Dire Straits - Dire Straits (1978)

Dan:

There was, perhaps, no more welcome debut in 1978 than the self-titled Dire Straits. Combining clever songs with driving rhythms and clean guitar lines, this new band made a huge impact on a wide audience. An otherwise normal colleague of mine in Florida got hooked on the hit "Sultans of Swing," and who could blame him? It remains my favorite Dire Straits song, although Brothers in Arms is my favorite Dire Straits album. 

The original band included the Knopfler Brothers (Mark and David) on guitars with John Illsley on bass and Pick Withers on the skins. Mark was the undisputed leader of Dire Straits; he wrote all the songs, played lead guitar, and sang all the songs. 

There is no special discovery story for this album. It seemed to impose itself on everyone I knew via the FM radio airplay of "Sultans." I liked the song in part because it was about a fictitious jazz group and the personal stories of its members playing to inattentive small audiences while barely being able to afford their instruments. Except perhaps Harry: 

And Harry doesn't mind, if he doesn't, make the scene 

He's got a daytime job, he's doing alright. 

Certainly not an unrealistic scenario, but who else in the rock world would think of composing such a song? Mark seemingly references brother David in the lyric: 

You check out guitar George.

He knows all the chords.

Mind, it's strictly rhythm he doesn't want to make it cry or sing. 

If I were David Knopfler, I would gladly play rhythm and let my more talented bro's axe handle the crying and singing. 

As it swept over us, Dire Straits' other songs became known as well. Many of these seem understated, lacking wild solos, bashing beats, and raucous vocals. But they're all well-crafted and attractive on the terms the Knopflers offered to listeners. My favorites are all on side 2, following "Sultans": "In the Gallery," Wild West End," and "Lions." 

Dire Straits' approach to writing and playing original songs was to last for the next four years, after which they began to stretch the length of some songs. Love Over Gold and Brothers in Arms are masterpieces that reflect a more sophisticated approach to composing while not losing their signature sound. That said, there's something fresh and exciting about the first album that has never been bested. 

Finally, I remain ambivalent about the live albums, Alchemy (1984), which were (somewhat oddly) released separately as Part 1 and Part 2. Either the music did not translate well into stage performances, or I just liked the studio material better. Whatever, I didn't spend much time with Alchemy.

Steve:

Dire Straits' popularity at a time when punk and new wave were getting most of the press attention is an interesting phenomenon. I see Mark Knopfler and crew as a continuation of the gestalt that begat Bruce Springsteen in the US - that is, a 70s update of the lyrically deep world of Bob Dylan-inspired rock, at a time when Bob himself was interesting and unpredictable enough to capture the imagination of the popular masses - after nearly a decade of hibernation. Dylan had "come back" with some well received LPs and a fairly raucous rock tour (the "Rolling Thunder" tour) that resembled a traveling circus as much as a rock show.

Of course, both Springsteen and Dire Straits had plenty of tricks of their own to add to the Dylan inspiration. In Mark Knopfler, Dire Straits had a first-class lead guitarist clearly inspired by J.J. Cale (as was Eric Clapton at this time), who was also able to spin a disarmingly relatable lyric, sung in a humble, conversational tone of voice that resonated with audiences. "Sultans of Swing" is the best example of this approach, and it's fortunate that this was the song that they chose to represent themselves. As a nearly six-minute single, it went to the top 5 in multiple countries (as if echoing the similar success of "Like a Rolling Stone" a decade earlier). 

Even so, my favorite track on the album just may be the opener, "Down to the Waterline." With its quiet opening suggesting a peaceful night, the song then rips into a brisk but inviting groove with sly and playful lyrics regarding an evening liaison by the water with a lady friend. There's a slight element of danger present ("Policeman shines a light on my shoulder") but the overriding mood is just some randy fun, and it's easy to grin and tap your toes.

As with Dan, my favorite Dire Straits albums came later (either Making Movies or Love Over Gold for me, depending on the day), but the debut Dire Straits deserves a lot of credit and attention for being a unique album for its time. Even among its ostensible peer group - Elvis Costello and Graham Parker come to mind - Dire Straits had a cool austerity, not to mention its virtuoso instrumentalist, that stood out from the pack.