Reviews (page 3 of 14)
Excellent album by excellent band!
Great album start to finish. Smooth rhythm and melodic blues guitar that’s never overdone (I’m looking at you Hendrix). Never thought “when will it end?” on any track.
cool blues/rock I have the LP from 1978
One of my top 5 favorite albums of all time. Just... so, so good. The guitar work is impeccable. Songs are a blast. It's so good.
Mark Knopfler fills space differently than other guitarists. It’s never messy or overdone. Perfect crisp clean riffs that demand your attention and often reaction. Rock, blues, country, undefinable. Even with the less than stellar vocals this album earns five stars.
I enjoy these songs greatly, and I'm sad I had not listened to them earlier. The intro really caught me by surprise, and listening to "In the Gallery" is really such a vibe. This album is looking to score high for me
Phenomenal.
All time classic here. A uniquely clean rock sound that immediately stood out from so many noisier players of their era. They occupied their own genre, and cut a fantastic album worth a spin any day of the week.
An absolute standout classic. Nothing sounded like it then.
Unfortunately this is nothing but straight heat and an absolute banger from start to finish. I wanted to not like it. I really wanted to not like it. I was ready to not like it. But it's perfection. It's fucked up. What can I do?
Sultan of Swing! 10/10. The whole album was kind of a vibe, nice to listen to while I was working.
>love the funky stuffs >always liked sultans of swing and dire straits' vibe, def have to listen to them more from now
So good. No filler and nary a misplaced note or lick. Great, understated playing. Maybe it’s a statement about what matters musically in a time of punk and disco hating on each other. The merging of classic and country rock (plus blues effects) seems to have helped set the stage for new wave and new kinds of guitar heroes. But whether that was intentional or not, it’s hard to say. There’s a modesty that underscores the quality. One gets the feeling that this band was just doing its thing and doing it at an extremely high level. One criticism would be the slight overreliance on a bouncy, carnivalesque feel to the keyboards. 4.6 for 5. (And still Making Movies and Love Over Gold [inexplicably not included in this list] are better.)
I really liked this. The video be is relaxing and bluesy. They make it sound effortless. The jam sessions were chill but top notch. I really like John Mayers live bluesy stuff from Where The Light Is, and this reminded me of that. Well vise versa I guess. This must've been an influence on him
The best of the best.
One of my favorites.
I could listen to this entire damn album over and over again. I actually did. On my regular rotation, which probably means I'm getting old. But damn, so smooth and easy.
- For a debut album, this is phenomenal, especially with Sultans of Swing - Considering the music that was around during 78, this album stands out with unique lyricism, tight musicality and stand out guitar licks - Mark Knopfler, I will forever love you
9/10 Great songs, definitely some classics on the album. Only point I have is that I wish they did not fade out the songs during interesting guitar licks. Favourite songs: Sultans of swing (obviously) Setting me Up Least favorite songs: Six blade knife
Knopfler is the best singer-songwriter- guitarist there ever was.
Really loved all the tracks on this album - some of which I'd never heard before... Such virtuoso instrumentalists - a guitar act to aspire to.
Very nice. I saved it on Spotify and would love to listen to this album with close friends during a roadtrip.
Haven't heard this in awhile and forgot how good it is.
70s Dire Straits > 80s Dire Straits Great funky sound. Really got into this.
Best of the best. Fantastic. 10 outta 10. They're so genuinely good and unique, their music frequency is from another world, another time and dimension billions of light years in the past. "Her lucky stars give her just enough to get her home."
Just lovely. Delightful. So easy to listen to and to enjoy. 5
I can see why they are so acclaimed
4 excellent songs in Water of Love, Setting me up, Sultans of Swing, and Wild West End. Lions is pretty good too and the rest is good enough
Loved the guitar, interestingly I though 'Down to Waterline' is better than 'Sultans of Swing'
While seemingly following a bluesy base line, there’s lots of musical layering and lyrical creativity. It has an originality which was somewhat missing from the rock music scene in the ‘70’s and early 80’s.
COMPLETELY BRILLIANT - FROM THE SECOND THAT IT WAS RELEASED!
Would listen daily to Dire Straits, just gives me warm and fuzzies.
