Reviews (page 7 of 15)
A far better album than brothers in arms. But personally I find Dire straights a bit of an English Eagles (not musically) they please nearly everyone in their style.
Smooth, usually don’t like this type of music, but dire straits is an exception
Great album. Some songs I wasn’t as familiar with but I really enjoyed it.
Much better than the last one. Real music by real musicians.
найс, претензий нет.
Good dependable Dad Rock
4.3 Random Thoughts - Down by the waterline is my 2nd favorite Dire Straits song. Would be cool to hear a a McCartney- Knopfler collaboration, I think Paul could come up with some tasty bass lines in these songs.
Listen to in west Texas with Victoria while she was talking about how the mountains looked like piles of cocoa powder and the yuccas looked like muppets. It’s ok. Not exactly my speed, but great smooth guitars licks and complementary drums. Probably nice for a dinner party or something your mom wants to do on a Sunday.
3.5/5 enjoyed the guitar and smooth vibes of this album.
Круто, очень круто. Риффы Марка Нопфлера просто шедевральны, но для меня как то кисло слишком, я, к несчастью, больше фанатею по чему-то альтернативному, 4/5 (sultans of swing шедевр на все времена, несогласен-саси)
pretty fire sultans of speeding is gas
Chilled listening, will certainly return.
Another high school staple. I am familiar with most of their catalog, and this is a sparkling debut and introduction to Knopfler's signature (and remarkable) guitar style and play. The record gets a little sleepy... don't want to say filler, but it's not 100% packed with killer A material. I much prefer Love Over Gold and Making Movies to the two albums on the 1001 list. Of course, this includes the in-a-league-of-its-own "Sultans of Swing," which is notable in that I (and dare I say millions of people) can sing Knopfler's guitar soloing from memory. That's a feat, particularly as there's a lot of it. The easy highlight of the album. "Water of Love," "Down By The Waterline," "Setting Me Up" are other tunes I love, but as the second half plays, things get a bit forgettable. So, really solid album with a monster classic hit and introduction to a music icon.
Forgot how much I love Dire Straits!
Favorite tracks were Southbound Again and Wild West End. Good music quality, seems to focus on the skill of the guitarist. Vocals were cool, if a bit grungey from time to time. A lot of these songs sound like movie soundtracks or road trip songs. I generally liked them, but they're not very singable for me which is a downside.
funky
This is a tough one. Sultans of Swing is a massive hit. I really liked In the Gallery. No bad songs really. 4 stars.
Gran debut. Muy buen disco.
About halfway through I was at a 3, but the last couple of songs really pointed out the intricate arrangements on the album. I kind of wish the songs were a touch better, but Sultans of Swing is soooo good, it kind of makes up for it. I think it's a 3.5 for me, but bumping up for the care taken!
i like it. it's not something that i would usually pick on my own but i really enjoyed the use of instruments and just the overall sound of the album.
Este álbum libera al padre boomer que llevo dentro. Llámame normie, pero me flipa. Muy fácil de escuchar y, al mismo tiempo, excelente en lo técnico. Y una densidad enorme de temas clásicos. Poco que objetar, un álbum que no ofende a nadie y perfecto para poner de fondo.
i've yet to hear this in full, only know sultans of swing off of here Down to the Waterline - 5/5 Water of Love - 4/5 Setting Me Up - 4/5 Six Blade Knife - 4/5 Southbound Again - 4/5 Sultans of Swing - 5/5 In the Gallery - 4/5 Wild West End - 4/5 Lions - 5/5 Total score: 4.3/5 i can't lie, first track hooked me almost instantly. the guitar riffs, the silky smooth bass... i've clearly been sleeping on dire straits
Great album. Favourite tracks are Six Blade Knife and In The Gallery 4/5
For no reason I can explain, I've always felt guilty about liking Dire Straits. Maybe something I liked as a kid and that shouldn't have been carried into adulthood? Anyway. Funny to be reminded how country they were (Setting Me Up especially). Otherwise, solid album, and weirdly timeless. Permission to self to not feel guilty granted.
Ja shit, ik vond het vorige Dire Straits album echt verrassend leuk. En eigenlijk begint deze precies hetzelfde, met een soort jazzy, bluesy gitaar waar ik gewoon echt heel lekker op ga. Ben ik dan toch een oude witte man aan het worden? Eerlijk, de gitaar en bass solos op dit album funken gewoon heel hard. Sultans of Swing is ook gewoon een klassieker, best wel bizar dat dit hun debuut album was, ze klinken al zo gepolijst. Nadeel van hun 'sound' is wel een beetje dat het ietwat verwaterd in het midden van het album, nummers 3 tm 5 is vrij matig en snel te vergeten. Het album komt dan aan bij Sultans of Swing, wat natuurlijk een absolute knaller is, maar daarna kakt het toch ook weer een beetje in. Ik irriteer me geen moment aan dit album en zou het prima vinden het nog eens te luisteren, maar buiten de FAVO nummers, kabbelt het toch voornamelijk voort zonder dat het echt mn aandacht pakt. Toch denk ik aan 4 sterren, puur omdat het echt wel lekker weg luistert en precies lang genoeg is. FAVO: Down to the waterline, Water of love, Sultans of Swing
Luv me dire straits, never listened to this album though. I now have a few new favourites, also liked how country it sounded on some tracks
I already knew Sultans of Swing was one of the greatest songs of all time but I'd never listened to this album before. It's pretty damn great. Nobody makes a guitar sing like Mark Knopfler. It always sounds like he's singing a duet with it rather than just playing it. It almost feels like one long song, which I'd usually complain about, but that guitar gets into your soul and I love it. However, it does mean there aren't any other stand out songs for me so I wouldn't be able to give it a 5.
was so tempted to give a 5 just for sultans of swing buuut it's just not quite there a very very strong 4 tho 🙂↕️
Mark Knopfler is one of my favorite guitar players ever. His technical abilities, sparse and tasteful licks, deep affection for jazz as well as quirkiness (famously not using picks) kind of remind me of Stewart Copeland but for guitar! This album is a testament to his incredible guitar tone. I didn't love all of the songs, especially tracks 2-5, but then you get Sultans of Swing which is just massive and the rest of the album keeps it at a high level. strong 4
sehr gute musik, geht in die entspannte richtung
From this album I was previously only familiar with Sultans of Swing. While that is certainly the best track, I would say it's one of several that are worthwhile. I liked this album, and while I think I prefer Brothers in Arms this one is worth listening to again.
