Reviews (page 11 of 15)
I didn't realize they were a blues/country fusion. And British? Huh. I mean I like it
Byrjar eg å bli gamal, for eg tykjer dette var heilt ok!
It was okay. Expected more. R thought it was just okay.
Already had this album. A nice easy listen. None of their big hits but all clearly their style.
Catching up with this one on a Monday morning has me starting the week with a nice, laid-back vibe. Knopfler is something else (3.5)
Great guitar
Knopfler can play the absolute shit out of a guitar. Sultans still bangs, and I discovered plenty of other bops on this album. Will defs listen to this again
*1978. *Sulfans of Swing is the only big track. *Fave track - Wild West End *Love Dire Straits but none of the tracks here were memorable. RATING - 6.5/10
Down to the waterline - liek the instruments, very chill (3/5) Water of love - makes me feel like im in a western, its okay (2/5) (least fav) Setting me up - its fun (3/5) Six blade knife - uuuuu really like the vibe and especially the way he sings the line after being torn apart (4/5) (2nd fav) Southbound again - its very chill, simple (3/5) Sultans of swing - love it, love the happy chill vibe (4,5/5) (fav) In the gallery - its okay but it doesnt fit the album that well i think, like the guitar a lot (2,5/5) Wild west end - like the vibe, feels nostalgic (3/5) Lions - very nice ending, really like it (4/5) (3rd fav) Overall a different sound to what i normally listen to, felt very simple sometimes but had some good songs (3/5)
Pretty solid rock, Money For Nothing is a classic. nothing more or less
Solid album, good songs. Down To The Waterline was nice and chill. Water Of Love was great. Six Blade Knife had some wonderful guitar work, as did Sultans Of Swing (the only song I've heard before). Wild West End was sweet. All in all, a fun time. Best song: Water Of Love
Свинг, по спокойному настроению, не особо оригинальные ходы, но приятная мелодия
One banger, mostly clanger
Good atmosphere to this album. Didn't fully click with me but I could come around on it more with more listens. Last half was really solid. Sultans of Swing is always a classic
I do understand the influence this album has had on guitarists, but this record just didn’t do much for me. Last track was pretty unnecessary, the album could have ended with Wild West End. Opening track is strong, but I’ve always found Sultans of Swing to be just an OK song.
Når de viber på låter som Down to the Waterline og Sultans of Swing, så er dette ganske nice: roots rock etter Floyd. Når de ikke gjør det (eks. Water of Love og Setting Me Up) er det vanskelig å ikke ty til av skip-knappen.
Good debut album but def like ‘Making Movies’ or ‘Brothers in Arms’ better
Close 4 for me. Probably around a 7/10. Very groovy album. I enjoyed the listen just fine overall, but there wasn’t any singular song I really latched onto that I felt was distinct from the rest. I really like the feel of the album, and it might just be one I revisit.
More like Sire Dtraits am I right?
I’ve been spending the evening with Dire Straits’ 1978 self-titled debut. Just a perfect album. What an arrival this was. Knopfler’s fingerpicking guitar, that unhurried groove, and songs that felt like they’d been around forever the moment you heard them. Of course “Sultans of Swing” was the breakout, but the whole record is loaded. “Water of Love” set the mood. “Six Blade Knife” had so much swagger it later found its way into From Dusk Till Dawn. And “Wild West End” is still one of the most romantic, street-level ballads in rock. It didn’t sound like punk, disco, or prog, yet somehow it cut right through all of them. A band fully formed from day one.
3 out of 5 Few good songs but slower.
Pretty food
Original release of Sultans of Swing
Ok
Fun Little Rock album, but nothing to write home about
Sultans of Swing is a timeless classic and it goes so hard. The rest of the album is pretty solid too but I didn’t love it like I thought I would
nice, relaxing album, a bit repetitive. 3
It's fine. Not super memorable.
This is my first time listening to this album in it's entirety. I recently heard Down to the Waterline on the radio, and I've heard Sultans of Swing plenty of times, but the rest (as far as I can recall) are new to me. Down to the Waterline is a great opener, sounds a bit like Sultans but still very much it's own thing. Water of Love isn't as good as DttW but still a solid tune. I believe Water of Love was released as a single in some places with DttW as the b-side - I'd have personally swapped these but I'm not a music exec so what do I really know? Setting me up is the first "meh" track here for me. It's a bit *too* "American Rock" for me, think it's in the chord changes. More indifferent to this than actively disliking it but I'm unlikely to return to this one much. Six Blade Knife is really not my cup of tea, it does absolutely nothing for me and I'm again unlikely to ever willingly put this on again. Southbound Again, howver, has drawn me back in just as I was starting to lose hope for this album. It's incredibly catchy, gives me Steely Dan vibes (100% complimentary). I really like the quiet-ish guitar (at least i think it's a guitar?) sound that's panned almost entirely to the right, and it's got a great bassline too. I'll definitely come back to this one in the future. What can one say about Sultans of Swing that hasn't already been said? I do like this song but it's hard to go a week without hearing it on the radio. It is however nice to hear it in the context of an album for once. Is this the best song on the album? Probably, but even if it is, it isn't by as wide a margin as some would have you believe. In the Gallery is another really good song, not massive on the vocals but it doesn't detract too much from it as a whole. Wild Wild West is a surprising one for me - I groaned when I heard the intro knowing that this was going to be a "slower" kind of song, which isn't my usual bag, but this was enjoyable enough. It's not my favourite by any means but does what it sets out to do. Lions is a decent enough closing track, but Straits fatigue is just about setting in by this point in the album. I think they made the right call not to add any more tracks as I think that would have tipped it over the edge for me. Again, not a bad song by any means but not one I'm likely to listen to often. Overall, I enjoyed this album a lot more than I anticipated. I foolishly assumed that this would be "Sultans of Swing + eight other songs" but other songs like Down to the Waterline and Southbound Again are almost on the same level, if not already there. The album does feel a bit repetitive towards the end, but thankfully just avoids overstaying it's welcome. I'm a big fan of most of the guitar work in particular on this record, but the rest of the band also pull their weight when needed. Tracks worth hearing: Down to the Waterline Water of Love Southbound Again Sultans of Swing In the Gallery My least favourite: probably Six Blade Knife Have rated this a 3/5, but if half stars were available, this would be a 3.5/5.
