Dire Straits Albums Ranked

Dire Straits were a British rock band formed in London in 1977 by Mark Knopfler (lead vocals and lead guitar), David Knopfler (rhythm guitar and backing vocals), John Illsley (bass guitar and backing vocals), and Pick Withers (drums and percussion). They were active from 1977 to 1988 and again from 1991 to 1995. Dire Straits are one of the world’s best-selling music artists, with album sales of over 100 million.

Their first single, “Sultans of Swing”, from their 1978 self-titled debut album, reached the top ten in the UK and US charts. It was followed by hit singles including “Romeo and Juliet” (1981), “Private Investigations” (1982), “Twisting by the Pool” (1983), “Money for Nothing” (1985), and “Walk of Life” (1985). Their most commercially successful album, Brothers in Arms (1985), has sold more than 30 million copies; it was the first album to sell a million copies on compact disc and is the eighth-bestselling album in UK history. Here are all of Dire Strait’s albums ranked.

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6. Communique (1979)

“I came onto Dire Straits late, with their Brothers in Arms album when it was current many years ago, and never explored the earlier work until recently, 30 plus years later. But glad I did. These guys put out some excellent rock music with their tight guitar arrangements and Mark Knopfler’s distinctive lead vocals. .This and Making Movies along with their self titled first album, the groups first three major albums, provide many hours of pleasant listening as I put them on auto repeat while I work on projects on the computer or in workbench space. Sorry I was so late to the party.”

5. On Every Street (1991)

“This, apparently the last for the Straits, shows early in which direction Mark Knopfler was headed, and it’s a good direction. In a class by itself, this album does not have the melancholy tone of “Brothers In Arms” nor the clinical perfection of that work. Every one of the songs on “On Every Street” transpose well to the concert hall (not that Dire Straits’ other stuff doesn’t also; I just see this entire album on stage). “Calling Elvis” – which I didn’t think I was going to like – is a dancy creation that has become a favourite; also, the title tune (the end run of guitar is hypnotic), the haunting, catchy “When It Comes To You”, the dark,yearning-but-relieved “Fade To Black”, the waggish snideliness of “My Parties” – I read somewhere that Mark thought this was something of a one-laugh joke, but I find it amusing after a LOT of playing. “Ticket To Heaven” shows his propensity to go out on a limb lyrically. There is a heavy bend towards country here, but a lot more is brought to the genre through the music on this disc. Overall this is my favourite Dire Straits album, ‘Brothers In Arms” and “Love Over Gold” notwithstanding.”

4. Love Over Gold (1982)

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“Telegraph road is one of the best songs ever written. the lyric takes us on a journey with a man who moves out to the sticks to escape the crowds. as in reality, the crowds follow with the ever swelling growth of population and industrial growth. with this growth come the things that destroy the heart, the complications of life all plotted out in this one brilliant song. the brilliantly written music and soaring guitar sections just add icing to the cake. private investigations is a unique song told from the first person in a spoken word style. the music is sensational and beyond any justifiable criticism. industrial disease is fun but poignant. love over gold is a beautiful piece of work and the under appreciated it never rains is a sensation in and of itself.

anyone serious about well written and played music should own this amazing album. dire straits magnificent jewel for the ears.”

3. Making Movies (1980)

“This album forms , along with “Dire Straits” ( their very first ) and “Communiqué” , the trilogy that defines the first stage of Dire Straits ‘ music : songs almost exclusively built around the “London blues” state of mind that Mark Knopfler and Co. captured , developed and expressed with such artistry and mastery.

Knopfler’s Dylan-esque voice , his unique guitar sound , or , better said , the guitar-voice tandem , so magnificently coupled together that one is part of the other , defined this early period . The three albums mentioned above were characterized also by the fact that one song in each stands clearly above the rest , which doesn’t mean that the other songs were not good . Far from that , but there was ONE special song , one that would become a classic , one you couldn’t forget after the very first listening.”

2. Dire Straits (1978)

“When someone comes up with a list of the greatest debut albums of all time this incredible Dire Straits release has to be part of the discussion and this mini-lp replica sleeve (mlps) release certainly does justice to one of the greatest guitar-oriented albums of all time. As a guitarist myself I cannot tell you just how much joy I get from listening to this album. Just to hear all the remarkable things Mark Knopfler does on the Strat here on this album makes me want to just get up and play until my fingers bleed! The phrasing, the choice of notes and the great chunky rhythm guitar in the background, the synchopation etc reminds me of another favourite guitarist of mine Jeff Beck especially on “In the Gallery”. As for “Sultans of Swing” what can you say except that the solo is what an angel would play if he had to do a solo; it is simply divinely inspired! As far as Dire Straits albums go this is certainly their second best after the brilliant masterpiece of “Love Over Gold”. Every track is good making this along with “Love Over Gold” two of their more consistently strong albums.”

1. Brothers in Arms (1985)

“I would give this Vinyl a rating of thousand stars. And I am not being hyperbolic. The depth and breadth of the song-writing are astonishing, ranging from heartfelt longings in So Far Away, to satirical meta observations in Money for Nothing, to sweet and wistful hopefulness in Why Worry, to character study worthy of a New Yorker short story in The Man’s Too Strong. Such insightful and original lyrics are combined with absolutely amazing musical arrangements. And the band is overflowing with embarrassing riches of talent. Not only can the boy play, they can all play! And they sound even better live! Of course the sine qua non of this alchemy (if I can borrow from their earlier titular work) is Mark Knopfler. Stars aligned and Mark Knopfler found his métier. It is difficult to grasp just how talented Mark Knopfler truly is without seeing his preternatural guitar playing/picking from the videos that so many fans have so thoughtfully posted on YouTube and from viewing the Alchemy blu-ray. And of course, our raison d’etre of viewing countless hours of these videos is to catch glimpses of MK’s fingers and right thumb. When I first heard these songs, I was not surprised that they were from about 30 years ago. They sound fresh, relevant and immediate here and now today, and this is what distinguishes art from fads and poseurs. To crib Keats, this music is a joy forever; its loveliness increases; it will never pass into nothingness; but still will keep.”