This band can jam. 4/5
I see why sultan of swing has a billion streams on netflix!
i like this album quite a lot! down to the waterline, water of love, and wild west end were my faves.
Absolute chill record, amazing first outing for the band, sweet songs and amazing guitar playing. At times a little country influence here and there, but no complaints.
It's Dire Straits. Those guys make delicious music. This was a little less mature than later efforts but still so enjoyable.
i’m constantly amazed at how genuinely actually i enjoy dire straits. i don’t know why but i always just think to myself like ugh dire straits here we go but then i turn it on and i’m like wait i’ve heard this song on the radio a million times and actually i like this. i still don’t love this guys voice, i think he’s a weird singer, but i think we gotta hit a low 4 here. considering a 3, but i felt generous today
it's pretty cool. not much else to say
Southbound again is fire, obviously sultans of Swing is a classic. Overall very strong. Down to Waterline has a very similar sound to SoS? But definitely recommend 7.5/10
8.5/10 I actually had just recently deep dove this album so felt pretty fresh. I really like what they do here and contextually at this time in music this was an inventive look at what rock could be moving forward. Sultans of swing maybe top 50 rocks songs ever? favorite song: sultans of swing
Such a warm and beautiful record. That guitar is CRISP
I can really see myself sitting in my garage and drinking 5-8 beers to this
New to me. Not bad. Will revisit.
I liked it. Added “sultans of swing” and “Wild West end”
Really good
8/10.
I kind of liked it. Sort of passively listened so can't speak too much to it. But it had some nice instrumentals and a good swinging feel. Kind of corporate feeling after while though.
Listened before
4/5 stars, the strats just the best shape isn’t it
Solid rock album, none of the songs really stick out aside from the obvious Sultans of Swing, but damn does this album sound incredible and played extremely well. That strat tone is out of this world
Big fan of this one, very close to a 5 but some
More variety than I expected
-*Down to the Waterline—groovy sound; enjoy the clear guitar. Honestly the middle guitar solo makes me want to look out over the sea in Italy. Mark Knopfler’s voice is sweet and intriguing. Between talking and singing which is a cool, slick style. -*Water of Love—Opening makes me think island music. Chill song. The compositions sounds both complicated and simple. The instruments kept me around then I started to enjoy the lyrics. -Setting Me Up—is that Bob Dylan? Lol. Again, pleasant instrumentals that keep me around. I can appreciate Knopfler’s voice but it’s not my favorite style. Feels like there’s some rockabilly influence -*Six Blade Knife—I want this played in a 60’s/70’s club with smoke making the air hazy while a man in a slick suit approaches a suave lady and they go out to the dance floor. What are their secrets, why are they here? No one knows, but they dance the heck outta that floor. -Southbound Again—southern rock influence? Groovy. -**Sultans of Swing—first, love the song title; Knopfler and the guitar having a conversation, sharing a story. Very enjoyable listen. “We are the sultans of swing.” -In the Gallery—bit slow for me, imagery and subject is interesting -*Wild West End—another lyrically interesting song. Like singing a journal entry. “Excuse me talkin’, I wanna marry you…you’re just another angel in the crowd” -*Lions—“yes, and a girl is there/high-heelin’ all across the square” great lyric. Metaphorical imagery and nice song construction. Really enjoy the guitar work on each song. Knopfler’s voice stands out but isn’t my particular favorite. Each song is well crafted and interesting. The album is cohesive and a standout as a band’s first release. Enjoyed the guitar outros. Dang, Mark Knopfler is quite the songwriter. *would download **definitely heard before
Stellar guitar tones and production. Hard to believe it's their debut!
Great stuff.
smooth not quite country vocals with a zippy cool instrumentation, enjoyed quite a bit
Sultans of Swing is very good. I can see myself liking the rest of the album more over time too. 3.5 Stars.
I can't think of any other band that incorporates the guitar the way Dire Straits do. It isn't just a guitar solo or two per song. Used almost like punctuation during vocal sections. And the guitar sound is so clean. Really stands out during an era that was progressing to heavier distortion.
Good jams
Dire Straits were just so cool. This listen inspired me to learn Sultans of Swing on guitar and I discovered that most of the songs on this album were in a pretty similar lane - great vibe.
This album would be four stars even without Sultans of Swing, one of the best songs ever. Mark Knopfler is one of the sliest of modernists, gently coaxing us into the (then) new wave.
Sultans of Swing is one of my favorite songs. Enjoyed the rest of the album as well. 4/5
Great mix of picking, country swing, blues and jamming...but still all Dire Straits signature sound. Really surprised I've never heard this album. When I was a kid and Money for Nothing blew up MTV...nobody really knew much about the guys in headbands.
Great guitar work and southern vibe from a shockingly English band.
One of the best guitarists in our time playing some of the most boring music
Histórico
Second-best album from one of my favorite bands
Chill! Would def get the vinyl!
Loved the guitar. But did not connect with it on any deeper level.
They really have their sound figured out in this album. Sultans of Swing is a great song that I always enjoy, and so the rest of this album with many very similar songs was good.