Listen, none of these songs are bad, but stacked on top of eachother they create a very boring album. As soon as I put this on, I thought “oh, I’m going to hear Sultans Of Swing today, aren’t I?” And I did, six tracks later. I guess that’s my point here; this album feels like nine iterations of the same idea in a hunt to find the best version. It’s a great idea, but 41 minutes has never felt so long and today was the closest I’ve ever come to falling asleep while mowing the lawn. Mark Knopfler’s guitar work borders on sounding like a lap steel from time to time and that only makes me wish for an actual lap steel guitar in the mix. That might have really launched this record into the cosmos for me. As is, im not sure I’m picking up what new and influential sound we’re getting here. And for what it’s worth, I’m not convinced “Sultans Of Swing” actually beats out “Wild West End” as the best version of the idea, but I think that ship has sailed.
Has one of the best guitar songs of all time and then like 10 other mediocre songs. Guitar work on here is all so good and I wish I could play like him but I don't really want to listen to him. 3/5
I've listened to this in the past. It's a good one but I'm curious how it'll feel on a relisten years later. It's good but I'm not likely to return to this but would never complain if it were on
Dad music.
Sultans of Swings is the stand out song by far. Everything else was good, but most of it sounded the same. I don't think I would listen to this again.
Great guitar work! Technically flawless, but I didn't get immersed with the songs?
It's 1988, I'm 6 and in my dad's red bmw 1 series and dire straits is on. I remember liking the licks but not the vocals and surprisingly, 37 years later my opinion hasn't changed much. The guitar sound is top drawer and its impossible not to get pulled into the playing and tunes. But i still think his voice isnt great and is a real limiting factor.
Yacht Clubs around the world are swarming with the sound of this album
Alright rock
To damn this with faint praise, I liked it more than Brothers in Arms. It's still not my jam, and Mark Knopfler's playing just isn't my thing. That's not to take away from his incredible talent, though, and there's a reason "Sultans of Swing" has 1.5 BILLION plays. I'm glad this is out there.
Definitely appreciate that Dire Straits is a one-of-a-kind band mixing a very specific kind of guitar virtuososity (and without distortion!) with thoughtful lyrics, songwriting, and an easy going almost yacht rock vibe, all with Dylan-esque vocals. I have a feeling Making Movies won't be on this list, but I think Romeo and Juliet stands as the best Dire Straits song. That said, it's a little repetitive for me and Dylan-esque is not really what I treasure in vocals.
Some tasty guitar on this album but a little too mellow overall for my taste.
I was sure these guys were American. Easy classic rock. Nothing to write home about.
Pretty chill radio music. I like it!
Good album, just a little samey, but with great highlights
Solid soft-ish rock. Kinda dragged in the first half, but picked up nicely by the second.
Stylistically, I could notice some semblances of future rock being derived from here over multiple iterations. While the music wasn't exactly to my tastes, it was yet again quite a comfortable and non-offensive album with no clear winners or losers. As such, thjis will get a 3/5 as it's vote.
Blues, folk and country mixed with Bob Dylan vocals. Guitar is pretty sick. I was only familiar with Sultans of Swings before this. Stylistically not for me but it's a solid debut album. 3/5.
Such dad rock. Sultans of Swing fucks though.
Solid, maybe not my style
It could just have been circumstantial but I actually got on a little better with this than their much heralded _Brothers in Arms_. A little bit bluesier and seemed to have a little more bite and a bit less polish. I’m still unlikely to return to it, it’s just not for me.
Enjoyable but not memorable
Enjoyed the first 6 tracks, culminating in sultans of swing which was by far the best track. Great guitar and tempo all the way through. Didn't really like his voice and it tailed off a bit in the last few songs. Almost an 8 but I'd say 7.5/10
omgg why did this gag me into liking them a bit? crazy......
Was an adequate listening experience
Cover 5
Dire Straits are a mystery to me. Every time I play one of their records, two things happen : 1) I think "woaw, this is actually much better than I remembered. They’re good !". 2) I put away the record and forget about it entirely for years. They somehow manage to make music that is at the same time well-crafted, pleasant to the ears, technically very good, and yet kind of bland and forgettable. That’s probably the reason they’re often considered "dad rock" (well, that and the fact that if you grew up in Europe in the 80s or 90s, there was a 99 % chance that your dad or uncle listened to them). This album is no exception. It’s an excellent debut album, it’s really good music, no doubt about that. But I can’t help but feel that they’re late to the party, making heartfelt, honest blues-rock 10 years after blues-rock was a thing. I have nothing but respect for them, but I can’t say they’ve ever blown my mind. For me it’s just nice background music. Down To The Waterline and Sultans of Swing are still great songs though.
