat vooral de latere Dire Straits, met hun overdreven uitgerekte snooze fests van een nummers. Dit is wel m'n jam, als een Britse J.J. Cale. Dit zal best de natte droom zijn van elk beginnende gitaarspeler, waar ik me niet mee kan identificeren. Maar ik hoor wel dat de heren van begin tot eind in een rootsy en bluesy groove zitten, wat het een verrassend fijne luisterbeurt maakte. 8/10 Highlights: Water of Love Six Blade Knife Sultans of Swing
Oh god, Dire Straits platen. Daar had ik mij nog niet helemaal op ingesteld. Maar daar komen er ook nog heel wat van langs de komende tijd natuurlijk. Tja en wat moet je er dan van vinden. Wat mij opvalt is dat dit debuutalbum nog niet zo sophisticated klinkt. Het klinkt nog wat rootsier, wat meer Americana en is wat swingerder en aanstekelijker (southbound again) dan die lange uitgesponnen gitaarplaten die zouden volgen. De sound is herkenbaar Dire Straits, maar nog zonder het pretentieuze gedoe. En Sultans of Swing is natuurlijk een banger. 7/10 Highlights Southbound Again Sultans of Swing
Dylan sounding vocals, and some cool guitar work but I honestly had a hard time getting into this one. I felt like it was lacking in energy and passion. I honestly was not familiar with Dire Straits at all. This may be embarrassing but I was thinking they were a country group? Ended up being some classic dad rock. Wasn't bad at all but I just felt like it was lacking a spark.
What a record! I've listened to a lot of different Dire Straits songs over the years, but I had never gone through this album. Its so good. I was blown away by the lead guitar. Its some of the best blues guitar of the 70s. Its right up there with Grateful Dead or CCR. It kind of gets psychedelic, but its actually really tight and methodical. I also love how they kind of expand and play with the genre, some songs have almost a funk blues element to them where its hard to differentiate between the guitar and the keys. I also love the way Mark Knopfler sings. Its rough, but thoughtful and personal. One of the most fun parts for me was the lyrical elements that kind of bridge Great Britain to Americana. "Southbound Again," but then its about going to London not New Orleans or "Wild West END" about the West End in London. It's really clever, but also very intentional and self aware. It's like they're fully aware they're playing the Delta Blues, but they make it personal to their situation. Really really solid album.
Probably because I was young
Liked it better than the dire straights album I previously got, but for some reason I just don't vibe with them much
Sultans of Swing is great, but the rest of the songs sound sort of same-y.
Kinda boring ngl
Perfect album! I like it.
Solid
Зачетик ставлю
Will definitely listen again!
A guitar driven classic as the rock n' roll era that moved into the 80s never truly died.
Sorry it was boring
I find most of this album very very boring. Most of the tracks do nothing for me, and I think for that it should be at 1 or 2 stars. That said, Sultans of Swing is one of my favorite songs of all time, and it'd be ridiculous for me to not give the album it belongs to a decent score. Congrats self titled, you're being hard carried.
Guitar solos on this are just too groovy it's incredible. Was only an elementary Dire Straits listener prior to this but I have definitely been made into much more of a fan now. My favourites were Down To The Waterline, Six Blade Knife, Sultans Of Swing (obviously), In The Gallery, and Lions. It's a classic for a reason, love it, easily high 4 at least
такой деревенский рок, даже не дослушал и уснул на песне третьей
The beginning of a legend.
Wish I could give it 10 stars. Just an amazing album.
This is an album I would have loved to be placed in the historical time because I have to think it was pretty revolutionary and impactful at the time. Today when I hear it I think, yeah this is Dire Straits, they are mellow, cool and I like it. But coming out in the late 70s in England this was probably super revolutionary. Overall a good album and I would listen again.
Not bad. Kinda groovy. Sultans of Swing is a great song. The rest are just okayish. Sometime a little too much blues for me. I did not know that these guys are British.
I like the vibe of this album. It’s smooth and funky and kinda sexy. It didn’t wow me, but I enjoyed it.
un altro dei classici della mia infanzia. bellissimo.
Voto probabilmente dovuto in gran parte al fattore nostalgia perché me li facevano ascoltare da piccolo, però Mark Knopfler spacca
Che figata. Un album rock, guitar-driven, con i controfiocchi (soprattutto considerando che si tratta di un debutto!). Sultans Of Swing è un po’ come quel video in cui Gandalf annuisce e sorride per 10 ore: potrebbe andare avanti all’infinito senza stancarmi.
C’è una certa delicatezza e gentilezza in questo suono rock, molto apprezzato
Po pire po pire.
Some good stuff
make it stop
kinda hoped this would be better, didn't seem to really get going
The main hit on this album is Sultans of Swing, but the rest of the songs are cool too. I'll consider this a high 3/5.
Correcto
didnt really care about it all too much. this is a singles album to me cause i only really enjoyed the singles from it. side a i didnt really care about besides down to the waterline, but side b was a pretty decent run to me. im not built for dad rock. 3 personal favs: down to the waterline, wild west end
Almost enjoyed this enough to give it a 5, but it just fell short. I knew Sultans of Swing was a great track going in, but I also liked Wild West End
Just lovely stuff! And Sultans of Swing is a stone cold banger. Simpsons: Yes
Enjoyed the vibes of this one. I think more than the last album we had by Dire Straits.
It was a really relaxing album, and love sultans of swing. But it's not as good as brothers In Arms
I spent this whole album being unsure how I felt about it. I could definitely tell it wasn't bad but it just felt a bit cliché at times like there was something just slightly off about it that I couldn't put my finger on. I do really like Sultans of Swing though, that song is great. The rest was fine for background noise but it left me feeling kind of empty.
The band would hit their commercial and pop peak with Money for Nothing but a lot of that is present in this quality debut.
Classic. Still holds up.
Nice album, will dig into Dire Straits more but overall the album didn't blow me away.
Its tough when you envapsulate your whole career perfectly in your debut smash hit single. Sultans of Swing is the benchmark for everything Dire Straits continued to stand for, and also Mark Knopfler solo too. The rest of the album is incredibly well played pub-rock. nothing special from a composition point of view but a case where the whole is better than the sum of its parts. It was also the foundation, from making Movies onwards, to take ove rthe world.
An absolute banger
Such a wonder for my years.
This was soo good. Much better than the blue one
There's a reason why Sultans of Swing is the most listened song in the album a total banger. Down the Waterline is a strong opener too, with those two exceptions it's a forgettable album for me
12/10
Como en el metro de plaza españa