I really disliked the first half but the second half was really something
SoS and you’ve heard the DS style. Doesn’t stop it banging
Jejshuse
I'm a sucker for blues rock so I really enjoyed this one. Nice and minimal with catchy rifts in-between.
What worked for me: The sound has this knack for being both laid-back and deeply moving, making the album perfect for immersive listening. Knopfler has such a knack for painting vivid pictures with his words. What didn't: Sometimes, reading like singing and knopfler's way with the words was a little hard on me. Taking a second and multiple spin to really dive into the lyrics and narratives is necessary and I am sure it will be a treat My Take on all the numbers: Down to the Waterline: That atmospheric intro really pulls you in, and the vivid imagery of clandestine romance near the docks is beautifully set to that shimmering guitar. Water of Love: A bluesy, laid-back track that feels deeply soulful. The slide guitar adds a haunting, almost swampy feel to the yearning lyrics. Setting Me Up: A punchy, up-tempo number with a slight country vibe. It’s sharp and fun, and Knopfler's wit really comes through. Six Blade Knife: One of the moodier tracks. The minimalist arrangement and that tension-building riff perfectly convey the theme of danger and betrayal. Southbound Again: This one’s upbeat and driving—a real road song. The relentless rhythm mirrors the feeling of moving forward without looking back. This didn't work that great for me. Sultans of Swing: The crown jewel of the album. Everything about this track—from the jangly riffs to Knopfler’s effortless storytelling—is pure magic. That guitar solo? Iconic. In the Gallery: A poignant track, and maybe one of the most lyrically rich on the album. It feels like a tribute to unsung artists, with an undercurrent of social commentary. Wild West End: By now, you’ll get a full sense of the album's arc. It has this dreamy, wandering quality, capturing London life in such a relatable, nostalgic way. Lions: meanwhile, closes things on a playful but reflective note, with Knopfler’s guitar carrying that signature mix of restraint and brilliance.
didnt really click too well, but enjoyed the variety and listening to the full album
that was a bop. I'll definitely listen again
I’ve been aware of Mark Knopfler’s immense talent for some time, but for some reason I’ve still slept on Dire Straits. And shame on me for doing so. This album was excellent. They have a very stripped-down sound, while still giving the listener plenty to listen to. I enjoyed each song and didn’t really find any fat that I would cut out. I’m just amazed by Mark Knopfler’s ability.
Somehow had never heard of these guys before this listen, but they're obviously very popular. I'm a massive Hendrix stan but this was probably my favorite listen yet so far. Very smooth feel to it, really enjoyed this album.
I really don't enjoy sultans of swing but liked the album as a whole, added it to my playlist to listen again.
I like it when things slide around and twing and ping and there is a lot of that in this. I’ll listen to it again I’m sure of it
3.5
Class Pure buttery guitar tunes ooft
4.5
This is solid. Would listen again.
Enjoyable listening. I like Knopfler's tone and style although it does sometimes feel like he uses the same 3-4 licks over and over again.
Solid platta. Många bra låtar. 8/10
Day 0014/1001 of One Album a Day / Listened to whilst: commuting Unremarkable but also not bad barring Sultans of Swing which is of course phenomenal. No noticeably bad tracks either imo. Fav tracks: down to the waterline / six blade knife / sultans of swing Worst tracks: none
This was good. Then went and listened to all of Brothers in Arms too. Sultans of Swing is absolutely brilliant and worth the high rating alone. The voice ans guitar playing is just lovely.
Another artist that suffers from my 80's music video overdosing, which ruined quite many bands for me, that I don't want to listen or it doesn't even dawn on me they might have something I would enjoy listening. While I enjoy Dire Straits playing and laid back style of music, I subconsciously feel like something horrible is about to play, all the time. It is a problem I have with surprisingly many bands, I'm finding out.
My favorite Dire Straits release, love every song on here.
Toll. Aber ich mag die dire straits auch einfach sehr gern. 4.5 Sterne.
Que músicas gostosas de ouvir, e é o tipo de música que por si só nunca iria conhecer
8.7/10 Extremely catchy, well produced, every instrument is totally in harmony with the next, flows nicely, well written songs, probably will fare worse on future listens.
Great country blues record. And specifically Mark Knopfler’s guitar tells a story without speaking a word. Sultans of Swing is obviously a classic, and a masterpiece and Southbound Again really shines!
Very nice guitaring
Some really great songs on this album. Sultans Of Swing has one of my favorite guitar solos on it. The other songs are great too with that same classic American rock vibe to it. I'm sure that I will listen to this one many more times.
Big fan of Mark Knopfler so happy that this album has turned up. Know this fairly well as my brother had this album early 80s. Have always found that Dire Straits stood out from other bands of the period. There is a slight eccentricity to DS music that went against the norm. Clever guitar picking, steel guitar, moody slide, bluesy with a hint of Chet Atkins country. Although, for a debut album, it seems a bit safe. Some tracks, 'down to the waterline', have a hint of Bob Dylan about them, which is no bad thing. Stand out track is clearly 'Sultans of Swing'. 4 stars from me.
Not their best but Definitely good
Great Album! Playable front to back with some huge highs! Sultan of Swing is an all time contender.
I wish all the songs were as groovy as Sultans of the Swing
Solid album. The best song on this is "In the Gallery" followed by Sultans of Swing.
Better than I expected.
This was great. I've obviously heard 'Sultans of Swing' before, but the rest of the album was new to me. There weren't any weak tracks. It was a little bit short, but there's no point padding an album with filler. I will make sure to listen again.
Good old Dire Straits - never fantastic but never terrible. Not many bands can achieve this and I think that honours them
Very evocative music. Album is cohesive. Guitar is plain but not overplayed, lots of motifs and fills but they aren't overplayed. Guitar playing doesn't come off as wanky either.