Enjoyed that a lot more than I expected to. Just shy of four stars.
3,5/5
Sultans of Swing is very close to my heart. It’s particularly beloved by the friends I grew up with, and provided the soundtrack to many formative, drunken nights as an adolescent. That, I think, is where Dire Straits belong best. When concentrating my full attention on their music, it can be a little samey and simplistic (for me, anyway). But give me a cold brewski, a sunset garden and some old friends, and it provides the perfect ambience.
Think I’d somehow always seen Dire Straits as in cheesy romantic pop category but not the case and how could I think that with Knoffly pops?! And that classic ‘Sultans of Swing’. I was doing something else whilst I was listening to this album and that kinda fit the vibe. Smooth, steady and chill. Very pleasant and accomplished but didn’t blow my socks off (3.5)
Good song ≠ good album. Down to the Waterline (8/10) Water of Love (7/10) Setting Me Up (6/10) Six Blade Knife (6/10) Southbound Again (7/10) Sultans of Swing (10/10) In the Gallery (7/10) Wild West End (6/10) Lions (7/10) 7.1/10
Listened
Great!
I like this album. 3 stars
Okay this was wayyyy more rockabilly/funk than I would have guessed. I always thought of these guys as like classic rock meets a little swing but this whole album is like if someone fed Sultans of Swing into a Rockabilly AI and asked for a whole album. That's not to say it's bad but the rest of the album sort of emphasizes all those aspects of that track. As John Sterling would say, "Anyway...." Love Sultans of Swing and its legendary guitar work (and of course Money For Nothing and Romeo and Juliet) but to me this album was good but not great. I don't think I'm a big Dire Straits guy ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
There are things about this that I really like. Clever lyrics, awesome guitar playing. Knopfler has a cool, somewhat Dylan-ish singing style. But I can’t really get into it because there’s an almost complete lack of emotion in this music. The whole album is at kind of a low simmer of ironic detachment.
Dire Straits are a guitar band, that's for sure. My second album by them and I'm still not the biggest fan of Knopfler's vocals, but his guitar work is definitely still a high point. 'Sultan's Of Swing' is obviously a highlight, though it doesn't blow me away. It sort of meanders a bit. The opening track is like 'Sultans Of Swing' but less good. 'Setting Me Up' has a cool country vibe with yet again some more good guitar work. This kind of mid-tempo rock is alright, but it just doesn't light a fire under me. It's fine to put on and chill out. Maybe notice a cool lick here and there. The guitar playing is smooth and slick. Maybe "emotionless music" is too harsh, but that's what it kind of feels like at times. It doesn't excite me. It's a low three and 'Brothers In Arms' was better.
The forged-passport Eagles play some more hooky, indistinguishable rock songs, Mark Knopfler's guitar-playing is probably sick or something, it's alright and it has a cool sound even if it gets boring at times Truly a staple of rock history as American as apple pie (circa 14th century England)
I never enjoyed the Straits like most, but could always appreciate their smooth and smoky style.
Great debut album
Voor luisteren: beh, gooide mijn listening notes per ongeluk weg. Iets met Heavy Fuel en Berlijn. Tijdens luisteren: tracklist opgezocht en Sultans of Swing staat wel op deze. Verder is ook dit best grappig, funky en bij vlagen melodisch best goed, maar grijpt het me niet echt.
Sultans of Swing is great. Everything else was fine but forgettable
I hadn't listen to their self titled album but knowing money for nothing, this made me excited. This record didn't hit quite as hard for me. It was largely enjoyable but in the context of the other music in this time period, it's just OK for me.
I’ve never really understood why Sultans of Swing was so popular. It’s fine, just never grabbed me. The rest of the album is similar. Dire Straits just always sounded kind of… hollow? Like they’re missing something, at least until Brothers in Arms
Favorites: Down to the Waterline, Six Blade Knife, Sultans of Swing Of course, Sultans of Swing is a classic and is a landmark in blues rock as a whole. However, I didn't find much else to latch onto here. It's pretty chill, but I wouldn't consider it a favorite or anything.
This is a very strange debut album, sounding more like something that would appear late on in an artists career. It's not a bad album, and I'm going to give it three stars, because it was so finely polished and easy to listen to. I'm not going higher though, because it wasn't a great album.
Enjoyed this much more than I expected. Nice bluesy sort of album
**Dire Straits** often get reduced to a kind of shorthand for “dad rock”, but that label really undersells what made them great. They arrived at the height of punk and new wave were, but their stripped-down aesthetic perfectly fit with the pub rock movement and bands like **Brinsley Schwarz** and early **Elvis Costello**. The back-to-basics, anti-glam rock sound was respected by punks who saw it as an early rebellion against the "dinosaur rock" establishment. It's kind of strange of think **Dire Straits** sharing any philosophical space with the punk movement, but it's true. They were uncompromisingly unglamorous and their authenticity-first ethos was very punk in spirit. This album very much has a stripped down sound, but **Mark Knopfler's** guitar playing is truly distinctive in terms of its style and tone. His fingerpicking style is clean, lyrical, and expressive, and arguably totally unique in rock music. He’s as melodic as **David Gilmour** but as groove-oriented as **J.J. Cale**. Actually **Cale** is clearly a big influence on this album, particularly in terms of his laid-back groove, tight songwriting, and restrained guitar playing. I also get hints of **Bob Dylan** and **John Prine** in the rootsy minimalism. Perhaps a hint of **Bruce Springsteen** too. "Sultans of Swing" and "Down to the Waterline" reflect Cale’s minimalism and blues-based feel and anti-establishment by understatement vibe. You do get the sense that it's a quietly defiant album.