Some kind of wonderful. Still my favorite Dire Straits album.
Gorgeous album, I see no flaws. I thoroughly enjoyed every track both old and 'new'. For me Dire Straits has such a specific, identifiable sound, you instantly know it's them - but they somehow created a different sound for almost every song. And these guys have never been a go to group for me, although I have always appreciated them - now I'm changing my mind : ) Walking in the Wild West End I didn't know it and now I can't stop listening to it
Unbelievable album and my first introduction to Dire Straits. From that first guitar riff I knew this album was special. Favorite Song: Sultans of Swing HM: Wild West End
Incredible production and recording. Good mix of mellow and some upbeat. An ethereal atmospheric quality that is unique to Dire Straits and some other British rock artists. Mark Knopfler solo guitar work is unique and stands out. Definitely listen to again. Great album from beginning to end.
REAALL funky. Loved the vibe. The classic Dire Straits guitar sounds elevates the groove of the songs. My suprising fave was "Setting Me Up". Never added so many songs to my favourites at once. Would even buy as a vinyl since the sound quality was great.
Such a distinct sound. To me this is a great album.
Dang, this is pretty good!
real bangers
Reminded me of why I love Rock so damn much. This album surprised me to say the least. I mean I knew that I liked the Dire Straits, but I had never sat through this album in particular before. Every song fucks. Gonna have to go pick this one up at the record store tomorrow...
Good album. I only knew a few songs from it, but the rest that were new to me were great to listen to!
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.
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!
Every song was good. Would listen again 100%
One of my favourite albums
AND THE SULTANS PLAY CREOLE
Perfection
SO GOOD!! SUCH A VIBE
Einfach weltklasse!!!
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!
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.
Perfect guitar
Fantastic
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.
Noice
Brilliant! Well written, great production, very enjoyable
This one flew right on by. Favorite track: "Sultans of Swing."
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.
Mentions of newcastle make me feel very nostalgic
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.
Perfection.
Outfuckingstanding
"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.
Man have I underappreciated Dire Straits.
Love Sultans of Swing Seconded: Down to the Waterline Wild West End Lions
Mark Knopfler’s noodling and talk-singing will always make me happy
Really loved this album, actually. Every track is fire
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.
A very very solid album :)
This is one of my favorite albums ever. I could listen to Knopfler all day.
Great album!!
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.
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.
COULD BE A 5 ********* but I think it needs a relisten
What an absolute vibe
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
Classic, unique unmistakable style.
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.]
AWESOME
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.
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
Perfect album! I like it.
Wish I could give it 10 stars. Just an amazing album.
Classic. Still holds up.
An absolute banger
Such a wonder for my years.
12/10
Como en el metro de plaza españa
The way in which the band make each instruments sound on the album is just so mind blowing. The way that the guitar sings on almost each of the song is just so fascinating. As someone who is starting to learn the guitar, this album will be my motivation to keep improving, learning and mastering this instrument.
One of my top albums of all time. A masterpiece.
One of my favorite bands
Absolutely classic, Mark Knopfler is an underrated genius!
Classic. Mark Knopfler a hero on guitar
Never realized how good a guitar player Mark Knopfler is.
Good stuff, easy listening
This is an amazing album. Already from the first tones it's easy to hear who's playing.
A classic from start to finish. I love this album.
Wild West End is a hidden gem
This is how you make a mellow album
this album is sickkkk. moody little songs in a variety of fun little styles, certain songs having a tex mex vibe. it's very impactful and so playful in terms of composition that i just gotta rate it high.
Some of the most intelligent guitar work put to an album. Very emotive and thoughtful songs.
Dire Straits is a classic
Starting of strong with some blues I see, very good. Am I biased about a lot of these artists and albums? Yes, absolutely. Does that make my opinion even better because of it? Yes, absolutely. Ooooff... beginning of 'Southbound Again' tickles my brain very nicely. I care about a trumpet playing band! Banger after banger!!
A sure-fire 5***** and YES! I'm a middle-aged dad! Assured, accomplished with integrity it's hard to believe this was their 1st album. The songs are gutsy and conjure up places in a cold North East port and smoky bars in London-town.
I have LOVED Dire Straights since they first came out with an album....this was a Great one!!