# 381 : They've done a pretty decent job, good album. Sultans Of Swing is like one of my all time favourite tunes. It's all about the guitar of course, but it has its decent moments and overall is a well produced album. Honourable mention : Sultans
I have always loved the way Mark Knopfler plays, it sounds so effortless but it is so hard. Great tone, this album still sounds quite fresh. Dire Straits have a very iconic sound really enjoyed this one. Stand out tracks: - Down to the Waterline - Water of love - Six blade knife - Sultans of swing - Wild West end - Lions
It was fun and chill. Enjoyable, but I'm not sure I would revisit.
Really enjoyed this one overall. The guitar playing is incredible and Mark Knopfler’s voice works really well. Close to a 5/5.
"Finger likin' good". High points are the guitar and when amplified by a moving melody and lyrics pushes the songs to new heights. The album starts slow but gets the ball rolling with Sultans of Swing.
Solid Album some good listening
Cooles Album.
Mark Knopfler found a tone setting that he liked and he made an entire album without touching the knob or bridge selection once. I have no qualms with that, he captured lightning and then let his picking style and phrasing take control. He is a master class in stripped down rock. There is no hiding imperfection when the gain is low, also there is no imperfection. Some songs are stronger than others and showcase this talent, but this album is easy listening, head rocking throughout
Ничё так
Music snob here. I played this with low expectations but really enjoyed its sound and liked the lyrics too.
I listened to this before. I like Dire Straits a lot.
Debutalbum, det er ikke det mest oprørende, men det holder
4 stars for Down To the Waterline and Sultans of Swing. Lost one star because not every song sounds like Down To the Waterline and Sultans of Swing.
Sultans of Swing is so good! Then lots of the album is quite same-y, overall great sound
This was even better than the other Dire Straits album we had. Really Chill and they really sound like the Bob Dylan of the 80s . Obviously Dylan made music in the 80s but not like this 4/5
A bit slower vide than I was expecting. Sultans of Swing was good, the rest was fairly enjoyable if not any real standouts.
An old favorite. One of their two best IMO.
Love their sound, and what an impressive debut album. I hadn't heard much of these outside "Sultans of Swing" but I really enjoyed it.
go back to it
this one had an unbelievably generous listening conditions on my end. 4, but i'm not sure future me will agree
Monesti kuunneltu, mutta ansaitsee paikkansa kitararockin klassikkona.
Sultans of swing but an album. Complimentary. Moody riffs and solos. Killer debut album.
Definitely my favorite Dire Straits album. Mark Knopfler is a beast and his signature sound is really showcased on this one. His brother and the rest of the band sound great here too. Sultans Of Swing is such a well written song and is the highlight but really the whole album has no skips or filler.
Another band (and guitarist in Mark Knopfler) that I've been told I need to give a close listen to . . . let it roll . . . I never knew I thought Dire Straits have a sound, but once "Down To The Waterline" kicked in, I immediately thought this sounds like them. I can see this playing during the opening credits of Fear And Loathing In Las Vegas, driving with purpose somewhere around Barstow on the edge of the desert. The groove changes to a dreamily rolling bassa nova/calypso on "Water Of Love". and "Setting Me Up" blends a little country rock into their stylings. They are not afraid of showing a varitey of interests. Mark Knopfler sings with an attitude and spoken/sung voice somewhere between Bob Dylan and Tom Petty. "Sultans Of Swing" is the hit here, and it fantastic, but there really isn't a bad tune on the album. Dire Straits seem to be at their most self-assured when settling into a tight groove and playing funk in a bluesy southern rock; I even hear some similarities to Bill Withers on "In The Gallery". As for me, I prefer the relaxed rolling breeze of "Water Of Love" and "Wild West End".
A pleasant listen. Dad rock. Mature, thoughtful, capable. Always loved Sultans of Swing; still a great song.
Sultans of Swing. I remember listening to this being played live every summer with my gramma and cousins at a local restaurant. Those were the salad days.
An impressive debut album, like the band came out with this sound fully formed. Sultans of Swing is a near perfect song and it is surrounded by more great music.
There's just some good guitar playing on this and everyone else is competent in a way we don't get to see too much outside of studio musicians touring with a star. An acquaintance saw him play and said is thumb was the fastest moving thing she ever saw. Good hooks. Sultans is a titanic song: story, capturing a feeling, climactic solo, come on!
This album is so crisp with that dry late 70s drum sound and probably one of the best clean guitar tones ever recorded. High class playing throughout. Sultans of Swing is 10/10 but none of the other songs are quite in that league. A really impressive and enjoyable debut album but not enough great songs to be a 5. Call it 4.5 / 5.
Just an endless groove. Great roadtrip music.
This is wild for a debut album. Instrumentals are very tight, they've got a unique sound and are doing it really well. Great one to have on the list. Strong band.
I had listened to Brothers in Arms a lot, but this is my first time with this. Brothers is Arms might have a couple more hits, but this one feels more cohesive to me. I had this on while doing some work in the garage, having a cold beer, and it was great for that. Knopfler makes such unique choices on the guitar, it's something special. I will probably revisit this.
Dire
Really good
Gorgeous, I can't lie though I was waiting for Sultan's of swing the whole time (fun fact I heard this for the first time in a coop near my uni house and I was looking around like is nobody hearing this absolute masterpiece?! Standout tracks: - Southbound again 4/5 - Sultan's of swing (one of the best songs of all time) 5/5
All good songs here.
Dire straits Really dig the guitar. Some cool 70’s vibes. Six blade knife was cool. Like the groovy rhythm guitars on Southbound again. Sultans of Swing is a classic. Wild West End was nice. Cool album cover too -not what I would think to pair with the music. 3.5 to 4
Good ass rock album
Okay, now I really get why they call this dad rock! It's not bad in any way, just really dad.
