Dire Straits
Brothers in Arms - Vertigo 2012
Tracks: 1. So Far Away / 2. Money For Nothing / 3. Walk of Life / 4. Your Latest Trick / 5. Why Worry / 6. Ride Across The River / 7. The Man's Too Strong / 8. One World / 9. Brothers In Arms
Comments:
Along with "Making Movies" this must be my favorite album with Dire Straits. Without knowing it it for sure I would think taht it was the group's biggest commercial success; not least by virtue of the five singles "So Far Away", "Money for Nothing", "Brothers in Arms", "Walk of Life" and "Your Latest Trick". Except for the latter, which peaked at number 26, they were all top twenty hits. The album and especially the hit singles were therefore somewhat overplayed in its time. This, unfortunately, has made it a bit of a hate album for some, which is a real shame and very unfair.
As for the individual songs, "So Far Away" is a fine mid-tempo melodic rock song, where Knopfler's vocals remind me a bit of George Young; maybe the track goes on a bit too long, a trend that is repeated on a couple of other tracks too.
"Money for Nothing" is a shamelessly catchy rock number, with a perfect guitar riff. The number smoked all the way to the top of the singles charts.
"Walk of Life" is equally catchy; a number in rockabilly style; a genre that Knoffler had previously frequented.
"Your Latest Trick" is a more jazzy bluesy track with an amazing and memorable saxophone line.
"Why Worry" is a quiet melodic song with guitar playing that may lead the mind towards Peter Green of Fleetwood Mac.
"Ride Across the River" is one of the album's less memorable tracks, there are some slightly Western / Morricone-like sounds here and there and a special reggae-like beat.
"The Man's too strong" is a folkish / Dylanish song with some sudden heavy guitar fill-ins. Also one of the less memorable tracks.
"One World" is a pretty ordinary heavy blues rocker.
The album ends majestically with the overwhelmingly beautiful "Brothers in Arms" – one of Knopfler's strongest melodies.
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