Brothers In Arms [Remaster]

Performer: Dire Straits
Artist: Sting
Engineer: Neil Dorfsman
Producer: Mark Knopfler
Distributor: WEA (Distributor)

Notes: Dire Straits: Mark Knopfler (vocals, guitar); Hal Lindes (guitar); Guy Fletcher, Alan Clark (keyboards); John Illsley (bass); Terry Williams (drums). Additional personnel: Sting (vocals). Recorded at Air Studios, Monserrat, West Indies. All tracks have been digitally remastered. Brothers in Arms brought the atmospheric, jazz-rock inclinations of Love Over Gold into a pop setting, resulting in a surprise international best-seller. Of course, the success of Brothers in Arms was helped considerably by the clever computer-animated video for "Money for Nothing," a sardonic attack on MTV. But what kept the record selling was Mark Knopfler's increased sense of pop songcraft -- "Money for Nothing" had an indelible guitar riff, "Walk of Life" is a catchy up-tempo boogie variation on "Sultans of Swing," and the melodies of the bluesy "So Far Away" and the down-tempo, Everly Brothers-style "Why Worry" were wistful and lovely. Dire Straits had never been so concise or pop-oriented, and it wore well on them. Though they couldn't maintain that consistency through the rest of the album -- only the jazzy "Your Latest Trick" and the flinty "Ride Across the River" make an impact -- Brothers in Arms remains one of their most focused and accomplished albums, and in its succinct pop sense, it's distinctive within their catalog. [In 2005 Mercury released a 20th anniversary limited edition version of Brothers in Arms in the Hybrid/SACD format.] ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine BROTHERS IN ARMS found Dire Straits at the peak of a long climb in the music industry. After an auspicious debut with DIRE STRAITS, they stuggled on through personnel changes and shifting musical tastes. Knopfler's work with Bob Dylan (SLOW TRAIN COMING and some touring) and the band's appearance at Live Aid helped to keep their recognition high. This album proved to be the payoff, as "Money For Nothing" hit number 1, and the second single, "Walk Of Life" also made the top-10.

Q (6/00, p.71) - Ranked #51 in Q's "100 Greatest British Albums" Q (7/96, p.141) - 5 Stars - Indispensable - "...the commercial and artistic culmination....repeated listening reveals it as [a] singularly melancholic collection...where joy is as sharp as sorrow..." CMJ (1/5/04, p.16) - Ranked #6 in CMJ's "Top 20 Most-Played Albums of 1985"

The U.K.'s Dire Straits became one of the world's most popular rock bands the old-fashioned way, through songwriting and musicianship. When "Sultans of Swing" broke through on both sides of the Atlantic in 1979, the sound suggested Bob Dylan backed by J.J. Cale. It sure didn't sound like anything else on the radio. Mark Knopfler's gruff singing and exquisite guitar playing were critical to the group's sound. The next two records cemented Dire Straits' reputation and bolstered its popularity. 1985's BROTHERS IN ARMS became one of the biggest sellers of the decade. After the band dissolved, Knopfler (who had already done some well regarded soundtrack work) embarked on a solo career, opting for a more low-key approach.

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