Not something I would play in my day to day, but not bad.
absolute banger album. This reminds me of my granpda. Dire straights have one of the most iconic noises of the 70-80s
# Playlist track - Sultans of Swing # Notes - Just got "Brothers in Arms" recently. Nice to hear their debut and to connect them together. - This one isn't as polished or interesting as the next, but it's a great debut. Their style is pretty unique and it's well worked in each track. Not long enough to be boring or repetitive. - Not life changing, but definitely worth the listen!
Enjoyed it.
Very good album, tails off a bit after sultans of swing
Nice! Drops off a bit after Sultants of Swing, but mostly really chill to listen to.
Nice. Excellent playing and arrangements. I like the laid back feeling. Sultans of Swing is the obvious hit, but the rest is very consistent in tone and quality.
Spent more time with Brothers In Arms before this. Despite Knopfler clearly owing a lot to Clapton in style and tone on this first record, it'd be difficult not to enjoy the grooves here.
Of course Sultans of Swing is a great song, I also enjoyed Down to the Waterline. Everything else is just okay/good. There is a weird twangy sound throughout this album that makes it almost sound like country that I really didn't expect. Great guitar playing throughout the album. Not so great singing throughout. Low 4.
Sultans of Swing.... Pretty preeeeettt good
Banger
Already liked Dire Straits, enjoyed the less well-known songs on here less but still good!
The guitar work is amazing , the vocals are very good … classic consistent quality but just a bit lower on the wow factor , a solid 4/5
Solid album start to finish.
Sultans is sublime. Guitar on this album is just so satisfying. Timeless.
i have a great time on this
It’s got Sultans on it, which nearly makes it an automatic 5, but none of the other tracks really stand out. Not their best album, but it’s still Dire Straits, 4.5.
A nice sound, truly excellent guitar work, fairly engaging songwriting. Overall a great record. Mark Knopfler really nails so many fantastic guitar sounds! I already knew Sultans Of Swing of course, but the rest of this was new to me and there were some nice tracks in there. Setting Me Up is a great blend of Knopfler's 'signature' style/sound from this era but with a strong country influence. In The Gallery is a great showcase of how smooth and melodic Knopfler's writing and playing can get, though it could use a 'better' singer probably.
Good debut record.
¡Me gustó! Ya conocía muchos temas, igualmente, pero nunca había escuchado el álbum completo.
This album getting 4 is carried heavily by 'Sultans Of Swing' and the generally excellent guitar-playing that's going on. I feel like the guitar on the tracks is a cut above the rest of the parts, and mostly carries some otherwise middling tracks on everything but 'Sultans Of Swing' where it all comes together more like what Dire Straits would later be known for Standouts Six Blade Knife Sultans Of Swing 4/5
Overall Thoughts: - emphasis is definitely on the lead guitarist - everything forms sort of a bed for the guitarist to go over the top - very laid back for the most part without a ton of complex melodies or structures outside of guitar solos, stripped down - touches on blues, country, funk, latin, and other influences while still maintaining a similar structure throughout the tracks - definitely has post-punk influence but doesn't feel tied to it
Great sound! A true classic. 4 stars.
A classic; emblematic of so many styles that were gaining popularity in the genre circa the late 70s while still maintaining a sound and tone that would be distinct and recognizable for the band's entire career. "Setting Me Up" could have been A Working Man's Dead b-side easily, but these brits do more than just Americana. This album switches up tempos right on cue, and grabs you til the very end with bold, thumping bass driving every song forward, as Knopfler's guitar soars and flourishes. Overall very solid release.
Very easy listening sultans of swing is a classic - great album
Great album. Sultans is one off the greatest rock songs of all time
I'll listen to MK's guitar all day long...
Very enjoyable listen. Sultans of swing is a classic obviously but I also really enjoyed water of love and southbound again.
Really pleasant and subtley complex album. The guitar work is so light, but so technical and intricate. A real pleasure to listen to. I definitely feel like this album has only a few excellent tracks and the rest of the album is only decent, but it's a very accessible and mellow listen. Top tracks: Down To The Waterline, Sultans Of Swing, Wild West End
This was fire
Top Stuff, Yes, you've probably heard Sultans of Swing ten thousand times, but the whole album is well worth a listen. For a debut album, it's astonishing just how polished and finished the sound is. Even tho' it was released in the midst of the New Wave / Punk era, it was recognised as distinctive and awesome at the time. And SoS is awesomely good...no-one can seriously refute that.
Sultans of Swing.
The perfect chill album for a possibly hectic Monday morning, Dire Straits debut album definitely delivers. I've always enjoyed Mark Knopfler's guitar style and overall vibe. Quite enjoyable.
Overall great album. Super cohesive groove all the way through.
So I didn't know that Sultans of Swing was on their first album. Because Ive never listened to their first album before. It was quite good, I enjoyed it and may even come back to it later.
LOVE dire straits. this isn't quite a 5 for me - making movies thru brothers in arms are the straight fives - but it comes pretty close. trop bien!
Really chill
Water of Love? I can just imagine what the band thought looking at the lyrics before putting music to it. That song was saved by the music and you know what? It’s actually a decent song. This is really a solid album. Much better than Brothers in Arms and this one only has one standout track. They all compliment each other nicely and the album flows well. Having a single standout track doesn’t make much difference in my opinion of the album. It’s bluesy, kinda poppy and jammy. I really don’t think I’ve sold anyone reading this on this album but sometimes words can’t direct a person any which way. It’s worth a listen, how about that? Choice cut: Sultans of Swing
Very strong debut, Knopfler knew what sound he wanted and got it from the start.