Ocean and water symbolism throughout. Overall very fun, just not my type.
“Romeo and Juliet” is a song that I adore but nothing else from Dire Straits has made it remotely close; fine dad rock!
Very good
Not my favorite dire straits album
Nothing mind blowing, but I did enjoy it.
pretty good road trip vibes
OHHHH SULTANS OF SWING HELL YEAH. The album is mostly understated, and I appreciate that. It's a mood. But also, I was a litttttle bored by it.
3+ Stars (9/15)
Very chill album. Didn't do much for me.
Decent record.
Repetitive
Had only ever listened to one other album by DS so knew I was in for a rollercoaster ride through the genres of music. This was no exception. I kinda liked it. I’ll listen to this again and maybe some other albums.
Knew more songs than I thought I would. Not a bad album.
Better than I expected. Guitar playing is second to none, but the vocals aren't it for me. Wild West End was a great surprise to me.
Almost kinda Dylan-esque, Sultans of Swing. But this album tends to meander more than I'd like it to. This album finds itself at the very end, but it meanders quite a bit. I might listen to it again. At the moment, it's a 3/5. Highlights: Lions Wild West End In the Gallery
i liked this a lot. chill. will listen again. 🥇 Wild West End 🥈 Sultans Of Swing 🥉 Six Blade Knife
Really good album again, but wouldn't seek out much more than sultans, especially the live version
Booooring
Heard ~5 times. Used to really like this one, realized john cale does it way better (in half the timeg. Sultans of swing is goated though. 7/10
First time ever hearing this full thing. Production is CLEAN AS HELL. Every song was good but Sultans of Swing is the only one that’s memorable, maybe because I’ve heard it a 1000 times.
Litt usikker hva jeg syns. Midt på treet?
Vil egentlig gi 3,5 så da runder jeg ned
It's ok but nothing impressed me.
Mark Knopfler rips.
more like dire straights! #happypride
This was decent. I don't have much else to say about it unfortunately.
Whenever these guys come on I always forget how good these tracks are. Straight classic rock. So good.
Sultans of swing album
I wanted to like this more than I did. It was fine! It was fine.
It’s how the dire straits became kind of sultans of their music style 😉I like this album but it’s no more that special to me, so only 3 stars
I think there might be something wrong with me but I only really liked a song about a six blade or something and sultans of swing. I feel like so much music me just bores me on the first listen but I don’t know why. Still 3 stata
Love the guitar. Very chilled
A well-crafted atmosphere - calm, uncluttered, with very clean and hypnotic guitar tones. That said, the album feels quite flat some songs and not particularly rich musically. The lyrics also don't stand out or feel especially interesting to me, but overall, it's decent.
Ok
This is fine! Country-bluesy rock. Some real originality here and there, but the album as a whole doesn't hit. I will listen to Sultans of Swing again.
Six Blade Knife and Sultans of Swing are great tunes. Little bit strong on the country vibes at times, but this is still a solid album. Hard not to like the licks of Mark Knopfler - great talent. 7/10 (high 3)
It's a fine overall album. None of the songs really stood out as memorable, but it was a decent enough listening experience from start to finish. 3.25 / 5
Good music, dodgy comedy vocals
I'm pretty sure this is my dad's favourite album. It's fine
Nice southern rock flair from this old brit. Knoppler sure can play a mean guitar. But damn is the entire album lackluster. Dire Straits remains to me a few hit wonder.
The Dire Straits' album scrapes 3. A few very strong tracks, and Mark Knofler is pretty handy on the Stratocaster.
Dire Straits are potentially the quintessential dad rock band, one that I haven’t engaged with until now, though like most people have had a lifetime of hearing Sultans of Swing on the radio - which is a bop to be fair. The band are able to create quite a groove. There is a relaxed quality to the guitars throughout this debut, it’s very vibes based, controlled, professional. The vocals remind me of Bob Dylan and have a strong personality to them. Would I personally like a bit more flavour? Yes. Though I appreciate the relaxed approach.
Really, really love the guitar. I’ve never really paid much attention to Dire Straits beyond the big hits, but damn, that guitar work.
Kinda boring. Nothing offensively bad about it though.
This album was carried by the guitar with everything else taking a back seat including the most underwhelming vocals. I probably wouldn't listen again but I hope they gave that guy a raise.
Listened to half. Not many thoughts
3 stars
Excellent guitar to open, but I felt no other songs lived up to the brilliance of Sultan’s of swing. It felt like a little bit of filler for that one great song.
no matter how much classic rock radio wants me to like dire straits, i will never find them interesting. the instrumentation is good, the production sounds nice. the songs are so MOR. quite frankly, it's a bit boring of an album. there's one song on here worth listening to, and it's the song they overplay on the radio. not for me
A lot to enjoy here, just not quite my cup of tea.
Turns out you can do a full album with sultan of swing
Sultans of Swing was one of my dad’s favourite songs (of course it was!) and there’s some other good stuff here but a lot of it is quite flat as well
71. Pretty solid but the last 3 songs fall flat. Sultans is a crazy good track and so is the opener. Rest is solid to okay outside those last 3.
Probably only popular because of Sultans of Swing. I enjoyed the southern rock guitar playing.
A few good highlights here but some pretty mediocre stuff
Great Australian group’s debut album. Easy to listen to
Dire Straits is one of those bands I love but I only listen to the popular songs lol but this was a good album and it had sultans of swing so great song! It didn't blow me away though!
