4.5 stars. This is a classic and has some great songs. Knopfler is an incredible player. Was nice to revisit this album in full, haven't listened in a few years.
Fantastic, have always loved this album. Haven’t listened to it all the way through in a while and very much enjoyed revisiting it in full. I did not know that the overall themes of loss and mourning that are present throughout this album were inspired by some of the band members approaching/turning 30. I turn 30 in about three weeks! I am also about to start my residency in otolaryngology next week and recently found out I will be a father soon. Both of which are incredibly exciting for me. Regarding my age, I can’t say I feel the same sense of loss and mourning that permeates this album, but I do feel the inner turmoil that can come from feeling both the trepidation and the nearly irrepressible excitement that seems to accompany one when reaching some of the traditional “major turning points” in life. Thus this album certainly strikes a chord in me. I remember waiting for the vinyl re-release of this album for its 25th anniversary. Right after a college organic chemistry lecture I went to one of my favorite records stores in Bloomington to buy it. That was nearly eight years ago (now listening again in late June 2025). That moment feels simultaneously like yesterday and a lifetime ago. Time is strange like that.
One of the easiest 5-star reviews to give ever. This is the birth of heavy metal. Everything that could be said about this album has been said already, no reason for me to rehash it. All the tracks are excellent however one specifically deserves a mention - planet caravan. IMO supremely underrated. Love that track.