Dire Straits made such good music! This self-titled album toes the line perfectly between rock and blues, and it never goes too hard in either direction. It's quite the pleasant album to listen to, because it flows beautifully from start to finish. I'd go so far to say this is one of the smoothest albums I've heard on this list--and I'm nearing 700 albums. Not only that, but to make a bop that doesn't disrupt the smooth vibe? It could only be "Sultans of Swing." The instrumental portions might be the strongest, because damn does Mark Knopfler know what to do with the guitar. A joy from start to finish.
Another debut album that just hits it out of the park! This album is just sooo easy to listen to, all while having great lyrics, solid instrument work, and a unique take on blues rock. It's just such a great example of an album that straight up grooves, but not in that 60s psychedelic way. And don't even get me started on "Sultans of Swing"; they came up with that song, again, on their debut album?! Absolutely fantastic, legendary song. This falls somewhere between a 3 and a 4 for me, but close enough to a 4!
Muita qualidade musical num álbum só. Muito pica 👍🏼
Quando eu nasci, esse album já tinha a idade que tenho hoje (23 anos). Com a veia de rock clássico ao longo de todo álbum, com pitadas de country e folk em músicas como "Setting me up" e "Wild West End", além das guitarras rápidas e técnicas como na clássica "Sultans of Swing", Dire Straits me manteve engajado do início ao fim, com o único ponto fraco sendo o seu desfecho, que embora não seja culpa da boa "Lions", passa a sensação que o álbum termina abruptamente, com mais algumas músicas pela frente que não existem. Nessa situação, só o que resta é dar o play novamente.
Smoking album
It’s much more mellow than I expected. I really liked it. I recognised the distinctive guitar sound but actually a good reading or bedtime album.
yeah pretty good
Not their best, but good!
Sultans of swing
In a time of dying disco and heavily produced rock... comes a sound that is basic and straight forward. Never truly appreciated this at the time but wow, this is rock and blues at its finest.
What a debut. Love it!
Sultans of Swing is a 5/5. The rest of the album is good but nothing spectacular so a 3/5. Therefore overall 4.
If you like one track, you should like them all
Even if the rest of the album sounds “solid” to me in comparison to the timeless “Sultans of Swing”, this is a stone cold classic. Mark Knopfler’s absurd talent on the guitar steals the show for the most part.
Slick guitar, simple production, surprise surprise
Dire Straits just ooze class, more than just one album.
easy listening but rewarding at the same time. 4 stars!
just really good stuff, so smooth and pleasant. Always liked these guys but this is my first album of theirs and I was very impressed!
So chill.
Chill. Vibey. Feel like I could get high and have the best day of my life listening to this.
I love the cool, slow, acoustic feel this album brings. Each song is soothing yet unique and refreshing. This is how you do acoustic rock right.
I was a little kid in 1978, when my dad left this record on his turntable in the basement. For years, as he puttered around doing woodworking and going through his fishing gear, echoes of Mark Knopfler’s guitar licks and Dylan-esque singing filtered up through the vents as I played upstairs. It was one of his favorite albums. So it’s hard for me to think of this as anything but a classic of literal dad rock. Listening to it now, I’m honestly into this a lot more than I anticipated. Some really fantastic guitar playing and the vocals are catchy and bluesy. It’s not what I would choose everyday (like my dad) but I'd definitely listen again…at least to Sultans of Swing. 4⭐️
4/5
"Brothers In Arms" album is a 5/5. I've given it 4.5/5. It was a mistake. I regret it. This album though is truly 4.5/5. For a debut it's great.
If Dire Straits had a different vocalist, this would be 5 stars. The instrumental parts are sublime, but the singing kind of kills it for me
C'è una certa delicatezza e gentilezza in questo suono rock, molto apprezzato
Nice stuff, but no song stood out that much to me on my first listen.
From the initial blues riff, very good. One I will re listen to and break down.
Gear: DCA ÆON 2 Noire Artwork: unvergesslich vergesslich Mix: 🎧😘🤌 Musik: Geniales, teils minimalistisches Debut in Form und Ausdruck. Auf "Brothers in Arms" sind die Dire Straits aber dann noch eine Spur genialer. Wertung: 🎸🎸🎸🎸(🎸)/5 (inkl. +1 für "Sultans of Swing")
Great stuff
This was a fantastic debut album from Dire Straits, featuring an all-time classic song in my opinion. Lots of cool elements exhibited here like rock mixed with jazz and blues, and some really catchy rhythms and hooks to boot. Very enjoyable album, and inspired my "All-Timers (don't @ me)" playlist which is sure to be supplemented by this project. Notable Tracks: - Down to the Waterline - Southbound Again - Sultans of Swing - all-timer 8/10
Relaxing sound
Virtually flawless album. Love DS
Sultans elevate this much higher than it would be otherwise
I just really like dire straits. Something about knopflers singing and guitar sound.
Down to the waterline - I liked this Water of love - good intro, like this too Setting me up - I like this a lot, she's a little bit country Didn't review every song from here because I was walking home and had to Process a film I saw. I've really enjoyed this though!! Feels nice and familiar even if I didn't know it before
Хорошая изобретательная музыка
some songs drag but a few really kill it. It’s wild to think Mark Knopfler had his signature sound at the band’s debut.
Solid album. Worth re-listening
My uncle introduced me to Dire Strats when I was a teen. Let’s be real: Dire Straits is actually the Mark Knopfler show. I always found his guitar playing in somewhere in the area of Gilmore’s tone, Clapton’s talent, and Howling Wolf’s slide. In other words: he’s pretty good. I always found his voice range to be…well, kinda’ flat, like Johnny Cash with a headcold. It was unique. The most famous song on this album, Sultans, is a great example of the bands collective versatility and storytelling, though I have always been a little confused because the song sounds more Brazilian bassa nova than American swing. Favorite track: the country tinged Set Me Up as it presents as a buffet of all of their sounds in one short song! Cheers!