The dire straits come through with a plucky fun classic rock album. Favorite track: obviously sultans of swing 6/10
It's a 3 for me, but a solid 3
Songs to play driving down a two lane road in the desert at night. Preferably in a convertible.
Great quality musicians but Dire Straits just doesn't excite me
I appreciate this more than I did before. Obviously some great guitar work from Knopfler and some grooves from the drummer. Favorite tracks were Setting Me Up, Six Blade Knife and In the Gallery. Some of these tracks are just kind of slow and chill, i.e. Water of Love…nothing wrong with that, just one of those things I have to be in the mood for. So I’m going middle of the road with a 3.
A bit mellow compared to Brother's in Arms, and doesn't exactly excite outside of a couple of songs…
Dire Straits remain a formative band for me, but revisiting albums that aren't Making Movies and Love Over Gold ... there's a level of "this is really quite average". Also, I've listened to Sultans of Swing about nine billion times, and to be honest I'm done with it.
Like the guitar playing a lot more than I like the songwriting.
Gefällt mir gut. Ich weiß auch Mark Knopfler zu schätzen. Aber mir persönlich zu "mellow". Sultans of Swing und Six Blade Knife sind super, aber ein ganzes Album ist mir zu viel.
I like the mellow vibe of this, and Sultans of Swing is a classic.
Mostly laid back guitar grooves from a pioneer of the instrument. 'Sultans Of Swing' is a classic, and the remainder is a bit more slow, though still proficient and exciting. Best Tracks: - Sultans Of Swing - Southbound Again - In The Gallery Worst Tracks: N/A Rating: 7/10
Weird how every song kinda sounds like 'Sultans of Swing'. Not really enough there to hold my interest for the whole album, it just sort of blended into one long similar sounding thing on side 2.
Interesting intro. Okaish pub Rock.
Not bad, probably wont listen to the whole thing again. There are some catchy songs that I may listen to again.
Quite an enjoyable piece.
Licht, bluesy, maar niet echt spannend. Zou het niet nog een keer opzetten.
7/10
Was looking forward to this but ended up feeling pretty meh
Not bad, nice sounds right off the bat.
Certifiably dad rock but exquisitely smooth.
A very distinctive sound that’s Mark Knopfler’s great guitar work with the stand out track Sultans of Swing
Easy to right them off as Dad rock, but despite not exactly setting the pulse racing it is a pleasant enough listen.
Oh, so this is what Dire Straits sounded like before they evolved into the godawful Brothers in Arms, which we’ve already suffered on this list and which I was force fed as a child. Given this, I’m somewhat struggling to admit that this wasn’t awful at all. Knopfler does have a pretty distinctive, jolly and easy on the ear blues style. His vocals are pretty weak, but they’re admirably rationed sparingly here. Waterline and Sultans the clear highlights as they speed things up a bit, but you do wish as a rule it just got out of 2nd/3rd gear a bit. [Grits teeth] I’d be fine listening to this again.
Is this country music? I’ll say yes with a twist of Americana. Decent to listen to but nothing flies in my face as incredibly interesting.
I grew up loving Dire Straits as my mom would always play their tapes in the car. “Brothers in Arms” is my preferred album, but this one is as solid as it gets. Wish I could do 3.5 stars.
The guitar work (and production/mixing on said guitar work) is fantastic. This album sounds great--everything is crisp, clear, and mixed exactly how it should be. Fine toothed comb type of engineering work. I'm not super taken with the songs themselves (except for "Sultans of Swing", obviously, a timeless banger), but I appreciate this as a kind of exemplar of rock craftsmanship.
First listen. In the beginning I thought it was sounding great. Kind of a sit back and chill or cruise type of vibe. But as it continued, it felt unexciting, average. Sultans of Swing is excellent. Mark Knopfler is an excellent guitarist but horrible singer. His voice gets a bit monotonous. Dylan does it better.
Killer guitar, vocal, lyrics and production some really great tracks
Not bad just a bit bland
Is it relaxing or just boring?
meh
Kinda forgettable for me, but decent
The very definition of a 3 for me. Shocking to see how popular they are on Spotify in terms of listens. Sure, "Sultans of Swing" is a fine song, 1.4 billion listens? Is it that good?
I think I like the debut album better than “brothers in arms”. Doesn’t have as high of highs but is a lot more consistent, I like the funkier grooves on this one
Fun
groovy, moody, could see myself listening to this on a hot summer day somehow giving my road trip vibes
listen to that Strat...
I’d consider it a classic just for sultans of swing.
Probably 3. Down on the waterline a good track on second listen
No es mi estilo, pero por la nostalgia de mi viejo, va un 3.
Some surprising gems relistening to this lo these many years. The songs work better as individual releases--an entire album seems to blur them. Knopfler is a guitar genius/master best appreciated in small doses.
No one can deny their skill or technique. Those guitars come through great. I was more of a fan of the Making Movies album which was part of the family collection. This one kind of passed us by.Perfect kitchen music though. Batch cooking never sounded so easy.
My first time hearing this. God, that dude can play the guitar. What a treat he is to listen to. So melodic and tasty. The compositions are rather slight, however (save for Sultans), but overall, this was a cozy and chill experience. Personally, I would have chosen Making Movies for this list instead.
Too slow really, Sultans of Swing. atries this album hard.
