Reviews (page 6 of 15)
Prefer later albums
Such a specific sound. Great guitar playing and sultans of swing rips every time. I think most of these songs are pretty one dimensional and repetitive, even though they all sound good. Sultans is the exception, that's just a great song. Six Blade Knife another one that stands out.
Dire straits is one of those bands that doesn’t sound like anything special if it’s just on in the background. The songs are pretty standard, his voice is ok, there’s what sounds like a lot of noodling on the guitar. But if you can listen really closely to that noodling, it’s fucking incredible. The ability to sit at the same instrument that probably 50 million people can play, playing in the same scales and patterns, and yet still be able to produce something unique just through style and technique fascinates me. What does knopfler have that the 50 million others don’t? Something undefinable Wild West end is my fav on this album. My three year old was having a tantrum in the backseat and this happened to be on, and when the guitar came in he stopped and said ‘dance daddy?’ And calmed down and started dancing. There’s hope for him yet
Quite a vibe! I like Romeo and Juliet by them and this is quite the same, very cinematic and laid back, almost sleazy. I liked Water of Love a lot.
Sultans is obviously a classic, but I enjoyed some tracks sprinkled in between. His voice is sultry and smooth.
Sultans of Swing is handily one of the best songs of all time.
Great guitar, great songs, what else can be said.
That was certainly Dire Straits. It was so bland/easy- listening, that I didn't notice I was listening to the next Dire Straits album...
Familiar with Sultans of Swing and a couple others from the band, but enjoyed their sound throughout the album.
Can’t complain about some blues-driven rock, and I’ll always appreciate one of the greatest guitar riffs of all time on Sultans of Swing. Made for some great driving music on a cold and rainy day.
Super clean and crisp recording! Exactly what you need so you can hear all of those precises guitar licks. An easily enjoyable album, and "Sultans Of Swing" is an amazing song.
Mark Knolfler’s guitar work is elegant and engaging. “Sultans of Swing” is indeed the best example, including the masterful solo, so there’s no deep cut to offer in its place. That said, the album as a whole is not in my sweet spot. And I’m unsure how to categorize it: Is it rock and roll but without the bite, or soft rock with teeth? It seems to be an elusive mix of lighter rock, country, folk, and a dash of blues, hey maybe even jazz? But the key word is “lighter.” Stated more positively, it’s smooth. I’m rounding a 3.5 up to 4 because I could see spending more time here…
Dire Straits commands your attention. The hooks are subtle, but the dramatic mood of the songs and the storytelling just draws you in. I am not sure what makes them so compelling, but they are. A very strong entry and long before the days of playing the guitar on the MTV.
Liked it. It was nostalgic and a nice sound.
sultan of the swing goes so hard Would I listen again: yes Deserves to be on this list: yeah 3.6
Mark knopfler has one tone but it’s a good tone
The riffs are so smoooth
Enjoyable listen at work, I think I'm a fan of blues rock.
Fantastic album, super debut for a phenomenal band
Love it. The guitar and voice are so distinctive.
Cool guitar 🎸
A pretty fantastic debut album with a a clear sound, clean production and good vibes all round
Vibes: 4/5 Instruments: 4/5 Production: 4/5 Emotional Value: 3/5 Storytelling: 4/5 Album Cover: +0 Stand Outs: Water of Love, Sultans of Swing Overall Rating: 3.8
Fuck Clapton, Knopfler is God. Sure some of the songs here aren’t particularly memorable but holy shit between “Down to the Waterline”, “Sultans of Swing” and “Wild West End” the mood is perfect for the masters of sad dad rock. The guitar is so silky smooth, the riffs chug along, and while there’s some filler it’s never a bad listen. I’m fully Dire Straits pilled.
Pretty strong from start to finish with two incredible tracks "Sultans of Swing" and "Down to the Waterline". The guitar work is superlative - such a clean crisp sound that gets my head bobbing.
Knopfler announces himself w the very first notes and the whole band demonstrates their incredible musicianship from the get-go. Kick ass album.
I could listen to Mark Knopfler play all day. Dude has such a unique, cool style. The songs themselves are generally pretty decent, but even the otherwise meh songs are made interesting by his guitar work. 4/5
Very fun chill music. 4/5
I very much enjoyed this debut album from Dire Straits! I feel like before this I really only knew ‘Sultans of Swing’ by them so it was nice to listen to an entire album and dig into other songs by them. I really dug their blues and rock sound and I would definitely listen to this album again in the future!
A few months ago, I gave that Brothers In Arms a 5-star rating based largely on personal nostalgia and bias, yet here I am listening to their debut all the way through for the first time. It's actually surprisingly fresh, feels lighter, breezier and less self-indulgent than Brothers... a bit bluesy but also somehow more optimistic and innocent. I could definitely find myself adding this to the collection when I find the chance.
Unfortunately most of the songs sound the same, but fortunately they are very good. I was going to give it a 3 and then Wild West End bumped it to a 4
I'm not the biggest Dire Straits fan, but Mark Knopfler is a god, simple as that! Unique sound, incredible technique. Great album, pretty key for guitarists and musicians alike.
nada, gracias papa por poner este cd en el auto. 10/11/2025 4.5/5
Dire Straits’ debut album is a brilliant introduction to one of the most distinctive sounds in rock. I’ve always loved Mark Knopfler’s guitar tone, that clean, effortless picking is instantly recognisable and Sultans of Swing has been one of my most played songs over the last 20 years. While I personally prefer Brothers in Arms and Making Movies, this album has a stripped-back charm that really highlights Knopfler’s vocals, storytelling, and signature guitar work. It’s understated but full of class. Favourite track: Sultans of Swing – a fantastic song that never gets old. Least favourite track: Every song here is worth a listen. Album artwork: A simple but stylish cover very “Dire Straits” in its understated way.
Like 70s Dylan with trite lyrics. So still quite good. 3.5/5
Debut album of Dire Straits. I pretty much know them for Money For Nothing because of the iconic MTV music video. This album is famous for the Sultans of Swing song, which has 1.6 billion listens on Spotify. I personally don't get it. While listening to the album, the song came and went and it didn't seem like anything special. I listened to it again and still didn't notice anything special....so I dunno. I think Down to the Waterline is the better song. Honestly the guitar playing on the album is excellent and incredibly polished. Hard to believe this is a debut album since it sounds so experienced. It's a good album.
#759. It's always interesting to me when you see somebody do something so well that it seems easy enough that I could do it. 4/5: great
While “Sultans…” is the clear hit, the rest of the album consists of accessible blues that are very easy to listen to.
The radio releases are great and the rest are pretty good.
I would give it a 5 just for Sultans, but the rest of the songs are like a 3, so the album gets a 4.
British Bob Dylan goes hard, especially for their first album
*Solid album- loved the guitars *Didn't realize Dire Straits started out sounding like this and less like Money for Nothing
All that guitar playing tickles my brain. Play this in the background while cooking dinner.