This album was fantastic. I do struggle a bit on first listen to pick out individual favorites but I was grooving to the whole thing. Time flew while listening to it. Lyrics seemed less important to me here, but the sound was incredible. Knowing both Money for Nothing, and Sultans of Swing ahead of time I was a little worried I might find the singer's style of vocals grating. However, I ended up really liking them against the music throughout the whole album.
I’d been looking forward to this since I don’t know much about Dire Straits but I LOVE “Money for Nothing.” I forgot all about the song “Sultans of Swing” so that was a fun surprise. I have to say, I don’t normally like blues rock but this was great and I’ll be listening to it again.
Perfect! Simple! Easy! Beautiful! Basic!
Really great album and even more impressive when you consider it is a debut. Sultans of Swing is magical. Will listen again.
I only knew Sultans Of Swing from this, surprised by how much this absolutely slapped. I love all the little guitar leads, it hit the spot so well. Will be revisiting.
I mean… come on
heard it & have it
Excellent! So smooth. Easy listening.
Excellent album for driving
Great album
Actually enjoyed this even more than ‘Brothers in Arms’ - so only one score really!
Great mix of songs, awesome guitar work, solid rhythm section
The musical style of Mark is unique! You may like this style or not. I like it!
Nobody makes greatness sound easier than Mark Knopfler. Favorite track: Sultans of Swing
Dire Straits and Mark Knopfler are superb such a unique sound can only come from them.
Hell yeah guitar riffs
Such a great album. Sultans of Swing is definitely my favourite, but the rest of the album is amazing. 5/5 9/10
I'm not sure why I see a Walmart display towel when I look at the album art but this is another self titled album for the list of great ones. I didn't even know their "big hit" was on this one until I was a song or two way from it. I wish other tracks would get radio time..I would have found this album sooner.
From the first time hearing S of Swing it had my interest. Had to find the album and it didn’t disappoint. Great live act. Embraced the video genre and 45 years later still listen to DS and Knopfler solo One of the top guitarists I ever saw. Unique sound
This album and especially Sultans made a big impression when it came out in 78. Made me a fan for life. The sound to me was unique and Knopfler still amazes to this day.
Super sweet. Love the guitar tone and the playing is top notch. Yeahhhh Mark
Sultans of swing contains two of the five greatest guitar solos ever by itself. This album is amazing.
When I first started driving, I used to listen to Sultans of Swing on repeat with the windows down while I was driving down mountain roadways in the summer evening. This whole album takes me mentally to that place.
Outstanding! They really are one of the best of all time.
I han da glaub no nie ganz gloset gha und fuuuck isch da guet. Viel meh country als i denkt het. Git sultans of swing recht en andere kontext wenn mers so lost.
og zwei geili albe wonk kenn kn folg aber da hani scho ewig nüm dureglost. down to the waterlone foht schomol meeega geil ah mit knopfler gitarre delay stuff i love iiiiitt. oooooh yeah wenn d band hittet. de knopfler haut liiiicks use maaaann. worschinli min lieblings gitarrist. water of love het slide gitarre uuuuff ich lieb. so smooth aber trotzdem mit energie de woodblock isch suuper wow. setting me up isch classic knopfler gebrüder country style picking mit zwei gitarre. und denn rippin solo hooly shit. huuuere geil. six blade knife meeega low key. mega cool. super schön. ich lieb d gitarre scratches als perkussion. southbound again goht jo huere hardy er spielt soooo fucking geil gitarre. sultans of swing isch ziitlos und wirds immer geh song fürd ewigkeit gitarreparts chrank. wie heter. er het ebe. ha die beide solos mol chöne, gad bock gha zums wieder uffrische. z zweite goht sooooo fucking ham. in the gallery isch huuuere schön, d gitarresounds d chords. ich lieb de mark. wild west end meeega schöns intro mit de resonator gitarre. bwoahh lions chli groovier. huere cooli chords au. mark du heschs druuuuff. wie d gitarre singt mann hey.
