Dire Straits - Dire Straits

Track List:

1. Down To The Waterline

2. Water Of Love

3. Setting Me Up

4. Six Blade Knife

5. Southbound Again

6. Sultans Of Swing

7. In The Gallery

8. Wild West End

9. Lions

---

Prior to listening to this 

I think I have heard two songs by Dire Straits, Money For Nothing and Sultans of Swing.

---

Down To The Waterline

This reminds me a lot of Sultans Of Swing. While listening I was hoping that the entire album was not like this

Water Of Love

I felt this had a more exposed sound and was certainly different. 

Setting Me Up

This makes me think of Led Zeppelin’s Hot Dog. Not because it sounds the same but because it sounds like a rock centric take on a honky tonk sound. 

Six Blade Knife

This song reminds me of Talking Heads. 

Southbound Again

I really liked this one. There is a cowbell on each beat, the bass hits on “and one”, there is a neat little guitar riff that helps flesh out the background with a rock beat. The lead guitar plays solo but also plays counter to the vocal lines. It’s a fun ride. 

Sultans Of Swing

I’ve heard this song countless times. I noted on this listen that I hear the playful lead guitar that was present in the previous song. 

In The Gallery

This is just so different from the rest of the album. 

Wild West End

I enjoy the slide guitar. 

Lions

A nice complementary end of the album, similar to the way it started, not a full bookend however.

---

This album

Was extremely enjoyable. I wouldn’t mind a more critical listen but that will be another day when time is more plentiful.