[Review] Dire Straits: Brothers in Arms (1985)
The twentieth highest-selling record of all time.
Kronomyth 6.0: Making gold.
I wrote a review of this album years ago that doesn’t make a lick of sense; if you should run across it, just keep running. Brothers in Arms combines the best elements of their last two studio albums: the stellar songwriting of Making Movies and the heavy atmosphere of Love Over Gold. Many consider this the band’s best album, although whether Dire Straits was still a band at this point is open to conjecture. Mark Knopfler and John Illsley are the only two original members remaining, with Alan Clark now joined by various session players. What stands out this time is the immaculate production; even Bryan Ferry’s records didn’t feel this fussed over. It’s also a serious record as war and conflict consume the second side. So, if their last album reminded me of Animals, the operative Floydian reference here would be The Final Cut. The first side, however, is much closer in spirit to Making Movies: songs about love and musicians. The opening trio of songs—So Far Away, Money for Nothing, Walk of Life—mounted an assault on the radio. Knopfler then settles in for heavier fare: tasty jazz/pop on Your Latest Trick and a more romantic vision of “Les Boys” on Why Worry. You can just get lost in the recording quality of these songs, the layered keyboards and rich guitar tones. As I said, the second side is a darker ride, though it’s still a gorgeous view. I don’t think Dire Straits has made a better-sounding record, even though I prefer the humor and humanity of Making Movies. The album went on to sell over nine million copies in the U.S. alone, so it’s a near certainty you own and have your own opinion of this album, which is, of course, the right opinion.
Original elpee version
A1. So Far Away (3:59)
A2. Money for Nothing (7:04)
A3. Walk of Life (4:07)
A4. Your Latest Trick (4:46)
A5. Why Worry (5:22)
B1. Ride Across the River (6:57)
B2. The Man’s Too Strong (4:36)
B3. One World (3:36)
B4. Brothers in Arms (6:56)
All songs written by Mark Knopfler.
The Players
Alan Clark (keyboards), Guy Fletcher (keyboards & vocals), Omar Hakim (drums), John Illsley (bass & vocals), Mark Knopfler (guitars & vocals) with Michael Brecker, Randy Brecker, Malcolm Duncan, Neil Jason, Tony Levin (bass on A5), Jimmy Maelen, Mike Mainieri, Dave Plews, Jack Sonni (guitar synthesizer on B2), Sting, Terry Williams (drums on A2). Produced by Mark Knopfler and Neil Dorfsman; engineered by Neil Dorfsman.
The Pictures
Sleeve by Sutton Cooper. Photography by Deborah Feingold. Painting by Thomas Steyer.
The Plastic
Released on elpee, cassette and compact disc in May 1985 in the UK (Vertigo, VERH/VERHC 25), the US (Warner Bros., 25264), Australia, Germany and the Netherlands (Phonogram, 824 499), and Canada (Vertigo, VOG1-3357) with lyrics innersleeve. Reached #1 on the UK charts and #1 on the US charts (RIAA-certified 9x platinum record). Voted #51 in Q Magazine’s 100 Greatest British Albums (2000).
- Re-issued on remastered compact disc in 1996 in the UK (Vertigo, 824 499-2) and the US (Warner Bros, 47773-2).