ES GOHT LOS water of love sehr en geile rhythmus sultans of swing isch en riese banger aber hanen zu hüfig glost. trotzdem so fucking guet, vor allem will de guitar-george alli chords kennt er chan zwar nöd so mega singe aber er tuet wenigstens nöd so wie wenner chönnt ich glaub da muss no öppis schrecklichs passiere dass es keis 5i geh
One of the greatest guitar records ever made. Every song has a unique vibe, but the album is tied together by the intricate guitar work and gravelly vocals. Sultans of Swing stays one of the best songs of all time.
One of my favorite albums.
Un disco muy chulo, con canciones míticas como Sultans of Swing.
Where has this been my whole life?
I thoroughly enjoyed this from beginning to end. Great musicality. Great blues guitar and groove. I love Mark's voice. Another album I'm surprised I never heard before considering how much I've listened to brother in arms. Another cultural hole has been filled by this pleasant hour in my evening. Thank you 1001 Album Generator. 5
Solide album de rock ballade, il manque juste un petit oumph de plus pour mériter un 5 EDIT DU FUTUR: FINALEMENT, JE ME SUIS RENDU COMPTE QUE LA FORCE DE L'ALBUM REPOSE SUR D'AUTRE ÉLÉMENTS QUE LE «OUMPHOMÈTRE»
Now this is music! If you dislike this one, what are you even doing here? And now, let's all go down to the waterline.
Amazing album! Dire Straits' music takes insperation from several genres and the track list on their debut record is solid from start to finish. I would only give the nudge to "Making Movies" as my favorite DS album, but this one is close.
my dad's been trying to get me to listen to dire straits for so long and i wasn't against it i just never actually did it.. well i should have!
Love
This is one of those albums that I really ought to have heard by now that makes me grateful for this project. Love this!
I don’t recall how I decided that I needed the 45 of Sultans of Swing when it was released, but I recall thinking that I was pretty cool that I was a fan of that tune when I was young. Now I realize how much cooler that I actually would have been if I had thought to be a fan of the whole album.
I enjoyed the heck out of this. Every song sounds a little like Sultans of Swing but it turns out that's not a bad thing. A+
Dire Straits has some great gritty soothing effect on me that’s a bit unique. This album was no exception. I love going back to the beginning of their career. Terrific!
Perfect
The guitar work is some of the best you can get. Some real easy music to listen to. Legendary track “Sultans of Swing” is on this album as well.
i dont trust anyone who doesnt like this album
First listen I was going to give it 4 stars, second listen changed it to 5. Imagine what further listens could do.
Very nice
“Mark Knopfler has an extraordinary ability to make a Schecter Custom Stratocaster hoot and sing like angels on a Saturday night, exhausted from being good all week and needing a stiff drink.” - Douglas Adams, from the Hitchhikers Guide To The Galaxy books. It is easy to forget (or overlook for younger folk) just how different this album sounded when it came out 45+ years ago. I remember hearing “Sultans of Swing” on the radio in my university dorm room and wondering “What is THIS?”…. Trying to guess if it was Clapton, or JJ Cale, or who else? But it was a new band, Dire Straits. And a big splash was made, as the album hit #2 in the US. But this is not a “grab-you-by-the-throat-and-shake” kind of album. It is smooth and supple, but still drives. The guitar is fluid, not stabbing. And absolutely impressive. Beyond the best known “Sultans…” and the perfect “Down To The Waterline”, the whole album is great. My favorite Dire Strats album by far, an enthusiastic 5/5
Mark Knopfler fucking rocks.
An impressive blues rock album, perhaps even more impressive than usual considering this was the band’s debut. Right from the beginning, you are blessed with the sounds of Mark Knopfler’s finger picking guitar technique, which adds a unique twang and timbre to the group’s compositions. Along with his low growl on vocals, it’s no surprise that this band burst into the scene and were immediately stars. The lead single “Sultans of Swing” is the clear highlight, but every song brings an infectious energy that is a must-have for any fan’s collection.
5/5 despite some not so strong songs because of the unique style
Clean, like the genre Would listen to it outside of this
Really good album
Boh, pensavo che 'Sultan of swings' fosse in un altro album e di averla già ascoltata. Pezzo testamentario e il contrario di iconoclasta, definisce un'iconografia e mi permette di scrivere tutto ciò da sobrio.
Dire Straits, was möchte man mehr? Einprägender Gitarrensound, einfach super!
