Dire Straits

A harbor in a storm, a ray of sunshine on a rainy day, an oasis in the desert. These must have been, more or less, the feelings stirred in listeners by the debut album of Dire Straits. In an England torn apart by social tensions and economic crisis, musically dominated by the ferocity of the punk of Clash, Sex Pistols & co., Knopfler and his bandmates preached an elegance and a sonic cleanliness that ran decidedly against the tide. Zero distortion pedals, a whispered vocal, dazzling technique, structurally complex yet effective songs: Dire Straits managed to make their mark without conceding anything to market logic or the dictates of fashion. Even their public image, utterly sober and "normal", clashed sharply with the excesses and nonconformist looks of many stars. Their constant distance from the spotlight, with a decidedly low-key attitude (no drugs, no booze, no groupies), made Dire Straits the true wild card in 1970s England.

This fantastic debut album represents a manifesto, a statement of intent about what would become the band's future path and that of much of 80s and 90s pop. Behind an anonymous, slightly unsettling cover lies the entire sonic and poetic universe of Dire Straits, distilled into nine magnificent tracks. Here you'll find the clear, crystalline tone of the Stratocaster, as well as the rough, metallic timbre of the resonator guitar (later made immortal in "Romeo And Juliet"). The delicacy of an acoustic guitar and the power of overdrive. Within this sonic kaleidoscope is a blend of genres ranging from classic rock'n'roll ("Down The Waterline"), to boogie ("Setting Me Up"), to country ("Wild West End"), all the way to beguine ("Water Of Love") and the power ballad ("Six Blade Knife"), handled with a naturalness and mastery rarely found in other bands.

The lyrics, for their part, reflect this same variety of inspiration. Romantic torment, reworkings of certain universal myths, the struggle to make ends meet: these form small watercolors of late-70s English society as seen through middle-class eyes. Simple, effective lyrics centered on everyday life; sharp social critique without the excessive political commitment typical of late-70s songs; love and its complications filtered through the disillusioned eye of a wounded soul — simple ingredients that turn these songs into small classics.

But what truly makes the album a must-have is, without question, the sound. Everything sounds good, from the first note to the last. Everything fits together beautifully, like the mechanisms of a watch — an unusual feat for a debut band. Illsey's punchy, powerful bass, Withers's understated drumming, David Knopfler's impeccable guitar work all merge into a precise, cohesive whole that gives warmth and energy to every track on the album. And then there's him, Mark Knopfler. His guitar dominates from start to finish as if it were a second voice. With his unique, innovative technique and his sparing, well-judged use of reverb and distortion, he crafts solos that carry the weight of genuine musical themes. The long instrumental intros, the whirling, unbridled gallops, the notes used as mere touches of color, all burrow into the listener's ears and never leave.

Even his warm, smooth, and courteous singing voice helps bring out the sound of the six-string. An unusual and curious blend. On one hand, the bright, clean tone of the guitar; on the other, the hushed, slightly husky tone of the voice. A monstrous guitar technique set against a limited vocal technique. It's precisely these contrasts that make this album a unique and compelling work.

The absolute catchiness of the songs, combined with remarkable technical and instrumental complexity, makes Dire Straits a band suited to everyone, from teenage high schoolers to industry insiders. They're a band that's fun to listen to, sing along to, and play. These very traits made Knopfler and his bandmates instantly perfect for radio airplay, despite the excessive length of many of their tracks. Their immediate success (12 million copies sold) makes this one of the best-selling debut albums of all time. This near-instant consecration is largely due to the maturity, restraint, and skill of musicians who, though still young and green, proved they could play as well as, if not better than, many seasoned rock bands.

Dire Straits immediately became undisputed stars of the musical firmament; its members became highly sought-after session men and much-requested guest stars.

The influence exerted by this debut work has been, and continues to be, immense (suffice it to say that Mark Knopfler himself revisited many of these songs with his first solo group, the Notting Hillbillies), proof that the band's talent was enormous and dazzling, ready to conquer, in short order, every corner of the planet.

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02/03/2014