15/03/25 preface this journey by stating: i'm a really bad music reviewer, so no explanation, just my verdict (plus i have really bad music taste) -- TIER SORTING high: down to the waterline six blade knife sultans of swing wild west end lions mid: setting me up southbound again in the gallery low: water of love -- favorite track: lions least favourite track: water of love -- RATING: 6/10 objectively good, nothing really wowed me. i would casually listen to this record again (the only exception being water of love), but definitely not a permanent fixture in my life. possible potential for some songs to grow on me with future listens.
Dire Straits s/t album is fine. I understand why dads like them. They seem like they should get more play on classic rock radio. Hardly essential, but listenable.
Decent, definitely Dire Straits.
6/10
Is it time for Sultans Of Swing yet? Is it time for Sultans Of Swing yet? Is it time for Sultans Of Swing yet? Is it time for Sultans Of Swing yet? Is it time for Sultans Of Swing yet? Hell yeah, brother! I miss Sultans Of Swing. I miss Sultans Of Swing. I miss Sultans Of Swing.
too old for me i dont like it
Without Sultans this would be pretty average.
Wow, liked this a lot more than I thought I would! Paused in the middle to play the AD video on YouTube about the Harbon House Inn, and the two went together remarkably well. Will definitely put it on again if I ever get the chance to go.
Ziemlich schlechtes Dire Straits Album… da gibts bessere
It had that plunk plunk sound I really associate with Dire Straits. It was okay. A couple of solid songs
I honestly don't really know how I feel about this album. All the tracks are decent enough, just maybe not my style. Sultans Of Swing was a good tune. I can understand if other people enjoy this music, but not for me. Good enough to deserve a 3
I just love the sound of the Sultans of Swing, In The Gallery is also really good. I recently listened to another Dire Straits album in the album challenge and discovered that I kind of like them. I think overall this is a 3 star album for me.
Pretty good but nothing that exciting to me.
The headline attraction is the instantly recognizable guitar tone and style. That glassy clear strat sound pops with compression and cuts through with a gentle bite, pairing a touch of country twang with a ton of JJ Cale phrasing. The feel is relaxed and warm, easy going good mood dad rock. I can't get over how great the recording/production is - it sounds amazing! Clean and bright and balanced with a solid low end, plenty of space, subtle dynamics - like an unfussy but equally meticulous Steely Dan. None of the other songs are nearly as memorable as Sultans, but they all know all the chords.
I thought I’d hate this but it was fine. Won’t be playing it again but well done for not being annoying!
Dire Straits - Dire Straits This album sounds minimalist with few things to offer in terms of soundscape. However, they did prefer doing quality over quantity, which it shows a lot on this album too. Conscise and brief, without being too overwhelming for the listener, although it can be underwhelming at times. It does have it's cool moments there though. Overall, this is good. 1.- Down To The Waterline = 8/10 2.- Water Of Love = 7/10 3.- Setting Me Up = 7/10 4.- Six Blade Knife = 6/10 5.- Southbound Again = 7/10 6.- Sultans Of Swing = 10/10 7.- In The Gallery = 9/10 8.- Wild West End = 8/10 9.- Lions = 7/10 FINAL SCORE: 7.6/10
Some good tracks scattered here and there, rhythmically not stale either despite the instrumentation not sounding too varied. Never heard of this band before, but am curious if there is another of their album on this list of 1001.
Yeah has echoes of the good stuff to come from this band but doesn’t quite have the songs.
It's ok
Pre-listening thoughts: ...and here's the other Dire Straits album! I feel like we've gotten a lot of albums recently that have been the other one of an artist we've already gotten who only has two on the list (Depeche Mode, Elton John, now this). I liked the other one okay, but there was the f slur song (tragedy cause it was a good song otherwise) and then the second half was boring as hell. So hoping this one is better (especially cause it has Sultans of Swing!). Post/during listening thoughts: guitar playing is sick as always. I never beg for a track to fade out except Down to the Waterline. Feel like it would've made it better (great track tho). Bro if I was like 45 and a man I would LOVE this. Hand me a six pack on a warm patio with a sunset and this listening experience would be complete. 6/10 DID I NEED TO HEAR THIS BEFORE I DIE: no Fav tracks: Down to the Waterline, Southbound Again, Sultans of Swing Least fav tracks: Six Blade Knife, In The Gallery
Not a bad debut
A chill vibe incorporating sounds largely abandoned in the 70s mainstream. A revival if you will. Mark Knopfler has interesting vocal moments on the album paired with punchy riffs and some fun solos. Setting out for good vibes, not to reinvent the wheel. However, I can see how the schtick got stale. At some point we must clap for the piano playing dog because he's good at playing the piano, not because he's a dog. Also, I must say it is funny hearing Brits play roots rock. What's a polar bear doing in Arlington, TX? Favorite Song(s): In the Gallery/Wild West End Rating: 6.8
Cool.
I hadn't heard any albums apart from Brothers in Arms before but it was decent. Down to the Waterline, Southbound Again, Sultans and Wild West End are great, getting a 3 because how can you beat this incredible lyric about being in Chinatown: 'duck inside the doorway, duck to eat'
Not as dated as I thought it might feel. Walk of life is still great. Main riff on Money for Nothing still kills. Don't love the sheen. Deserves the praise though.