Great album. Fan of Dire Straits for years. Knopfler's guitar is so distinct.
BEST álbum of all the times
The Dire Straits are one of those bands where I only know 4/5 songs really well, but I love every one of them. I think Sultans Of Swing is my favourite, and that track is thankfully on this album. I’m not sure I recognise any other titles, but it should be fun to see what songs surround this gem. Songs I already knew: Sultans Of Swing Favourites: Sultans Of Swing, Water Of Love There’s just something about the guitar playing of the Dire Straits which is magical. There is barely any distortion, so nothing to hide any mistakes, and yet everything is played so perfectly. They don’t necessarily shred, and the solos aren’t particularly face melting, but they just sound so good. I feel like I’ve only spoke about guitar here… everything else is fantastic too, but the axe playing is just something else.
Great album and a nostalgic sound of the time. Great writing and production.
Beautiful and tasteful guitars, and an amazing voice... Dire Straits, nothing more to say
Mark Knofpler is one of my all-time guitar heroes. His finger-style playing ranges broadly from chicken picking to blues rock, but he also has crazy dynamic control with his phrasing. The way he bounces between singing and playing emulates a conversation, and his constant “ghosting” of notes on the strat makes it seem like a breathing entity. So much sass and emotion! This album is a great example of slight genre variety while sticking to your tonal guns. Dire Straits is an awesomely tight band, and their debut album puts their best in display. Stand out tracks include “Down to the Waterline”, “Six Blade Knife”, “Sultans of Swing”, “In the Gallery”, and “Wild West End”.
Pretty good. I've never much cared for sultans of swing but wild west end is amazing
Classic, lovely, 5/5
So. Much. Blues. Didn’t think I’d enjoy the album as much as I did. Definitely loved the blues infused rock throughout.
What else could this be but a five? Their second record consisted of work from the same sessions and that one is pretty damn good as well. A truly great album.
Will this album always be a 5 in my eyes? Maybe not, but this morning it hit
R&b and country and rock all rolled up into some tight, groovy ass songs.
peak rock
Must have. And Brothers in Arms.
Fantastic album, throughly enjoyed from cover to cover
4.8 - Mark Knopfler is amongst the most legendary guitarists of our generation. Never listened to the whole album and was surprised about how refined it was as an album. Sultans of Swing is amazing and was happy that it didn't overshadow the rest of the album, which I feel can happen with a lot of the albums on the list.
Loved it
Enjoyed it very much Very relaxing Good vibes
Phenomenal. I actually got this one on vinyl from my dad but hadn't listened to it yet. Soooo gooood!
One of my favorites
This is one of the best debut albums ever released, a timeless masterpiece. I love everything about it.
Another album from the series “this is what my dad was listening to when I was a kid.” I liked it. Not amazing, but pretty relaxing, easy to listen to on the drive home from work. I loved the track Sultans of Swing.
Exceptional album, I like every detail. Mark Knopfler plays guitar like a god.
One of my all time favorite albums.
Sultans of Swing rules. this whole album is just plain good rock.
My favorite Dire Straits album! Great song after great song and friggin Sultans of Swing is on there. What more could you want? F slurs? Just wait a couple albums you bigot!
Good
I listened to the track "Sultans of Swing" on repeat for a brief period of my life, but for some reason I had not dipped deeper into this album. I'm glad I came back to enjoy the rest of this excellent record. And it was enjoyable, from start to finish.
Excellent, excellent from the first song to the last. No notes.
Ah, I love Sultans of Swing... I also love how pretty much all of the songs have this Dire Straits sound. The guitar play is majestic, the songs are very relaxing and chill. You can't really have perfect songs throughout the whole album, so they have their ups and downs in the album, but overall great sounding album.
Classic with so many bangers!
divine. record that shakes you awake and reminds you what you do it for.
Just great grooves front to back
Was familiar with one song on here, and thoroughly enjoyed the rest of the album. The vocals stood out as being well mixed, they were clearly in front of the instruments and not lost in them.
First time all the way through. Knew Sultans of Swing, obviously. Mark Knopfler is soooo good.
Smooth guitars and gritty vocals. This band changed the landscape.
The bass on tracks like Six Blade Knife and In the Gallery combined with Knopfler's distinct guitar sound is perfect. Love the interplay of the guitars on Southbound Again and Lions is a great closer. There's a lot to unpack here - not just Sultans of Swing.
This has been one of my favorite recordings ever since it came out. Mark Knopfler was and still is one of the most innovative guitar players of the last and this century.
Ja dit is gewoon errug fijn!
Dire straits, 5 reeten
Excellent. I thought, again, I would not enjoy what I thought was dire straits … IN MY HEAD!!! In real life good. I see how the songs worked . Really fun. Thx
Spoiler alert, I love this album and Mark Knopfler is a personal hero o' mine. Still amazing.
Love it! <3
Great memories.
Have listened to Dire Straits for years, but have not heard a lot of this music. Radio plays most popular songs which is unfortunate.
Really nice chill tracks, amazing guitar work.
The guitar playing alone warrants a 5.
Perfect roots rock and Dylan cosplay.
Great, amazing album!
Loved this one, dire straits are good band
This is my favorite Dire Straits. Have this on vinyl and listen to it often. Incredible guitar work throughout.
Still my favorite album from them. Amazing guitar, dynamic and lyrical playing, plus Pick Withers on drums.
A great debut album that came out of nowhere. Completely different sounding than the punk/new wave music so popular at the time. Mark Knopfler is a great lyricist and superbly smooth guitarist and he makes this an album that succeeds on many levels. The opening track "Down by the Waterline" is seriously underappreciated. "Sultan's of Swing" was the breakout hit, but I think this is the best song on the album. Great start to their success.
Never heard this full album before but from the second the lead guitar entered in track one I was hooked. Roots and funky with the lead guitar mixed incredibly well . Honestly could get a 5 from the “Sultans of Swing” guitar solo alone. Other faves were “In the Gallery”.
Fantastic from start to finish.
Seriously. It is what it is, but I couldn’t be better.
I love Dire Straits but hadn’t previously dug into their album tracks. This one is brilliant!
This album is really good! Blues and pub rock mixed together. Guitar sounds are great. Really a gem
great album, man can make that guitar sing
Favourite tracks: sultans of swing; down by the waterline; wild west end; six blade knife; southbound again; in the gallery
Excellent debut
As a guitar player, this album stands out to me over the others I've listened to so far, I'm thoroughly enjoying my time with this one and will have to revisit in the future. Going into this, the only song I knew was Sultans of Swing, the standout songs to me are: - Down to the Waterline - Setting me up - Southbound Again
Really good blues rock album. Sultans of Swing still holds uo to this day. The rest of the album is driven by Mark Knopfler's excellent guitar work. Blues riffs, walking bass lines, guitar solos, this album has everything. Other than Sultans of Swing, I'd never heard any previous tracks. They were great. Great album, definitely deserves to be on the list
Dat je iets van deze kwaliteit als debuutalbum op de mat legt is zelfs 45 jaar later nog indrukwekkend. Ontzettend relaxed album om in z'n geheel af te draaien, wat ik nog nooit had gedaan. Het kan dan wel dad- of boomerrock zijn, maar de voetjes gaan toch automatisch een beetje mee zitten tappen. Neem een grote heksenketel, gooi er lekker wat country, blues en funk in en laat ome Mark maar lekker roeren terwijl ie wat loopt te mompelen. Gewoon lekker dit. M'n grootste kritiek is dat het na de hit een beetje instort. Maar heel veel last heb je daar niet van.
This was great. Lots of tracks I want to hear more. "Water of Love" in particular is sticking with me.
If there was a bingo game of life and one of the squares was "Become a fan of Dire Straits" I would have counted that row out as a possibility the moment I saw the sheet. Did I have a reason to feel that way? No, I filed the band off as a bland claptrap of 80s and moved on with my life of heavy metal. So pure ignorant snobbery. This record has a permanent place in my collection.
Deze band kan bij mij weinig fout doen. Dit is ook nog echt de pure Dire Straits, echt heel goed album van start tot eind.
Excellent album! Very bluesy and kind of funky. Some songs sound like the band America.
yep yep
Awesome ! Their best work
Great vibes
Felt like British country western beach boys. Guitar and songwriting is inspired
So many great album from DS, and this is one of the best. Such amazing guitar and songwriting.
