The band would notch one last big hit before falling silent: 1991’s “Calling Elvis”, a brilliantly atmospheric update of Memphis rockabilly.
(The image is further enhanced by its music video, a neon-suffused product of early computer animation that’s regarded as one of the most iconic artifacts of early MTV.) Knopfler, low-key and more interested in developing his craft than stardom, began retreating from the spotlight, devoting more time to composing movie scores. Indeed, their biggest hit, “Money for Nothing”, from the 1985 blockbuster Brothers in Arms, sounds like cyborgs playing roadhouse blues rock on synthesisers. This knack for marrying American roots music to contemporary sounds would become Dire Straits’ defining quality as they became stadium rockers in the ’80s. Besides introducing the world to Mark Knopfler’s tangled fingerpicking, the Dylan-esque gem layered earthy blues and country (the Tulsa sound in particular) over a shuffle so lean and tight, fans of New Wave music couldn’t help but embrace it. Highly recommended.When Dire Straits released “Sultans of Swing” in 1978, it sounded like little else coming across the airwaves. This is however an album that should be listened to right through.Ĭommunique went onto sell over 7 million copies on release (hardly a failure) and still sounds as fresh today as in 1979. Side one of the original vinyl release opens with the excellent ‘Once Upon A West’, however side two is much stronger, opening with the catchy ‘Lady Writer’ and ‘Angel of Mercy’, and the band save the very best ones until the end with ‘Single-Handed Sailor' and the gorgeous, hypnotic album closer 'Follow Me Home'. Intelligently written with a more stripped down sound than their later work, featuring the original lineup of Mark and David Knopfler, John Illsley and Pick Withers (it was the last album to feature David).
It's best to ignore negative press and listen right through yourself. However the group's second album is still a thoroughly enjoyable listen and a solid, non-commercial offering from Dire Straits. 'Communique' was released less than nine months after the group's acclaimed debut album and did not manage to produce any hits. Released in June 1979 and got some negative reviews.