70s albums seriously have the best mixing and mastering. Love the dynamic guitar work and punchy rhythm section. 4/5
Music for cruising into the sunset on a motorcycle. I was into it.
Love a good guitar album. And this absolutely is it. Raw, which is to be expected for a debuting Dire Straits, whilst not my absolute go-to band for this type of music, I absolutely appreciate them. 4/5
A solid album. Mark Knopfler’s guitar work is exceptional. It’s probably just me, but there’s a fine line between really enjoyable blues rock and less enjoyable C&W. This mostly stayed the right side of the line for my palate, but occasionally strayed over. Nudges it down from a 5.
Sultans of Swing is probably one of my absolute favorite songs, and it has a hard time not eclipsing the rest. But there are some other pretty good things here, solid 4.
Not their best, but great guitars and Sultans is all-time.
Pretty fun album to listen to - that guitar riff is on almost every song but its great every time. Pretty much met my expectations
Pretty good guitar stuff. Sultans of swing best track
Classic.
4/5
Really good bunch of trad rock, blues, roots, country from some great musicians.
I enjoyed this so much. The production is fantastic and consistent throughout, and they're so in tune with each other's playing; it's smooth and seamless. 40 minutes flew by. Chilled me right out. Sultans of Swing is an all-timer and the only song I knew prior, so it's my playlist pick. I like 'em all though.
Das selbstbetitelte Debütalbum der britischen Band Dire Straits ist ein stilles Meisterwerk, das mit seiner unaufdringlichen Eleganz und musikalischen Präzision überzeugt. Mark Knopflers unverwechselbarer Fingerpicking-Stil und seine lakonische Stimme verleihen Songs wie „Sultans of Swing“ eine zeitlose Coolness, die bis heute nachhallt.
Very good
Great guitarist
Classic cool riff album. Clearly know who you are listening to when you put this on.
Down to the Waterline would be my top choice if I was pole dancing in front of a group of Dads. This is my first time listening to Dire Straits, but I had certainly heard OF them. I wasn't expecting this blend of melancholia, country, groove, punk and Bob Dylan-esque vocals. I've been missing out. I'm curious to check out the rest of their discography since they really hit their popularity after this.
Been listening to this immaculate album for a lot of years. Band is so tight, all the songs are little gems with one spectacular Sultans of Swing stand out for all time gem right in the middle, and Mark Knopfler's guitar I could listen to forever. And yet - I think it's his growly voice that gets real boring every time I listen. I love all the parts, I don't love the album so much. 4 for the parts.
This is a great album! Dire Straits have such a unique sound as far as rock bands go. You can hear elements of folk and jazz music in the mix, which is very cool. The guitar weaves through the songs in a really mesmerizing way. I have loved Sultans of Swing for many years. There are some epic live versions of the song with amazing extended guitar solos. Another standout song for me is Wild West End. 8.5/10.
This was a phenomenal album front to back IMO. I think it definitely has some standout songs, that outshine the rest. Down to the Waterline (The opening bit was super dope, where it dropped into the groove outta left field!), and Sultans Swing. Plus you add in the fact that its their debut album.. Not many debut albums on this list so far that have been as spicy as this one here.
I do enjoy Dire Straits, specifically Mark Knopfler and his badass guitar. Great musicians, with swagger and mood, and some good grooves. This album is mostly new to me, I know their Greatest Hits and their latter albums more intimately. There are some real classics on this album with "Down The The Waterline" (125M listens), "Six Blade Knife" (115M), "Sultans Of Swing" (their definitive song, at 1.5B listens) & "Water Of Love" (70M). It's just a consistent album, with no filler, solid tracks and it's where it all started for a Rock Hall Of Fame band. "Wild West End" was a real gem I didn't know. Man makes his guitar sing! This one stands up well and still gets airplay for the hits, but the overall listen counts, with no song under 22M, is super impressive. Longevity, popularity and influence, check. 4 stars
I like this one way more than Brothers in Arms. It's more groovy and the composition is very good.
I am convinced this band is deeply dehydrated, or made up of mermaids. The first two songs have “water” in the name…“Southbound Again” talks about the River Tyne…even “Sultans of Swing” talks about being “south of the river”. Heck, the band and the album is named Dire STRAITS! Like Johnny Cash at Folsom Prison, someone needs to give these guys a cup of water.
Loved this more than Brothers in Arms. Has more pep in it's step.
8/10 I wasn’t expecting this to be as consistently strong, or as well produced as it is. I obviously know Sultans Of Swing, and it’s the jewel in the crown here, but the album as a whole is a really great blend of solid songwriting, incredibly tight playing and understated flair. There are a lot of solos, flourishes and riffs that are exceptionally delivered, but it never feels like showing off and, importantly, is never presented in a way that overshadows or gets in the way of the core song. The production is so crisp that you can hear every element of each track with extreme clarity, which makes repeat listening very rewarding, due to the aforementioned moments of flair that pop out all over the place as each track progresses. The vocals are unspectacular, but ground the songs really well. Anything more and it might have ended up sounding too showy, but it strikes a great balance against the rest of the playing. Mark Knopfler takes centre stage, as expected, but there are some really great moments from the rest of the band here and there too, which keeps things interesting and don’t let this become a one man show, which is always nice. While this isn’t necessarily my go to type of music, it was an engaging listening experience throughout and, while there were some lulls, they were fairly fleeting. A worthy addition to the list, no doubt. Down To The Waterline - This is smooth. The production is great, with every instrument having its space and the clarity of the tone and precision of the playing really shining. The control that they all have is so good, and the playing feels so fluid. The musicianship is obviously top tier and they allow themselves space to indulge, but also don’t let it overwhelm the actual song. Water Of Love - A change of pace here. It’s not quite as engaging as the opener, but the quality of performance and production is still so good. It just feels like it’s lacking the verve and range of Waterline and is just a bit too country for my tastes. It’s a nice, warm listen though. Setting Me Up - The rhythm of the guitars layered together is so good here. It’s all got a great swing and swagger. Again, it’s perhaps a bit too country blues for my tastes, but when it’s delivered this well, it’s kind of hard to not get sucked in. Six Blade Knife - Smooth. It’s got a little bit of grit to it, and some of the little flourishes from the guitar are so subtly delivered, but super cool. It’s a really decent, laid back track full of vibe. Good stuff. Southbound Again - More swagger. That staccato riff on the guitar has got great feel to it, and the little accents from the lead that just pop in now and again add great flavour. There’s nothing too complex to the structure, but the feel is so good. And it’s over in a flash. Sultans Of Swing - We all knew it was coming and here it is. This has got better pace than I ever really remember. It somehow shifts, but they also give it this laid back edge, like it’s built for dancing while having a lie down. There are more killer guitar licks in this one song than many bands have on an entire album. And none of it overshadows the actual song either, which is quite the balancing act. Everyone knocks it out of the park here, with even little touches of flair from the rhythm section here and there. They’re so tight, the performances are insanely good and the production lets you hear every bit of it in exceptional clarity. Beautiful. In The Gallery - This is solid too. It’s got swagger and feel in spades. The rhythm guitar tone and playing are quality in particular here. It’s not necessarily the most interesting or varied song, but the little moments of virtuosity hold your attention and keep things moving along while the rhythm just keeps things bouncing along nicely. Wild West End - This has got a different vibe to it. It’s pretty cool and has a really nice flow. I started off thinking I wouldn’t be that interested but the longer it went on, the more I got sucked into the vibe. Another quality track. Lions - This isn’t grabbing me quite as much, it’s feels a little less grounded than the previous track and some of the vocal delivery seems a little bit forced. the blend of smooth and sharp just seems a little bit less balanced than elsewhere. It’s still decent, just not as engaging for me.
Plinky guitar, lots of water based songs, some cowbell. Favorite is Water of Love and Six Blade Knife
These guitar riffs are an absolute treat, this guy manages to shred for the whole album without ever feeling too flashy or stealing the spotlight. In fact, the whole band feels perfectly locked in, in a way that I can only compare to Steely Dan's Aja. I'm sure there's a more technical way to explain it..... All I know is that it makes for Groovy Jams all around 🎸 Standouts : Down To The Waterline • Sultans Of Swing • In The Gallery • Wild West End • Lions
Insgesamt sehr groovy, entspannend, warm, tolle Gitarren Solos, versprüht einfach gute Vibes
This had me Southbound Again, rocking with the Sultans of Swing.
As good as these guys were, it doesn’t bring me a lot of pleasure to admit that when I was like 14 years old, I listened to a lot of Dire Straits.
Dire Straits self-titled debut album is a landmark for what it wasn't in 1978. I bought this at the age of 13, and it served as an essential lesson that "Rock" music extended far beyond the realm of heavy hitters like Zeppelin, Sabbath, and Purple. This album is an accomplished and stylish record that introduced a sound so distinct it remains instantly recognizable today. From the first few bars, it's clear Dire Straits were very different and immediately established the core elements that defined the band: - Mark Knopfler's Guitar: His finger-picked tone is clean, fluid, and entirely original. There's no bombast. - Knopfler's Vocals: His singing is unconventional, almost a husky, spoken narrative, but it perfectly suites the storytelling. - Rhythm Section: The backbone of the band is magnificent. The rhythm section is tight, with John Illsley's bass line being especially prominent and addictive, contributing to the album's wonderfully warm, groovy sound. - Production: Produced by Muff Winwood, the album possesses a warm, clean sonic quality that has aged well, giving the music its characteristic laid-back atmosphere. Of course the standout track is the quite magnificent "Sultans of Swing". Others would be "In the Gallery", "Wild West End" and "Down to the Waterline". As a whole, the album is a testament to subtlety and class in what was a loud era. For me the second side of the album is stronger, with the first side of the album having a couple of tracks that just lower the overall score. Although this is a favourite album of mine (I can recall exactly where I bought it!) objectively I would give it a rating of 4 stars. Side one 1 "Down to the Waterline" (5/5) 2 "Water of Love" (5/5) 3 "Setting Me Up" (3/5) 4 "Six Blade Knife" (3/5) 5 "Southbound Again" (4/5) Side two 1 "Sultans of Swing" (5/5) 2 "In the Gallery" (5/5) 3 "Wild West End" (5/5) 4 "Lions" (5/5) Total - 40 Average 4.44 123/1001 65/123 albums reviewed were new to me.
One of the all time best debut albums ever, for sure, and a great showcase for Knopfler's songs, distinctive voice, and otherworldly, God-like guitar. Still, I would have rather seen "Making Movies" or "Love Over Gold" on this list. Both have the cinematic, atmospheric epic songs that would come to fruition on "Brothers in Arms." But all of the ingredients were in place on this stellar album.
Not quite on the level of Brothers in Arms for me, that ones an atmospheric, epic masterpiece, but this is still a great listen. Knopfler kills it as always as a songwriter and musician, feel like I'm fucking levitating when the guitars kick in on Sultans of Swing, and theres some excellent bluesy pub rock tunes here, Setting Me Up rocks. Another one on this list that is just a super impressive debut
Really enjoyed this album! Knew one song but really appreciated the artistry through the whole album. Will listen to this artist again, the lyrics and beats were so engaging and keep my attention throughout it. I didn’t think about skipping a song once.
Sultans of Swing is a classic. The whole album is pretty good.
very catchy tunes!
Solid listen, road trip vibes
I never listened to Dire Straits but I enjoyed this album.
This is a really good album start to finish. Most everyone has heard the song Sultans of Swing, but the rest of the album holds up pretty well too.
Kanskje det e noen ubevisste barndomsminner som gjør at stemmen til Mark Knopfler føles så behagelig å hvile i? Det e liksom rettfram og enkelt og æ blir glad av det, uten at æ på nokka vis har et forhold til Dire Straits, anna enn kanskje at æ e den eneste som faktisk like "Walk of Life" og "Money for Nothing" (se også barndomsnostalgi).
Liked this one a whole lot more than brothers in arms, mainly due to the fact that this one wasn’t shite. Was very chill and had a good sound throughout. 4 stars
After not fully clicking with Brothers in Arms, going back to Dire Straits' self-titled debut felt like slipping on a glove. Between Mark Knopfler's husky delivery and his clean licks opposite his brother David's rhythm guitar rollick, paired with the laid-back rhythm section, and Muff Winwood's crisp production, there's a rather timeless feel to their early roots rock. It certainly sounds more timeless than the 80s synth-drenched tracks on Brothers in Arms. Yet at the same time, I can recognize this is their debut album, as the songwriting and compositions aren't consistently strong. It's rather apparent what the band's influences were this early on, and that few songs could break away from the low-key atmosphere to form their own identity or match the high quality of "Sultans of Swing". Still, Dire Straits' first record was a solid effort that showcased such impeccable talent from the get-go.
Sultans of swing
Somehow I like this white boomer rock
Wild ride full of great tunes!
I liked this. It's very vibey. I feel like the band is very good and very tight. It's simple but still so good. Feels like you're listening to a band at a small local band and you can hear every little thing they do. Very cool. Still not my exact taste. But it grew on me a lot. I would let someone else play this for a 2 hour car ride and not complain. Definitely an album you have to listen to with both headphones in.
Day 78 Such a good album! A classic(4/5)
Dad rock at its finest. Have always loved Dire Straits. Love the vocals, vibe and obviously the guitaring. Very enjoyable lister, would recommend.
this was so good i listened to it two times in a row. guitar, bass, and drums are all so effective. good driving album, good morning album. overall just really good x
This sounds so much better, more swingy and pure, than the corporate 80s pop of Brothers in Arms, the other Dire Straits album we’ve reviewed so far. Mark Knopfler’s guitar is so sweet here, especially on Sultans of Swing.
Not the coolest band for a lot of people but some class stuff. Knopfer is a machine, nearly late Dylanish in the singing, and phenomenal guitar playing. My da had a VHS of Old Grey Whistle Test, and it had a live Sultans Of Swing - watched it on loop trying to get near the guitar parts when I started playing, and he was really chuffed. My da that is, not sure how Knopfer felt to be honest
3,5/5
very good. this rating may well go up with time
An album so good I couldn’t just listen once. I always forget how much more bluesy Dire Straights are than what you hear on the radio
Sultans of Swing is a great track. Like the atmosphere of the album and the general vibe although a little bit too much country for me.
Proper Dad rock. Mark Knopfler a genius with a guitar. Not their best album, but a great debut.
I always like Dire Straits more than I think I do. But it's not as good as Madvillainy.
Sultans of Swing is still excellent, the rest is more of the same but not quite as good
Da jeg gikk på ungdomsskolen føltes det litt som plikt å like Dire Straits fordi Mark Knopfler er rå på gitar. Debutalbumet er kanskje den Dire-skiva jeg har hørt minst på, og jeg har ikke noe god forklaring på det annet enn at Money For Nothing og Walk of Life ikke er på den. Gjenhøret nå får meg til å innse at Knopfern egentlig er en veldig fornøyelig gitarist. Og kanskje har alderen gjort meg mer mottakelig mot lavmælte låter i rolig tempo med antydning til blues licks? Får i alle fall lyst til å gi resten av diskografien en ny sjanse Annet enn den åpenbare hiten liker jeg også Wild West End og Six Blade Knife godt
Good debt album. Wasn’t sure when it first came out. Saw them live in Clapham, found them a bit boring. Album has grown on me over the years. Now one of my favourites
Sultans of Swing is probably one of my all time favourite songs.
This is full-on guitar album. Obviously what really stands out here is "Sultans of Swing" which is a masterpiece. Knopfler's intricate playing shines throughout the album. Kind of seems like he drew some inspirations from some country players here like Albert Lee. "Six Inch Blade" is another standout track. "Water of Love" is a cool track as well. Taken as a whole, I feel like some songs are a bit weak, but this is still a very enjoyable listen all in all. 4.0/5.0 - great debut effort by Dire Straits.
Good album, best song easily sultans tho
En kolossalt stark fyra! Men resten av plattan kan inte leva upp till Sultans of Swing.
The guitar riffs on this rock. Just a very COOL album.
Dire Straits is in a league of their own. Absolute slapper of an album. Get goosebumps listening to it. Not quite Brothers in Arms but still so so good.
overwhelmingly solid album! plucky guitars, i loved the drums, the whole energy of it was fantastic! i would play this album during a montage of a road trip with an old friend. we've grown apart over the years and maybe we wouldn't even have chosen to do this together but there was a shenanigan at the airport we ran into each other at and got half-forced to share a rental car. he's travelling for work, needs to meet with an Important Client to Close The Deal, otherwise his company might go under. i'm getting out of town in a hurry because i did some things i'm not too proud of Back Home and need to lay low for a while. nothing too bad, but enough to drive the plot of this excursion. i'm a good person. we pass the miles through the desert sometimes talking, sometimes just reconnecting through silence, a bond that will find itself stronger than ever by the time we get to That Small City in dusty new mexico where we finally part ways.
This was some solid, easy listening. Great album that I think I could listen to more in the future.
Good. Wyatt only listened to half and fell asleep
bluesy-rock really nice - 8/10
Their debut album. Rock. For a debut album this is so slick. The band are super tight. Some great riffs and solos. Knopfler's blues guitar is so smooth. Sultans Of Swing is, of course, a classic track. A really good album especially for a debut.
Pretty fun album, I enjoyed it
That's good shit
I listened to this album with Rylee, and we both really enjoyed it. The songwriting specifically really stuck out to me, which I appreciated. I think that sometimes, with bands similar to Dire Straits, the lyrics get lost in the music, but I felt like both aspects melded together beautifully here. This album was groooovy in a laid-back way. The guitar really led the way for most of the time, but it felt intentional, not lazy. I've listened through this album a few times now, and it's gotten better with each listen. I think this will most definitely be an album I'll revisit many times.
Knopfler is so good. Sultans is one of the best guitar songs ever made, probably top 25. Such a tight band, everyone’s incredible and Knopfler is better than that. I love when he does melodic, memorable guitar. Everything he does serves the song, nothing is to show off unless it also makes the song better. That being said, this album is sort of boring. Other than sultans, nothing on here is incredible. I liked down to the waterline and six blade knife more than the others but it’s still a pretty boring endeavor. This’ll be a case of how high can an album with one of the best songs ever but nothing really else be rated, and I think in this case it’s a 4. The other two are boosting it from a three and I don’t think I could go below a 3 on this.
Proper album and great tunes. Have to deduct a star for the talk-singing though.
To me, Dire Straits is an acquired taste but once you're hip to it, it tastes real good.
Good vibes
Classic
Not their best album but like the music
Awesome debut album. Classic blues rock with some country aspects mixed in. All from an English band (big surprise!). Sultans of Swing is the best song on here, but the whole album was a pleasure to listen to. 3.56 / 5 stars
Now that’s some funky cowboy blues rock. Not a genre I knew I needed before this.
La guitarra más bonita que he escuchado en un buen tiempo. Ojalá no me hubiera rendido en mi intento de aprender a tocar guitarra.
(4) i was really confused because i really enjoyed track 1 and then the entire genre changed (the album from yesterday started playing again) but i like this album!
Really good album, definitely gave me the sound that makes Dire Straits, Dire Straits. Personal favorites from the album were
4.0 - Very Good
Already had sultans of swing favorited prior to listening. After listening to the whole album it’s definitely the best song on it. Vocals didn’t feel like there was a whole lot going on and the guitar was fantastic making it great background music
The sound is unique, the vocals quite fine, the writing good, but mostly it's the guitar, that brilliant freakin' guitar.
GREAT guitar
Very good
Dire Straits is a much underappreciated band because of their enormous success with Money for Nothing and Walk of Life. Many consider them to be one hit a wonder of sorts. This album is just one example of how good they truly.
Cool album, country-inspired guitar rock. What part of the Southern US are they from again? Wait. They’re English? Well now I’m just confused. Still cool though.
Guitar George who knows all the chords is an outlier adn shouldn't be counted.
Legendary guitar, great classic rock album.
7/10 Sultan of Swing needs the 4 stars 9-12-2025
My first album from this list was the other far popular Dire Straits album. I got that during one of my final days of spring semester, so how fitting that I get them again on the one of the first days back. My opinion on Brothers In Arms was that it had good songs but I didn't think I would return to a lot of it. That album had a more atmospheric 80s guitar driven sound which made for more hits. I thought it was alright; this record is different. I'm not saying I'm crazy for it cause I'm not, but this to me has more of what I like. It didn't hit me completely until Sultans Of Swing which I can't say I knew very well before but I'm glad I do now. It's a fantastic tune and as for the other tracks on this album, they all range from passable to very nice. I found the run between Sultans, In The Gallery and Wild West End to be the sweet spot. There's no 80s cliche or experimental approach here. All there is is some well-played guitar songs by a guitar band. Mark Knopfler, you got it, man. (7/10, 4/5 on this scale)
Sultans of Swing carries this album.
This is the Brittish response to Swamp Rock and Dire Straits is the Brittish Creedence Clearwater Revival. This album is a response to the mainstream rock at the time with a message loud and clear. "Let's get groovy". This album is great and Sultans of Swing is an ultra classic. Just a fantastic project and it's unbelievably polished for a debut.
It's tempting to say that this album is just jazz blues rock parts 1-9, but it's more "Mark Knopfler and his backing band". His playing is so distinct and so crisp, and that's really what makes this whole record. His singing is thankfully an afterthought, and the tight rhythm section and additional guitar playing serve as the stage of Knopfler's mastery of the instrument. You could handwave it away as him being a good rock and blues guitarist and nothing more but the playing in the faster songs (Sultans of Swing of course being the big one) is really on another planet. Nobody, especially at the time, was getting that tone and individual-note-level clarity out of the electric guitar in rock music. To this day, there is nobody I can think of that can play like him. If it wasn't so full of feeling I would say it's a machine because it's just that clean. Anyone else with these songs wouldn’t be that good of an album. I would even say the songs aren’t especially creative beyond “Down to the Waterline” and “Sultans of Swing”. I can’t get over the lead guitar though. It’s really something.
Sultans of swing
I really enjoyed this album. Instrumentals are top notch, and I love the blues that's infused throughout the album.
Easy listening. Stand out is Sultans of Swing
This album would be great from Sultans of Swing alone. The other songs hold their own, though none cross the line into favourites. Atmospheric, want to listen to on good headphones. Great guitars.
Great album… great guitar riffs… great story telling lyrics
Mark Knofler's smooth guitar is among my favorite sounds, and this album gives the best of it. 4/5
sultans of swing + down the waterline
Sultans is one of those songs that can come on while you're driving, and by the end you don't remember a thing about the drive. It's a late-night song. A song of dreams. As an album, I'll take Love Over Gold but the high points on this one are pretty high.
One of the most confident devices ever released. Incredible. Smooth. Easy going. All of the hallmarks that would define this band. Wonderful album.
Fantastic album. I got Brothers In Arms a few months ago and found that pretty good. I feel this is a step above that. Down to the Waterline and Sultans of Swing were a couple of my favourites.
Waterline - Mark Knopfler makes maximalism sound minimal. He’s playing a lot of notes, but within a limited range and percussively. He’s Clapton but with Dick Dale replacing the endless noodling with B E A T S. Water of Love - Agua theme. Is this from a plant’s POV? Folky ‘Dead vibes and chord progression. Mark isn’t the most cryptic lyricist. Setting - Funk 48. Honkytonkified F U ditty. Feels like a more dudely companion piece to 9 to 5. A Dolly duet on this would rip. SBK - Creepy serial killer love song with spare chill strums. Southbound - Barroom bounce with a great repeating riff that dances up and down the fretboard. A song that makes me grateful for Dire Straits by way of being thankful for The Minutemen. SOS - This song feels like the previous sounds on the record coalescing into a sudden revelation that is the Dire Straits. A stroll through a city of “competing” bands. A bemused scene expose with Harry and Guitar George and the bitter boys on the corner each having a say what music is. But MK and the Sultans — masters of chill - knows the secret: it’s never just “strictly rhythm”. Mark’s guitars pogo. Gallery - Goddamn, funk and folk make some beautiful babies. MK’s leaning, lyrically, into the character sketches and neighborhood reportage, and music is better for it. Mark’s guitar’s got more “soul” than a hundred Claptons. (I don’t hate EC; I just strongly object to him being called “blue eyed soul” bc that shit is white af.) WWE - Maybe it’s that it starts out with “Stepping Out” that made me think of Joe Jackson — or maybe it’s the prosaic poetry of the mundane found in the greasy corners of the city and the subdued reverence that sneaks in at the end as the blue collar WC Williams feels the revelatory sunshine on his face bouncing from concrete and glass. A love song to London’s West End with dirt under its fingernails. Lions - The most intriguing lyrics on the record. Another beat travelogue through Metropole but the flip of West End, focusing on the Fear. “She read about a swing to the right but she’s thinking of a stranger in the night” reads as far too relevant to me. I’m not sure who the Lions are or where they have gone — or why Mark misses them. Protectors? Kings of the City Jungle? An interesting song to allow to linger, as your outro. A really great record, especially the second half. MK’s percussive spare-where-it-matters guitar and beat poetry influenced and informed so many of the bands I love — Minutemen, Silver Jews, Unwound, even Fugazi just to name a few. His DNA is a crucial ingredient in the most savory indie rock ever made. Delicious, delicious DNA.
An absolute delightful record with Knopfler's exquisitely tasteful guitar playing that is impossible to ignore but yet never shoves itself down your throat. The spanky twang of songs like Setting Me Up, bouncy groove of Southbound Again, the undeniable geneious of Sultans Of Swing (I strongly recommend checking out the Live Aid version of this on Youtube). Just some of the most solid guitar pop rock there is.
i listened to this a long time ago and i thought it was so boring besides the first track and sultans, but this was a really good record, really solid for a debut as well, quality, found that each song was different and added to the album
Yeah alright, okay, yeah yeah, okay
A popular album around the house when I was a kid. Very nostalgic. Sultans of Swing is worth the price of admission. Solid blues rock. 4/5 #147
Je pense que j’ai trouvé mon style de rock préféré : à la fois puissant et doux .
This whole thing is just an excuse for Mark Knopfler to noodle on his guitar and that's fine. Throwing the rhythm guitarist under the bus on 'Sultans of Swing' seems mean.
Easy listening 70s bangers. Sultans of Swing still rocks in 2025, and In the Gallery is just OK, but overall a great album
An easy listen. Chill good rock album. One of the greatest BANGERS of all time and a couple great standout tracks. 7.8/10
Classic record from a classic group. Feels like an Americana record, but I was easily fooled. It's cool, chill, groovy and fun. The guitars are so sultry and smooth, instilling such a mood. Just a nice and easy record to listen to throughout. Listening to it from this project made me really appreciate what it represents.
Never heard this whole album before. Classic sound, great guitar work.
Excellent album with several memorable songs.
A bit sameish at times, but I'll always happily listen to Mark Knopfler play guitar.
Favorite: Down to the Waterline second favorite: Six Blade Knife
Tight production and musicality makes this an easy full-through listen, though some songs drag too long
4 sterne
smooth, awesome, fun to listen to
Good album. No surprises. Jangly white boy bluesy soft rock. Sultans of Swing is only standout on album.
It isn't often that a debut album unleashes upon the world a remarkably unique talent like Mark Knopfler, but aren't we lucky that this one did. His distinctive guitar playing style anchors some great songs here and while "Sultans of Swing" is the popular choice, "Wild West End" and others are equally (or more) worthy. This is a really solid release and while I may prefer Making Movies, that only reflects the artistic growth and shouldn't detract from just how good this album is.
Decent listen and a distinct vibe.
Top! Al vind ik brothers in arms nog beter.
I got to admit I wasn’t expecting Dire Strait’s debut album to be as chill as it was. It kind of lacked in variety as compared to their later efforts (Brothers In Arms), but it certainly made up for it with the Knopfler’s guitar playing. Seriously, this has to be some of the coolest guitar work put on an album. Normally, my main problem with 70’s rock was the over reliance of the solos, but here they were justified. It’s not perfect, but it makes for a chill vibe. And it’s got Sultans of Swing, so there’s that. Favorite track: Sultans of Swing Other hits: Down to the Waterline, Setting Me Up, Six Blade Knife, In The Gallery, Wild West End
This was an amazing new album with a new sound from down under
Never not ready to put these guys on. ✅✅ Down to the Waterline ✅✅✅✅ Sultans of Swing ✅✅✅ Wild West End
Into this
“walking in the wild west end, walking with your wild best friend” beautiful stuff
Great album
A good album to throw at zombies. Thought they were really cool sounding like Dylan.
Good
Great debut, not their best effort but a stand out for the 1970s
Know it well
Generally really like all Dire Straits tracks I'm familliar with (which is only a small part of the total). The tracks on this album I was not familiar with are pretty good as well.
Oh hell yes. Love Dire Straits. This should be good. Already have a couple saved from this album.
I've heard 'Sultans of Swing' on the radio a million times but never bothered to look up more of Dire Straits' music. Such a unique guitar character - I really enjoyed this one!
Dire Straits have been a staple in my ears since childhood, via my dad (although I think I have heard more Mark Knopfler solo stuff). That said, until now I have never listed to a Dire Straits album start-to-finish. It was as good as expected, with the cooler-than-cool vibe lasting throughout the entire album. My expectations were fairly high, and they were met!
Pretty sure I recorded this on cassette one Sunday night when WLAV FM (the rocker) played the album in its entirety without interruptions.
Je n' ai pas eu le temps de l'écouter mais je le connaissais déjà. Très bon album
Another absolutely killer debut album. Dire Straits is one of those bands that I’ve never actively seeked out, but always end up adding their music to my playlist when they pop up. This is consistently good from start to finish, but the only song that truly blows me away is “Sultans of Swing”, which of course I had heard a ton of times already before. Don’t get me wrong though, this album still absolutely kicks ass, and the singer/guitarist is so unique that I could probably recognize any Dire Straits song as soon as it starts, which is extremely impressive. 1 more Dire Straits album to go, very curious to see how they evolved over time, so I’ll for sure remember this album until then.
I've had a few albums recently where the mixing was quite atrocious. My first foray into the dire straights and I find myself marvelling at how expertly balanced the sound is. I was only familiar with "Sultans of Swing" before, but "Wild West End" is worth the album listen alone. Again, I cant overstate how crisp, clean, and deep this album sounds.
This is alright, though I can't see it being something I'd be itching to come straight back to. Accentuated by some playful little bass lines and some uplifting jangling leads, there is also a sense of melancholy hanging over it via the themes conveyed throughout. However, much like with a couple of other albums I've listened to so far, this is perhaps a tad rudimentary to leave a significant impression on me. Possibly also not helped by a feeling of blues fatigue washing over me. [upgraded to 4⭐ on a subsequent revisit]
Very enjoyable. The vocals are like Bob Dylan but more radio friendly and mainstream but regardless this was good. sultans of swing is a generational banger.
Pretty sure "Sultans of Swing" played every day on SWLA 92.9 The Lake. Overall, I enjoyed the album though there were a few moments where the singer's inflection reminded me too much of Bob Dylan.
loved it, very well produced and arranged, like most of the songs, only problem is they all kind of sound more or less the same and i'd like a bit more of a mix up
Decent album, I only remember listening to Sultan's of Swing prior to the whole album. Pretty consistent, solid songs that feel much more recent than 1978.
Dit was een stuk leuker dan ik dacht. Waarschijnlijk word ik oud. Ik ben in mijn jeugd doodgegooid met Dire Straits/Mark Knopfler. Met dank aan mijn vader. Daarna deed ik het af als ouwelullenmuziek, maar ik dit is een plaat die je eigenlijk van begin tot eind op kunt zetten om je dag mee te beginnen. Lekker rustig wakker worden.
very good!
Sultans of swing is that good, it’s worth 4 stars on its own.
Pretty good. I like the guitar and the instruments, go well together, and with the lyrics. Nice, chill songs to listen in summer, on the beach, or on a road trip. The songs are a bit similar though. 4 stars.
Cool
Standout Songs: Setting Me Up Southbound Again Sultans Of Swing In The Gallery Lions Very pleasant blues rock album, I did quite enjoy it
Reminds me of the music Mom used to listen to when I was a kid. <3
I’ve never listened to anything but their singles. I remember reading about how awesome of a guitar player mark knopfler was in guitar world a long time ago. I didn’t care. Now I’m blown away. The way he hits the strings. And can control the tone he wants. Amazing.
I wanted to like this album from the first notes of the opening track, such is the persuasive power of Mark Knopfler's characteristic guitar style. I love that this album starts off in a quiet and understated way. While the guitar in particular seems to arrive to this debut album with a fully formed idea of how it wants to be in Dire Straits, I got the feeling, especially from the first half of the album, that the rest of the band wasn't so sure. It felt a bit like different musical ideas were being tried on. "Down to the Waterline" and "Southbound Again" felt like a foray into Bob Dylan's lane, for example, whereas I can hear Gordon Lightfoot's "Sundown" in "Water of Love", and "Setting Me Up" sounds like any routine in-house bluesy band. However, once the album rolled over to "Sultans of Swing", I realized the vocals still had the same Dylanesque sound, but the effect was totally different. Is it because I already know this song and it's a quintessential Dire Straits song? Maybe. Probably. But it shifted my viewpoint. In any case, I liked the second half of the album a lot more. All of the last four tracks are great. While I don't love everything about this album, the strength of Knopfler's guitar playing and a few standout songs make this an album I'd happily listen to again.
sounds just like them - nice stuff
Surprisingly awesome album
Dire Straits rules. Listen to that playing! Bangers!
um rockzinho de pai, tem bastante influencia de bob dylan e neil Young mas o mark knopfler é um guitarrista que sabe se curtir, achei divertido.