The Dire Straits have always been near and dear to my heart. While this debut, self titled album is not my favorite work of theirs, there is no denying their unique sound a la The Allman Brothers or Chicago.
Added to my library
LP
Great debut album with some absolutely stupendous tracks, including the classic "Sultans of Swing", plus "Down to the Waterline", "Water of Love", "In the Gallery", and "Wild West End".
I really like the sound of these guys. I think that I can see why they aren't main stream but not sure why we don't hear more of their stuff today. There wasn't any filler here all of this was great music.
Absolute classic
JA, moet wel 5… sorry. Ga nu m’n best weer doen met 5 sterren en het niet elke keer geven
Masterpiece. The diversity of Dire Straits comes forward on this album.
Very chill and relaxing which makes it an album that’s very easy to listen to and enjoy. I’ve heard some of their hit songs but never did a deep dive on their discography. I will definitely be checking out more of their stuff!
I don't think I've heard all of these before. A+
I loved it. Just that.
of course a fantastic album
Great album big DS guy
Yes! I love Dire Straits and this album is well-listened to. I mean Sultans of Swing is such a banger but there are some great songs on this album. Definitely check out the Live at the BBC and Alchemy albums for some great live versions of these songs.
Got this used from a record shop in Hillcrest, San Diego for a few bucks. One of the best purchases I’ve ever made. Could listen to this album all day.
Excellent, Sultans of Swing is great but so is everything else. Knopfler’s guitar style is so skilled and interesting. There’s such a great blend of country, blues and folk. Dire Straits are what the Eagles would be if the Eagles weren’t so lame. 5 stars
Already fell in love with this artist long ago…. Such beautiful guitar solos and solid work
I love Dire Straits, but I've never listened to this whole album before. As I expected, this album was fantastic. It had everything that I could want in a Dire Straits album: Mark Knopfler's vocals, and Mark Knopfler's guitar playing. I love Mark's bluesy guitar picking, and this album was chock a block full of it. As blues-inspired as his guitar playing is, there's just something about it that has a flamenco-like quality to it as well that I just find incredibly pleasant to listen to. "Sultans of Swing" is not only one of the most beautiful classic rock songs of all time, it easily has one of the best guitar solos of all time too. Mark Knopfler's voice is fantastic too; sure, his singing is a tad monotone, but I still think his voice is incredibly rich. His pattern of speak-singing reminds me of the pacing of Bob Dylan's singing, which I absolutely love. This album is fantastic, and I really loved it. Favorite track: I mean, come on... Favorite track that isn't "Sultans of Swing": "Setting Me Up"
Solid cocaine rock.
guy says pavarotti incredible...i say check out markiplier six blade knife...world class vocals...perfect voices.. kultainen kitaranäpytys, midaasin kirous... kaikki soinnut mitä tekee kitaralla muuttuu kullaksi heh... Dire Straits has a way of making the guitar interact with the vocals that is really unique. BLUD SANOI DIRE STRAITS... YKSI HENKILÖ TUOSSA KYSEEESSÄÄ... FATHER KNOPFLER... in the gallery...kuulemma paskin...ei...paras....objectivity saavutettu...
Top 2
Always a pleasure
I already love it
this album is good
Chef's kiss. Perfect.
great debut album from one of the greatest bands.
Great
Knopfler's guitar blends perfectly with the vocals, classic blues rock album and such a strong debut album. Arguably one of the best guitar solos on sultans of swing but this album is much more than that.
Fantastic debut album! Great song writing, musicianship, and production. This album sounds gorgeous.
Very enjoyable just pushes a 5, upbeat but also contemplative Rock album
Great album, mellow vibes, overall one you can play start to finish with no skips
Dire Straits doet het altijd goed bij mij. Mark Knoflook mompelt wat in de microfoon, gooit er vervolgens een paar gitaarnootjes in, mompelt verder, weer wat gepiel op de gitaar, etc etc. Misschien een beproefd recept in de bluesrock, maar Knopfler perfectioneert het. Ik denk dat ik latere albums nog een tandje beter vindt, maar je weet in deze snoblijst nooit of die albums er ook in staan. Want debuutalbums zijn heilig. Dus ik geef maar alvast 5 sterren voor het hele oeuvre, dan zijn die alvast gegeven.