A very solid debut album that displays an already congealed “Dire Straits” sound, highlighted by (of course) the tasteful and truly intrinsic guitar playing of Mark Knophler. While there are a few great tracks, namely the guitar expose (a descriptor for the whole record, really) Sultans of Swing, some of the material here isn’t on equal ground. The band goes in a few unique directions, not all of which land. Worth listening to, just not something I see myself coming back to a ton. 7/10
I like a strong guitar melody and this has it in spades. The guitar and vocals also compliment eachother, like you're listening to Knopfler and his guitar have sex or an argument (though it's definitely more jubilant than it is aggressive or angry)! Sultans of Swing is obviously a banger. "Down to the waterline" was good too. It's got a country-kinda-funk to it which is a fun genre. Ultimately though, I think that's all it has - good chemistry between a guitar and a lead singer. It lacks something for me to go back for more than just a couple songs.
I actually quite enjoyed this. Vibey.
My favourite track was "Wild West End". Other than that, I have nothing to say.
3.5
Was listening to Sultans of Swing when I was creating this lmao. Pretty alright album with some exceptional tracks. Later records like Making Movies and Brother in Arms are better, but this is still not bad. Fav Tracks: -Down to the Waterline -Sultans of Swing
point9.
I know Dire Straits' hits (including 'Sultan of Swings' from this album) but that's about it. A solid debut with some great guitar work. Favorites: Down to the Waterline, Sultans of Swing, Wild West End Would I listen to it again: Yes
3/5
I enjoyed the guitar. Sultans of Swing is always fun. Easy to listen to but doesn't super excited me. 3.5
Kind of a dud.. more like 2.5, rounded up
A few good Songs
Was okay, didn’t really move me but it was an easy listen.
Go guitar 🎸!
Great band name. I recognize the one song. Sort of vanilla.
There’s a sophistication and calmness about this album that are appealing. The rhythm section is relaxed and, along with Mark Knopfler’s skilled and colorful finger picking, brings textural flourishes. It sounds Grateful Dead adjacent in its rootsiness and Jerry Garcia-esque guitar playing. The last two songs kind of go soft for me, however. I’d give it 3.5/5 stars if I could.
wow. i’m so bloody bored, i wanted to like this, truly. mostly because romeo & juliet is such a great song, and sultan swing is quite good. the rest is meh, i was annoyed i had to finish listening on my way home, so not a really good sign. but it’s not bad - i just don’t care about it. ohhh ok, wild west end just came on and i love it - reminding me of why this is such a great project.
Standouts: Sultans of Swing Wild West End
I really liked the guitar, the Sultan of Swing and opening track were my favorite
First impressions, I love the soulful guitar riffs. Lingering, slow, spacious. Puts you in the groove. Growly singer's voice. Very expressive, especially in Six Blade Knife where his range goes up and down. Hypnotic rhythmic beaths and strums. I dig it. Rock'n'roll vibes.
Fav: Wild West End Least Fav: Down To The Waterline That first half bored me so much I fell asleep. The second half atleast proved it wasn’t as Dire as I expected it to be. Second half is actually chill instead of boring
Classic dad-rock. Not a bad album at all, Sultans of Swing the obvious highlight, just not really my cup of tea.
It's a nice album, but my personal preference would go out to Brothers in Arms rather than this. Aside from Sultans of Swing, all songs feel kind of the same, and after having finished the album I don't feel any different than before.
Pleasant, but the earth didn't move.
It's OK. Great tone and sound but it's only really got the one standout song on it
It's fine but fully carried by Sultans Of Swing, there's just nothing particularly memorable otherwise
Sultans drags it up but pretty iconic guitar playing, you know you’re listening to a Dire Straits song. Enjoyed it enough but won’t be going back to it much
Enjoyed its vibe. The opener and Sultans of Swing really stood out. The sound of the band is really distinctive and warm but some songs feel a little boring.
Down to the waterline a great opener. Southband again and sultans of swing are both great but beyond that extremely mid. Absolutely love the dire straits guitar tone
Ah, the instantly recognisable sound of Dire Straights. First track was great and obviously Sultans goes hard too. Not for me otherwise.
3.75
I mean, good, and a few hints toward what's to come with them, but not my favorite.
I would have expected "Brothers In Arms" to be on this list (and it probably is), but this was a surprise. OK album, if not somewhat unremarkable.
Perfectly fine
mussolini rock nem é tão péssimo assim
Not my thing, but the music was played beautifully. Hard to fault
The guy can play a guitar, that's for sure. Yacht rock. 3/5
This was much better than I expected. Sound is almost too clinical to my taste but surprise factor cover that. Otherwise there isn't much to say. Album rolled smoothly and than it ended, this as a positive thing.
First I was like Yeah! Then I was like Booooooring... Sultans of Swing saved something. That's all.
Down To The Waterline and Sultans Of Swing are absolutely fantastic tracks. Unfortunately the rest of the album doesn't live up to the same heights as those two. It drags on a bit. There were the occasional cool parts like the ending of In The Gallery but not enough imo Slightly high 3 because I definitely wouldn't complain if this was put on
This album is to blues what the yacht rock is to jazz. I have warm feelings for Dire Straits because they're a favorite of my father's, but I can't say that the music really does it for me.
If I were to grade this one solely on the cover art...it's 2 stars. The music brings it up to 3, though. Good stuff. Not great stuff. But very good stuff. The opening track's guitar is a highlight for me. I think I still prefer Making Movies as being their best (both in terms of music and album art).