Enjoyable from start to finish. Love the guitar. Dire Straits is much more than just the hits (though those are exceptional too). 8.5/10 (4.25/5)
Probably evaluatin this with the voice of my dad over my right shoulder. I'm sure a lot of people will slam this, I liked it.
My first reaction to this was more positive than Brothers in Arms. I really like Mark Knopfler as a guitarist, and this album felt more guitar forward and less 80s. I still need to revisit Brothers in Arms, but at first pass I gravitated more to the classic guitar rock sound of this one. Sultans of Swing is A+ Album cover: B+
8/10
Ik geef toe dat ik voordat ik ging luisteren al een originele manier probeerde te bedenken om deze muziek als saai en extreem onavontuurlijk te bestempelen. Maar schijnbaar is dat vooral de latere Dire Straits, met hun overdreven uitgerekte snooze fests van een nummers. Dit is wel m'n jam, als een Britse J.J. Cale. Dit zal best de natte droom zijn van elk beginnende gitaarspeler, waar ik me niet mee kan identificeren. Maar ik hoor wel dat de heren van begin tot eind in een rootsy en bluesy groove zitten, wat het een verrassend fijne luisterbeurt maakte. 8/10 Highlights: Water of Love Six Blade Knife Sultans of Swing
Зачетик ставлю
Will definitely listen again!
A guitar driven classic as the rock n' roll era that moved into the 80s never truly died.
Guitar solos on this are just too groovy it's incredible. Was only an elementary Dire Straits listener prior to this but I have definitely been made into much more of a fan now. My favourites were Down To The Waterline, Six Blade Knife, Sultans Of Swing (obviously), In The Gallery, and Lions. It's a classic for a reason, love it, easily high 4 at least
un altro dei classici della mia infanzia. bellissimo.
Voto probabilmente dovuto in gran parte al fattore nostalgia perché me li facevano ascoltare da piccolo, però Mark Knopfler spacca
Che figata. Un album rock, guitar-driven, con i controfiocchi (soprattutto considerando che si tratta di un debutto!). Sultans Of Swing è un po’ come quel video in cui Gandalf annuisce e sorride per 10 ore: potrebbe andare avanti all’infinito senza stancarmi.
C’è una certa delicatezza e gentilezza in questo suono rock, molto apprezzato
Some good stuff
Almost enjoyed this enough to give it a 5, but it just fell short. I knew Sultans of Swing was a great track going in, but I also liked Wild West End
Just lovely stuff! And Sultans of Swing is a stone cold banger. Simpsons: Yes
Enjoyed the vibes of this one. I think more than the last album we had by Dire Straits.
The band would hit their commercial and pop peak with Money for Nothing but a lot of that is present in this quality debut.
Its tough when you envapsulate your whole career perfectly in your debut smash hit single. Sultans of Swing is the benchmark for everything Dire Straits continued to stand for, and also Mark Knopfler solo too. The rest of the album is incredibly well played pub-rock. nothing special from a composition point of view but a case where the whole is better than the sum of its parts. It was also the foundation, from making Movies onwards, to take ove rthe world.
This was soo good. Much better than the blue one
Sultans and Mark Knopfler. Amazing debut album.
Dire Straights' best.
Own this Sultans of swing is a banger
I've always been a "greatest hits" guy when it came to Dire Straits. I enjoy them, but really wasn't exposed to much more than the hits. This was a fun listen for me which I enjoyed. I'm a sucker for blues-influenced rock, and they have a great blues/soft rock blend.
classic
A good chill classic rock album
Great!
This is a toss up between 4 and 5
Classic, every song here rocks. I will always love Sultan of Swing it’s too good. 3.6
Já tive a opurtunidade de ouvir uma boa quantidade de Dire Straits, contudo tenho a ideia de nunca ter ouvido um álbum na sua integra. Este álbum é algo que eu já esperava, o senhor Knopfler a tocar a sua guitarrra de forma prodigiosa, sendo que o restante parece ficar aquem da sua habilidade na guitarra. Claramente este álbum tem a maior música da banda, que dificilmente alguma chegara perto dela, a mítica Sultões do Swing. E a semelhança da guitarra todas as restantes cantigas ficam ofuscadas em comparação a esta. Um problema que julgo existir com os Dire Straits é a incapacidade dos mesmos de fazerem músicas mais paradas de forma consistente, o Wilda West End acho que sofre muito com este facto tornandpo a música muirto cansativa. Digo isto mas sei que nem todas são assim, O Brothers in Arms (música de outro álbum) é uma obra prima e é ainda mais calma e lenta do que a que referi agora. No geral é um álbum que deve ser ouvido, estes senhores não são nada maus especialmente no que toca a guitarra. A melhor cantiga do álbum é claramente o Sultans of Swing , se não contarmos com ela gostei do Down to the Waterline. Nota: 7/10 07/06/2024
Another album with one song doing a lot of heavy lifting, but as much as the other songs didn't live up to Sultans of Swing, it was still very enjoyable
album was decent solid vibe 3.7/5
I mean, it's got "Sultans of Swing", who could ask for anything more?
Have always heard of them and knew a few hits but wow. Loved this album.
fine debut album, beautiful understated playing and better in my opinion than the more corporate sound on latter albums. Mark Knopfler's playing is elegant and fluid throughout. Only criticism would be that the songs are all largely low-key, could have done with a little more variation
Dude. I had no idea Dire Straits was this good! Dire Straits is a band I've heard of, but I never really checked them out before. After listening to their self-titled debut, I see the appeal. This whole thing is just a very pleasant smooth experience. I like the vocals. I can hear a slight influence from artists like Bob Dylan but I can still hear that Mark Knopfler is a pretty unique singer. Speaking of Mark Knopfler's work on this album, the guitar work is great too! He, along with his brother David, allow the band's music to sound as smooth as it is. The writing is solid, with the tone being very consistent, but not too repetitive. There really isn't a bad song on here. Obviously, "Sultans of Swing" is an absolute classic, but the other songs are just as good. This is a great introduction to a band I'm excited to hear more of. High 4/5.
slow guitar sticks like honey
I really like this album. It's a good vibe. Not part of my daily listening, but it's a kind of mellow rock that I am enjoying.
