Brothers In Arms (studio album) by Dire Straits

The opening 4 tracks and closing track are fantastic but everything in between is pretty much filler and can be skipped out. This leads to a long album feeling even more stretched out than it already is. Why Worry? is a prime example of this as it is great for the first 4 minutes then has a ridiculously long outro that is so unnecessary. After that is tracks 6 to 8 which are all pure filler. You remove those songs and this album is amongst the greatest of all time. Despite this, the group are at their very best on the big songs on here with So Far Away, Money For Nothing, Walk Of Life and Brothers In Arms being their greatest ever songs in my opinion. Those tracks drag me back to this record time and time again as they are that amazing. Overall, a lack of consistency holds back the true potential of this album.

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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Apart from the hits, So Far Away and Your Latest Trick this album is quite boring, there are 4 filler tracks that are not bad, but just uninteresting. Still, pretty enjoyable listen.

Overplayed it at the time then dismissed it as Dad rock so not listened to it in full in decades. Yes it was over=hyped but is still a good album that's stood the test of time very well

Simply amazing. Each song has a different feel (different influences, mainly) but the common thread of Knopfler’s guitar and vocals ties it together.

Want a great pop song? It’s here. A blues track? Here. A meaty rock number? Here. A soulful ballad? Got that too.

From Jboy56 02/03/2022 14:24

The album ranking exceeds the average given to individual songs because it is a cohesive and balanced work of music aka better than the sums.

From IlMala 01/23/2022 17:49

I supposed higer position in general rank... This is an album lovely to hear 360 degrees, despite subjective music tastes.

Quizás este no sea el mejor disco de Dire Straits, pero es el más comercial y variado.

undeniable soulful and emotional. the distinctive sounds and musings of Dire Straits. really lovely and emotional

Great first 4 tracks, then a bit of a lull, then the title track to finish it is excellent. Overall, a great classic rock album.