Fine but not worth adding to the library
Bonus points for Sultans of Swing but a 3 overall
say “thank you carrie brownstien” yes she is the reason i know who they are. i was not a huge fan of this album but i did enjoy sultants of swing and wild west end
Some classic songs on it but not anything crazy as a whole album to me
its pretty alright, some better than others
Down To The Waterline - Atmospheric intro. Playing is airy and crystal clear on the articulation. I liked that as an opener. Water Of Love - Western twang here. Again I really like how you can hear everything. "You know it's evil when you're living alone". Setting Me Up - Another twangy song. Solo is nice here. Six Blade Knife - I like the way the singer emotes on this one. Felt like an interstitial track. Southbound Again - Bouncy guitar rhythm. When a big strum comes in it's a pleasant break from the main rhythm. Could of used more of them. Sultans of Swing - Always liked this song growing up. Kinda crazy this band is British. They capture a vibe that feels uniquely American. This feels like a driving down the southwest album. In The Gallery - Not much to say about this one Wild West End - Full warm sound on this one, with a piano. Lions - Closes much how it ended This is a different take on rock music of the era. It's not a wall of whaling distortion, nor is it jam band noodling. It is a clean articulated sound that isn't trying to pull off any tricks. I'm not sure if I'll return to this band but I can respect it for being so understated.
nice twangy album, definitely see myself coming back to this if the mood is right
This album will always remind of when the grade 10 talent show when the teacher band played “sultans of swing”. Mr. Kulka could shred! In retrospect I shouldn’t have dared Matt Gies to yell, “SLAYER!” during the performance. What a couple of little shits we were.
Tom Petty meets Pink Floyd. Not my fave.
This album sounds _so_ good. Mark Knopfler was really before his time in having instrument separation and high dynamic range on his records.
Probably better than the other Dire Straits album generated, but still not really my thing. “Sultans of Swing” is a bop, though. 3
I found this a bit boring. I like the production and instrumentation but it gets a bit repetitive for me without going anywhere particularly interesting. II also think all the tracks sound kind of the same without anything really distinct. 3/3.5
Always found Dire Straits a bit bland and this was no different. Easiest 3* I've ever given.
Accomplished, intelligent, a little soft, a little measured. Some terrific tunes on here, but some are just ok. These guys always fall a bit in the middle for me. Even their highlights are somehow lower than everybody else’s, but it’s always an enjoyable ride.
It's hard to not be impressed by the almost virtuoso level talents on the Guitar that Mark Knopfler has, but it's a slightly inconsistent album. Tracks like Sultans and Down by the Waterline are high points, a lot of what remains became a touch forgettable
Well, they definitely had a style and leaned heavily into it. It must be the way he plays his guitar, but nearly every song on this album sounds suspiciously similar to "Sultan of swings". I mean, it's not that I mind it, but it got a bit tiring as the album went on, to the point where the tracks started to blend together. Highlights: Sultans of Swing, Down to the waterline, Water of love 3.5 stars
nice enough
230/1001 🌕🌕🌕🌑🌑
Not exactly classic rock. Not exactly blues. Not exactly rock n roll when compared to the volume levels of their peers - past and present. They exist in a world that eminates from Mark Knopfler's guitar. Immediately recognizable and infinitely listenable. An album that sounds great in the background - that is meant as a straight up compliment not faint praise.
This felt kind of like listening to one really long version of "Sultans of Swing" and I'm not necessarily complaining about that. Decent enough soundtrack to Sunday evening cooking. Singer's voice sounds so much like Bob Dylan to me. 3.5
The call and response of vocals to guitar on dire straits makes me feel warm and fuzzy inside
an extremely Dire Straits sounding Dire Straits album. 2.5 rounded up for Sultans of Swing
Always like Dire Straits growing up. This album is really good. So incredibly chill. My main regret is waiting to do this while I was at work so I wasn't listening on my good headphones. I will definitely revisit this one.
A good classic rock album. Sultans of swing was a clear stand out but good all around. 3/5
3.5
Pretty good yacht rock album. It's a bit slow, but nice music. I like the hit song, Sultans of Swing. I don't have much to say about it, as usual. Decent album from a decent band. 3
got some classic songs on it but not something ill be returning to that much
Not as good as the other Dire Straits album. Only a couple of really good ones
7/10 Really unfortunate Love over Gold and Making Movies aren't on the list. This is not the best Dire Straits album. Other than the two highlights the songs are just still kinda bland. Amazing guitar playing of course. Highlights: Sultans of Swing Down to the Waterline
Coming into this album, the only song I’d heard was Sultans of Swing. Leaving this album, the only song I can remember is Sultans of Swing.
Never realized how much the lead singer sounds like Bob Dylan. Had no expectations for this one other than Sultans of Swing being a classic. Easy listening, mostly enjoyed except for when the singer did that growly thing. 2.8/5
The vocals were hard to listen to at the end. And even in the beginning, it just sounds really lazy and uninteresting. The rest of the band picked up some of the slack from the vocals and kept me listening and engaged. If there was a different singer on the album, I'd maybe give it a 5, but good vocals are so important to me, especially on a first listen, that this ends up falling in rating for me. The band really is quite good, though. Give me the vocal-less tracks of the album, and I'd probably give it a good couple of listens. Favorite Song(s): Sultans of Swing
Musica bastante clasica, me da aires a un buen disco para escuchar en un viaje de carretera.
I don't mind Dire Straits, but I've never listened to them on purpose.
Didn’t know I was going to enjoy that Sultans of swing is 10/10
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.
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
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.
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...
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
top tier option in the "my dad" oeuvre
Dire Straits is my number one pick for bands I would like if they had a different singer or vocal style.
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
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
I still don't see the charm of the band.
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.
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
I can't figure out if this sounds like Bob Dylan, The Doors, or the Dead. All of the above all at once?