A very strong album, containing one of the all-time classic guitar rock songs. Only a pure genius could write, perform and release something of the calibre of Sultans Of Swing as their debut single. I've spun this record a few times in the past so I have a good familiarity with it. I briefly considered giving it a coveted 5/5, but upon reflection, there are a few ordinary moments via tunes like Setting Me Up and In The Gallery. They're still decent songs, but they don't quite live up to the magic of that standout track. I hope Dire Straits features again in this project as at least one of their other albums is deserving of the 5, based on my logic of magic across the board.
Knopfler has one of the best (mostly) clean lead guitar tones in the history of recorded music. Dude is just a monster and nimble player, whether it be rhythm, little licks and fills, or full out ripping solos. Despite knowing the phenomenal Sultans of Swing, I never dove into Dire Straits albums much. This debut incorporates elements of rock, blues, folk, and country. Knopfler is the star here. His guitar is front and center and his vocal delivery is somewhat reminiscent of Bob Dylan, but less nasally. The rhythm section holds down a tight beat, but doesn’t stand out for flashiness - they really support Knopfler. The fidelity and overall sound is excellent, with songs ranging wonderful to good. The songs have room to breathe without feeling boring or empty. Just a solid band and record overall.
Some really great tracks. Overall pretty enjoyable.
Dire Straits are absolute GOATs. Yes it's 'dad rock' but it's just oozes style. I'm not sure this is their best album, but damn are they good and is this fun to listen to.
I can´t resist Marc Knopflers guitar-play 🎸 and I like his voice and the nice groovy swinging sound. The album contains some of their greatest hit ("Down To The Waterline", "Water Of Love" and "Sultan´s Of Swing") and no real fails. 3,5
Blues rock. Un megahit. Un 4.
Def a leader of the whole "Dad Rock" genre. A few bangers, but doesn't seem to get beyond nostalgia.
Nice chilled album for a Sunday morning.
Thoughts before listening: Another album I own. I love Dire Straits' guitar work and the songs are definitely catchy. "Sultans of Swing" is an all-time great song. Review: Yeah, I like this. There is definitely a cool almost country vibe to these songs, very reminiscent of JJ Cale. I also like how Mark Knopfler's guitar is constantly doing little runs throughout the songs without being overly flashy. Just a nice compliment to the music adding textures throughout. Only real problem with this album is that "Sultans of Swing" overshadows everything else. The rest are perfectly fine, midtempo tunes, but I just want to listen to "Sultans" on repeat. 5-star song on a 3-star album...so I'll give it 4-stars as a whole.
Again I wanted to give another Dire Straits record a 5. Some of the songs are so strong...and others leave me wanting more. Still really enjoyed the album in it's entirety.
Knopfler showing why hes top 20 axeman
É um senhor clássico
Really enjoyed this album! Sultans of swing is an absolute masterpiece
3.9 Just pure dire straits, one of my favourites of theirs. fave songs: lions, down to the waterline, sultans of swing
Dire Straits hold a special place in my memory as many many years ago, when I was but a preteen, our family had just invested in a new stereo system (with a CD player!) and a distant cousin of mine, being a huge Mark Knopfler fan, insisted that we play Sultans of Swing to test out the audio delights of this new stereo. This album has a really nice comfortable feel. Down To The Waterline seems a strange choice for the opener but it works. I really dug Water Of Love, Six Blade Knife, and of course Sultans Of Swing.
I dig the vibe - shamelessly steal some americana sounds, but give it all a sultry, loungey, early hours of the morning feeling. Chillout rock. Fave tracks - "Sultans of Swing" is obviously the one I know best. "Six Blade Knife" I dug, too...
Fucking ood
Cool vibe, loved the first song
good but a bit samey
Knopfler rules.
Good one. Mark Knopfler has a really characteristic playing style. Not what I’d call ground breaking but very nice nonetheless.
while ive heard of dire straits before ive never bothered to check them out. im feeling really stupid for that now because this is great. 8/10
The album had a good vibe and it got better and better as it went on. It was a consistent sound that had a few fun builds here and there. Sultans of Swing is the high point, but the songs that followed were all good.
Actually enjoyed it a lot, which I didn’t think I was going to.
I don't think I've listened to any other Dire Straights beyond Sultans of Swing so this album was a pleasant surprise. Strong on the dad rock vibes.
Blues rock. Un megahit. Un 4.
Sultans Of Swing. Bien; aunque se me ha hecho un poco largo ... 3. No, venga, Sultans Of Swing se merece 4.
What a great album
Hermoso album. Gran evocador de recuerdos de la infancia.
Awesome guitarwork and the vocal style suits the music a lot. Some tracks were a bit boring though. Stand-out: Sultans of Swing
Never really listened to this album surprisingly... heard many of the songs. The opening track intro is a beautiful lead in... This album sounds fantastic. The guitar playing is so nice. Easy 4/5 for me. Really like that album cover too..
Great debut. Only a couple of so-so tunes. Sultans of Swing is an all-time classic.
Sultans of Swing, an all time favorite song. The rest of the album isn’t bad but pales to that monster hit.
Sultans of swing
This album sounds so damn nice. Some reviews say it has Bob Dylan like qualities, I might actually enjoy him if he sounded anywhere as good as this.
cool guitars.
Wish there was more diversity of sound but can't hate the riffs.
7 / 10 Rock "relax" de Diré Straits con los toques mágicos de guitarra de Mark Knopfler