"Sultans of Swing" obviously the best, most popular song on the album but having heard the rest of the album, you can get a good feel for the overall sound of the band and why Sultans sounds the way it does. The band really knows how to compliment the instrument to the vocals so easily. Fantastic album, loved it. 9/10.
Dylanesque lyrics with some fantastic guitar playing. I’m always happy to be pandered to. “Wild West End” stands out as my favorite.
i’d avoided this album in the past because i didn’t love sultans of swing — man was i wrong. this is great; great guitars and very dylan lyrics and tone. really fun listen, and i ended up enjoying SoS when it came up!
This is a great sounding album. A high level of smoothness and exquisite production of guitar and drums and vocals all in good quantity. This album has good grooves and sounded fantastic on my hifi. Every track is a good listen. Surprisingly only one ‘hit’ with Sultans of Swing. But I enjoyed it all. 4.7/5.
Just slaps from start to finish
Probably one of the greatest debut albums I’ve heard so far! I didn’t realize that Sultans of Swing was this early into their career either. This album is so much better than the acclaimed Brothers in Arms. Listen again: yes Purchase for my collection: yes Favourite Song: Water of Love (Cream vibes!)
Is this the best album in the world? No. Does it contain the best guitar solo in the world? Yes.
One of my favorites
I grew up with this, my dad was a big fan. And you know, it rubbed off on me. Lots of good songs here with great guitar play.
Album 25 of 1001 Dire Straits - Dire Straits Favorite Track : Sultans of Swing Rating : 5 / 5 Each song is like a visit from an old friend. What is not to like about this album? Solid listen all the way through and includes one my all time favorite songs. Always a pleasure.
A pretty amazing album. The guitar work is special... it has so many soulful flourishes that continually make the music more expressive and integration. Every track is strong, with Sultans of Swing being an all time great. Can listen to this over and over.
Primeiro álbum da icônica banda, ja temos o clássico sultans of swing, e o começo de uns dos melhores tons de guitarra imortalizado por Mark.
Where has this album been all my life? Stunning mixture of rock, blues, country, swing, probably countless other genres I'm forgetting right now. A pleasure to listen to. Loved all tracks, but In the Gallery is what pushed it to a 5 for me
Classique 5 sur 5 , les c9mpisitons la guitare et la voix de knopfler sont vraiment deja a point t annonce ce qui s’en vient. Un album incontournable et pourtant, meme pas le meilleur de dire straits.
I was surprised how much I loved this Immaculately arranged and produced
An absolute classic and a debut album to boot. It introduces the Dire Straits signature sound of smooth jazz infused rock. It's just an amazing record.
Love this album. Down to the Waterline and Sultans of Swing fav songs
As far as easy listening classic rock goes, it doesn't get much better. I could easily let this play and enjoy each of the nine songs—much more than just the Sultans of Swing. Excellent road trip soundtrack.
Only Mark Knopfler can sould like this <3
A good friend of mine once said to me If music could have a texture this album would be smooth. True dat! In the middle of the Disco craze this album dared to feature bluesy sounds, glorious guitar work and licks that make you feel chill as balls.
Smooth.
I love love love dire straits, we've got to install microwave ovens, custom kitchen deliveries, we've got to move these refrigerators, we've got to move these colour tvs
это прекрасно, восхитительно и великолепно. вкуснейшая музыка, одни гитарные соло чего стоят. хочется переслушивать.
Удивительный дебютный альбом Супер роковое кантри с сочнейшим басом Алкоальбом: темная пинта стаута
I really like this album. Although the singing is quite simple, it does a great job at contrasting the really complex music behind it. Really great songs to bop your head to. 5/5 Favorite song: Sultans of Swing (duh) Worst song: Wild West End
My go to evening rock record. Love it. 5
Whenever you hear Dire Straits - Mark Knopfler's unmistakable voice, along with the classic lyrics and backing musical arrangements make for some fantastic tunes. This album was such a treat to listen to - hit after hit. Loved it.
Very hard listen without dancing