4.5 stars. Impressive debut album with clean production and good hooks and very listenable blues rock. Standout is "Sultans of Swing".
Is “Sultans of Swing” enough to get this album to four stars? Maybe? But just barely. In reality, the album is probably not quite worth four stars. But it’s close enough to round up.
groovy af. i like it
chill
Need to listen again
Already own this Vinyl because the Dire Straights are awesome. Interesting that in the Wikipedia, it described the "Sultans of Swing" song as having an "inescapable hook" and "Bob Dylan-like snarl in its vocal. Luckily it's not the case, cause Dylan sucks as a vocalist. Mark is a much better singer than Bob. Anyway, Sultans of Swing will make the 1001 playlist, and it gets a 4.3 star rating from me.
Solid album. This would be a good addition to my vinyl collection. Probably not one I'd pick out of my own volition to listen to very often, but I often listen to a randomly selected album from my collection, and I'd happily throw this one on if so selected. Sultans of Swing is a classic.
Good, really good. Didn’t know a British band could implement country and blues sound so well. Best songs: down to the waterline, six blade knife, sultans of swing, Wild West end.
blues
Dire Straits is generally under appreciated.
Oh yeah...nice
I’m thinking a 4, relaxed, good for background.
Not appropriate for the month of June, however, juicy fingerstyle is the key to what makes this album great.
Nå snakker vi. Dire Straits er fett. I will die on that hill.
this album is so many family road trips growing up.
Loved this one
This album really cements Dire Straits place in rock and roll mythos. Mark Knopfler’s guitar work is inimitable and in a league of its own when it comes to style and sound. It gives you even more respect for him when you realize he’s also the singer! His vocals sometimes feel very Bob Dylan inspired, which works in the albums favor. The instrumentation feels very inspired by soft rock and blues rock bands like The Eagles and The Grateful Dead. John Illsley and Pick Withers lay down a solid rhythm section on every song, with Withers bringing in some very exotic sounding drum rhythms. David Knopfler is the cherry on top, backing up his brother on rhythm guitar. Songs like the Up tempo groove Down to The Waterline, the almighty guitar epic Sultans of Swing, and the smooth and laid back Lions, really show how tight the band members were and how they were all masters of their craft. There are some points where the songs can blend together, but I don’t think it damages the overall album experience.
It’s okay. I liked the mellow vibe of the album. It got better towards the end, after Sultans of Swing.
Distinct sound
Yeah, sounds like Dire Straits. Great album, but not their best by a long shot. However, still excellent.
Such clean guitar. Even if some of the songs are longer than I’d prefer, it’s never really boring.
Really enjoyed, cool sound.
Creative guitar genius unleashes his songwriting
Good album sultans is a banger of course 3.5
This is #day302 of my #1001albumsyoumusthearbeforeyoudie challenge, and… "I want my MTV!" Oh, wait… not yet, right? Anyway, Dire Straits... a band from the classic rock radio station with a never-ending run of "Sultans of Swing," "Money for Nothing," and "Brothers in Arms." As for the debut, this is exactly the kind of record you go to when you want some signature guitar work, particularly from the late '70s. Perfect for a Saturday evening with a lager beer. A great debut to boot. P.S. This is a revisit review, since I promised myself to be more open-minded. This is a 4 out of 5. Looking forward to #day303.
This is a great debut from a hugely popular band. It's an album I used to own until a burglary relieved me of my copy. By then my tastes had moved on, but I still have a high regard for this album.
4/7
Even though I prefer Communiqué, I also really like Dire Straits’ first album. It’s hard to explain or justify, and I know they didn’t invent anything, but this band helped me at a young age, while I was growing up with Miles Davis only, not to fear guitar bands. It was a brilliant debut album, totally anachronistic in the middle of the punk wave. However, to me, both of those first albums feel very close to very good blues. They’re laid-back and still have enough variety and surprises to keep me interested, and of course, there’s a unique, soulful touch in the guitar playing. A simple track like Six blade knife still sounds like honey to me.
This was a pleasant surprise. I've heard Sultans of Swing but I wouldn't have known who had performed it. The guitar playing on this album is great. I'm a sucker for good guitar work, and I enjoyed the guitars on pretty much every song on this album. The songs are simple and the arrangements are clean. Just excellent guitar playing. Very easy to listen to and enjoy.
very vibes and bluesy and reminds me of my dad, aside from the classic sultans of swing, more of a bop my head and have a soundtrack to life going on behind, i do like wild west end too though this is the OG twinkly noodling though, nice tone on the geetars
Listened through 3 times and it got better each time
Another one I own a physical copy of. Worth a listen for Sultans of Swing alone, but this is a solid album through and through.
Always forget these dudes are British...more bluesy than I expected, but in a good way. 'Sultans of Swing' is an all-timer - didn't realize it came off their first album.
I enjoyed this, some great tracks
ooo ye
This was excellent, a lot more American Honky-Tonk than I was expecting but really enjoyed it.
Good listen, it reminds me of going to car shows with my parents when I was little. A lot of the song were familiar. I feel like this is a good road trip album.
Bob Dylan fronting the War On Drugs doing a concert of Dire Straits covers challenge.
Loved this album. Guitar is incredible throughout
It’s got an unmistakable ‘Dad rock’ vibe, and the under-developed songwriting can give the tunes a bit of sameness. But the band is tight, the guitar playing awesome, and it washes over you in a pleasant, warm bath kind of way that can make for an enjoyable listen.
7/10 very relaxing vibe, would be more enjoyable on a summer night by the pool
Love his voice and the guitar phrasing
4/5 great guitar work
A really fun album. It sounds surprisingly modern for something released in 1978. Great rock-blues with a touch of country mixed in.
Sparked a reinvestigation of Dire Straits for me - this album has some wonderful tunes.
Sultans of Swing
Some absolutely astounding compositions on there make up for the ordinariness of the rest 4.3
Cool bluesy rock songs with finger picking. Pretty fire.
Decent album, sultans of swing does pick it up a bit 4/5
Listening to the same song 9 times in a row but that song is a banger
So excellent, never gets old.
Legendaran album, bio bi grijeh dati manje od 4/5, 7/10
I love his sound. Very chill. A vibe.
Fantastic guitar work
Loved this! Very refreshing, and I don't believe I had ever listed to the Dire Straits before.
I liked this one. Just wondering what happens after 1001 albums, does the app self destruct?
Enjoyable
4.5 stars. Fantastic album.
