“Brothers in Arms” is an almost impossible monstrosity to review considering that it is one of the best-selling records in history should be able to defend itself.
The fifth studio album “Brothers in Arms” is by far the most successful of the British rock band Dire Straits. Thanks to hits like “Money for Nothing” and “Walk of Life”, it has sold an estimated 30 million copies worldwide to date, making it one of the best-selling albums of all times and genres.
The band guitarist and singer Mark Knopfler contests a variety of genres during the 55-minute album and thus serves a broad audience: everything from hard rock to genuine pop to atmospheric ballads are included.
We all like “Money for Nothing”, which is characterized by one of the best riffs of all time and an ironic but true text about the music industry. As well as the final atmospheric ballad “Brothers in Arms” or the rocking “One World”. But otherwise, there was nothing exciting to discover on the album, to be honest.
All of this sounded divine for record labels and radio and TV producers, but the reality is that unpredictability, group spirit, and the possibility of hearing something inspiring or capable of triggering strong emotions or even hearing one of those solos of guitars capable of leaving the listener jaw-dropping became increasingly remote.
Overall, Dire Straits tried to put too much bandwidth on the album and so the blues-rock songs that we love about them come a little short on this record.
Let’s be clear, this record marked its time: it is full of tubes, it is the first album released on CD and the clip of “Money For Nothing” is one of the first to have looped on MTV. The fact remains that it is difficult to fully appreciate it when you know the talent of its main architect. A talent still very present (all the songs contain a memorable melody or riff), but unfortunately, too marked by its time to remain timeless.
Listen to the full album below: