Holds a special place in my heart (Brothers In Arms - Dire Straits)

Member Name: cjkace

Product:	Brothers In Arms - Dire Straits
Date:	04/05/01 (41 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: A true classic album, beautiful guitar playing

Disadvantages: none

Brothers in Arms was the first thing that I ever spent my own hard earned cash on. When I got my first wage packet, back in the dim dark days of 1986, I went to my local Asda and bought it on tape for £4.99, mainly because I had heard the track Brothers in Arms on the radio.

Since then I have actually re-purchased it three times, first replacing the tape when I literally wore it out and then buying two cds (replaced the first because it was damaged). I have a very wide taste in music, but this is one album that will always be part of my collection.

It is a little on the short side, holding only nine tracks and playing for a total time of 54 minutes, but every track is very easy on the ear. Mark Knopfler's guitar playing has to be heard to be believed, especially on the final track Brothers in Arms.

Track 1 - So Far Away
A little on the mournful side, with slow guitar riffs. A good opening track.

Track 2 - Money for Nothing
More upbeat tempo. A cynical song about the rise of MTV with backing vocals from Sting. Was accompanied by a classic computer animated video. "Money for nothing, and your chicks for free"

Track 3 - Walk of Life
Catchiest tune on the cd. More synthesizer playing than guitar licks but it will get your foot tapping.

Track 4 - Your Latest Trick
Another mournful song, opening with a solo on the trumpet, before changing to a beautiful saxophone solo. Great track.

Track 5 - Why Worry
Beautiful intro played on guitar. Another sad song, but with a message of hope and love. "Why worry, there should be laughter after pain, there should be sunshine after rain, these things have always been the same, so why worry now, why worry now"

Track 6 - Ride Across the River
Slow song with a slightly religious undertone. "I'm a soldier of freedom, in the army of The Man"

Track 7 - The Mans Too Strong
Great gui
tar playing intro, starts really slow then kicks into an incredible chorus, before ebbing down a little."And I can still here his laughter, and I can still here his song, the mans too big the mans too strong"

Track 8 - One World
Purely guitar based with some very nice riffs. "Can't get no sleeves for my records, can't get no laces for my shoes, can't get no fancy notes on my blue guitar, I can't get no antidote for....blues"

Track 9 - Brothers In Arms
The best track on the album. Dramatic intro to another melancholy song. Some real classic guitar playing showing Mark Knopfler's skill to perfection. "These mist covered mountains, are a home now for me, but my home id the lowlands, and always will be. Some day you'll return to, your valleys and your farms, and you'll no longer yearn to be, Brothers in Arms"

This album was a departure from the previous works by Dire Straits, and the last album of note, before the band split. It hit number one like a rocket and stayed in the charts for nearly three years. A classic by anyone's standard, even more so in these days of manufactured pop bands and recycled songs. Because of it's age it can frequently be found reduced in Woolworths, or as part of their latest 3 for 2 offer. Get it.

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