Great debut album from a band who seemed to appear from nowhere fully formed sonically. Sultans is obviously the most well known but other tracks on the album are equally as good.
Sultans Of Swing is on the debut album ???????
perfect album to listen to on holiday. fav songs : Sultans of Swing & Wild West End
Really enjoyable and good listening, but it wasn't a "classic" for me, not like "Brothers in Arms"
I always thought Dire Straits was a late 60s or early 70s band. Their music doesn't feel like it should be popular around the emergence of hair metal. They are a solid band, but they just feel so old, even for the time. They honestly feel like an old version of Steely Dan. Sultans of Swing is still iconic, even though I always thought it was a Doors song. Best Songs: Down to the Waterline, Sultans of Swing, In the Gallery Worst Songs: Setting Me Up, Wild West End,
Kohtuullisen taitava kitaristi
Very good listen. I really enjoyed the music, the guitar, the vocals were good too. Though i think the guitar melodies take the cake. Lyrics are great too! Very enjoyable experience, and great vibe.
Outstanding debut, three iffy tracks, otherwise pure genius.
Great album. A couple of weaker trackers for me but the guitar is unreal. Replayed a few times!
This was great! I listened to this on the subway home tonight. I was in a good mood and really enjoyed Mark Knopfler's voice. It is very soothing and precise, he doesn't need to raise his voice and he just has a great flow. Sultans of Swing is just so so good and I get the feeling the whole album is built around it. I wonder if bands sometimes get a real time feeling when they are recording a song that they have hit the nail on the head, I bet these guys were pretty happy with how Sultans of Swing was sounding haha.
Well guys this is a great record & well worth a listen. First release by Dire Straits & they exploded onto the music scene in '78. Guitar work was always an outstanding feature of Dire Strait music & this record is a good example. These songs were a breath of fesh air at the time of release - a change from the New Wave/Punk music that was surging through the scene at the time. From memory some great tracks but I'd have to listen to it again ...... Sultans of Swing was, and still is, an absolute classic ..... I seem to recall In the Gallery & Water of Love were also great pieces of music. It's an 'essential listening' job this one. Some great Dire Straits music followed in later albums which included some other classics that have stood the test of time ...... Romeo & Juliet on the Making Music LP is one that comes to mind. I'll have another listen when I get a chance .....
I listen to half this record :) Living in the 70's is a banger. I will come back to this one for sure.
I love this type of country music! Full of slide guitar and dust and sun and slow movement, not a pop production in sight. The spoken/sung vocals play exceptionally well with the guitar, sometimes I don't like how affected they are in songs like Six Blade Knife though, it feels forced. The life-like personality of the guitar riffs, fills, and backing more than makes up for any vocal transgressions. Faves: Water of Love, Setting Me Up, Sultans of Swing, In the Gallery (purely for the guitar personality), Wild West End Love it. Not sure that I needed to hear it before I die.
I bought this LP in either 1982 or 1983, which is strange, because although I remember *really* liking Romeo and Juliet at that time, it's not on here, and I was never crazy about Sultans of Swing, which is the only other DS track I think I would have known. I can only think that my logical brain was at work, making a decision that Dire Straits were worthy of investigation, and so I might as well start at the beginning. Anyway, I became really fond of it, and, of course, because I bought it as a teenager, I still know literally every note. The other odd thing is that I did become fond of it, because this was, and still is, a bit of an anomaly in my record collection. I liked posers! Cool stuff! The Cure, etc etc. But like it I do. I like the fab guitar work, the unsophisticated lyrics, a suggestion of north-east misery in the melodies (despite fierce pride in their roots: it's only just occurred to me that much of this album is about what it's like to try to become successful, to have to travel to London, to deal with agents, etc, when you're from the north east of England). It's to their credit that they unapologetically expressed all of this via the sounds of U.S. country roads, which doesn't make any sense, but, hey, that's what they were into. Mark Knopfler couldn't pull off cool menace (Six Blade Knife) but he cannily observed all life around him and described it in some great songs. I do still (mainly) like Dire Straits; they're not cool, but they're good. There's more than enough here (and on Making Movies, which I hope we get) to show that they had soul in abundance. (Their nadir, for me, several years after this, was the unbearably stompy and cheery Walk of Life. We'll probably get Brothers in Arms as well, at which point I may have to be quite rude about that song.)
Great album. Groove, feel, sound, it's all there in this dad-rock collection
4/10
loved it, more a 4.5
Nice
the most famous guitar solo, and other songs by dire straits, i didnt knew they were british, but yeah .. amazing, actualy scottish
6,88
Not a giant Dire Straits fan, but this pretty great and the high rez version is stellar sounding. And c’mon, Sultans of Swing.
Very good album. Quite a debut. Sultans of Swing sounds as good today it did (almost) 47 years ago. If Brothers in Arms is their masterpiece then this is a "4".
A bouncy rock band from the late 70s. Has a lot of guitar prominence in its songs, where some of the lyrics are barely whispered almost as if to to make way for it. Most of the songs tell a story that are fun to visualize, if a bit nostalgic. The general guitar tune seems verging on what more modern country has settled on. Sultans of Swing is highly rated for a reason but still falls a little short for my personal liking.
Very impressive debut album! Probably top 10 debut albums. I just loved the vibe, and feels like a sweet road trip playlist.
Incredible guitar work but semi-forgettable songwriting
Amazing album, glad I got to revisit it since it's been a while since I've listened. Wish I knew how to describe their style but it's great either way.
Road trip music
Couple big hits, supported by a steady easy groove and great sound for all the rest. On the line, but +1 for solid debut album. 4
Knop slays, cool to hear their start
The opening chords of "Down To The Waterline" showcase the unmistakable blues pub rock sound that has characterized Dire Straits for decades. Mark Knopfler's unique fingerstyle technique, combined with his smooth yet occasionally rough baritone vocals, mesh beautifully with the band's harmonization, tight rhythms, and powerful percussion. This album features a rich blend of musical styles, including folk, country, reggae, jazz, and particularly blues rock, reminiscent of J.J. Cale. This eclectic mix creates a distinct sound that stands in contrast to the punk and disco movements that were gaining popularity at the time. The production quality of this album is remarkable; the recording is clear, the sound is rich, and the songs are organized in a cohesive arrangement. Notable tracks include the opening number "Down To The Waterline," the enduring hit "Sultans of Swing," as well as "Water of Love" and "Wild West End." This album remains fresh and enjoyable, without feeling outdated. It is truly a great listen.
My Dad loved Dire Straits so I have a special place in my heart for them. I particularly remember listening to Sultans of Swing.
Sultans of Swing is very good. I can see myself liking the rest of the album more over time too. 3.5 Stars.
Surprised that I enjoyed this, given the singularly dismal offering Dire Straits previously had in my listening history. I would wager it's due to the blues rock and country grounding of this release. I don't know why they got rid of it a few years later. Shit slaps.