Telegraph road is an masterpiece

"Love Over Gold" is phenomenal. "Telegraph Road" is a masterpiece.

Debut album is flawless and their best with close second to Making Movies. The audiophile 45 RPM pressing of the debut is amazing. Immerse yourself inside the music.

Maybe Kramzer would let us all know what parts of Tunnel Of Love he would cut to make it shorter. This track is the best song recorded by the band, it’s perfect.

MM is a music fans album. I don't think a casual fan will appreciate this as much as a real fan will love it. Kramzer, I couldn't agree more that sequencing is a key part of making an album.

1. On Every Street 2. Love Over Gold 3.Communique 4 Brothers In Arms 5. Dire Straits 6. Making Movies

I've got a feeling that the general lack of consistent success of Dire Straits in the USA and the contrasting performance in the UK is driven by the differences in the societies. Something akin to the way Americans don't seem to get British humour there's a different outlook on life and that lends itself to appreciating different nuances. Hey, I'm neither a Pom or a Yank but even as a boy listening to Dire Straits I picked Brothers In Arms as being where Dire Straits leaned towards the American audience.

"Telegraph Road" is not mundane at all. Their best song IMHO- an incredible song!

I agree, "Making Movies" is a phenomenal album. One of the best sounding albums that I own. I have loved this album ever since I first heard it when originally released. Strangely, I was never able to get into their other albums. Oh well.

I think you three aren't old enough to appreciate the "Brothers in Arms" title track. Emotionally it hits like a truck.the theme of brotherhood isn't something that rock bands write enough about.

The first five albums are all masterpieces. On Every Street still good, but is a bit all over the shop stylistically & lacks the focus of the others. My ranking: 6) On Every Street 5) Communique 4) Dire Straits 3) Brothers In Arms 2) Love Over Gold 1) Making Movies

In the UK, the phenomenal sales success of Brothers In Arms was due to timing - it aligned dead-on with the mainstreaming of CD players. It has that 'pristine' sound quality that was so novel and revered at the time. The same dynamic came a decade earlier with hi-fi stereo and Dark Side of The Moon - it was 'the' album to show off the technology. These were the albums you heard playing in EVERY hi-fi store. The years since have not been kind to 80s production, nor indeed CD fidelity.

Shocked by two things: 1. How low Brother in Arms was ranked 2. How high Communique was ranked The debut and brother in arms are my favorites by far.

6: Love Over Gold (1982) 5: On Every Street (1991) 4: Making Movies (1980) 3: Communiqué (1979) 2: Dire Straits (1978) 1: Brothers in Arms (1985) Overall, a little bit of a let down of a discography as the first three albums all kinda blend together with a lot of filler. They got more creative after that, but it just made it a different sound not really a better one

In the UK here. This is a way belated comment, but yeah, the singles you listed are the ones that are known here too. Even here they’re not beloved on the level of the greats of time. He’s an excellent guitarist, and they have a few great signs. The stuff most people know are the Brothers in Arms singles and Sultans of Swing, here and everywhere.

1. Love over gold 2. Brothers in arms 3. Making movies 4. On every street 5. Dire straits 6. Communique

Of what I've heard 5. Communique 4. Love over gold 3. Brothers in arms 2. Dire straits 1. Making movies

Totally agree. Making Movies is a great album. Been my fave by them for a decade

Another nice review guys. Agree Making Movies is great and their best...and Estreet Band member Roy Bittan is an important and perfect addition on piano and organ. (Thanks Jimmy Iovine!) He fits in perfectly and adds a very nice component to the original line up (except David of course). He is a great player. And Alan did a fine job with those parts live. I find it quite difficult to rank these albums as they all have great songs...but I would put Love over Gold higher. Telegraph Road is not too long at all, love that track, it’s exactly how long it needs to be! 6. Brothers in Arms (wow I know!) 5. On Every Street 4. Communique 3. Dire Straits 2. Love over Gold 1. Making Movies Ps. Brothers in Arms (the song) is a masterpiece. Can’t tell you how much I love that song. Sometimes I want Mark to really go off in the outro but the restraint is perfect. And finally Alchemy is a great live album start to finish. A perfect mix of their songs up to that time and seemingly definitive versions of each, many in their longer awesome form.

My worst-best dire straits albums of all time. 6. On every street 5. Love over gold 4. Communique 3. Making movies 2. Dire straits 1. Brothers in arms

6.On Every Street 5.Brothers In Arms 4.Making Movies 3.Communique 2.Dire Straits 1.Love Over Gold

love these discussions ! would really like if you 'd do elliott smith and blur !

1. Dire Straits (easily) 2. Love over gold 3. making movies 4. brothers in arms 5. communique 6. on every street

You were right with making movies good album I haven’t listened to it in about 30 years though thanks for a great video

Could I suggest an idea for a video guys? Best bass lines ever. I have a soft spot for killer bass lines. They are usually overlooked! Here a few picks om my side: Debaser by Pixies, Walk on the wild side by Lou Reed, Psycokiller by Talking Heads, Under Pressure by Bowie, Le Freak by Chic, Money by Pink Floyd, Astral Weeks by Van Morrison, Peaches by The Stranglers, A town called Malice by The Jam, The Magnificent Seven by The Clash, Come Together by The Beatles, Barbarism begins at home by The Smiths and Fools Gold by The Stone Roses

My list would be exactly like Jason's this time. I'm normally closer to Kramzer's taste but not here... Making Movies is a great album and so is Alchemy

1. Dire Straits 2. Brothers in Arms 3. Making Movies 4. Love Over Gold 5. Communique 6. On Every Street

Great lists, I agree with everyones #1, the rest of my list is a bit different. Mark is one of my favorite guitarists, enjoy his solo work too. 1 - Making Movies 2 - Brothers In Arms 3 - Dire Straits 4 - On Every Street 5 - Love Over Gold 6 - Communique

6. On Every Street 5. Brothers in Arms 4. Dire Straits 3. Communiqué 2. Making Movies 1. Love Over Gold (Five amazing tracks of Bob Dylan/Leonard Cohen-style roots rock prog. Their fucking best!)

Didn't know if you included EP's. They had one in Twisting by the Pool. Would have been curious to see where that would have been ranked.

There's no question in my mind that Making Movies is by far their best album . The only blot on that perfect landscape is Les Boys . Had they have had a song more like Wild West End in it's place , it would have pushed that album higher into the stratosphere . And it opens with their best song , Tunnel of Love . Here's my list in order of preference : Making Movies Dire Straits Love Over Gold Communique Brothers in Arms On Every Street Thanks !

Another great ranking guys, perhaps do the doobie brothers or supertramp

Joe's list is my list on this one, although I am with Jason as far as how great Making Movies is. I do remember Skateaway getting some decent radio play when it was released, at least in my area. That and Expresso Love will be in my top ten list for sure. Cheers!

Their first album was their best and making movies a close second. I was a kid when they released that and you cannot underestimate the splash it made back then and all the songs are solid even the last 3

Right now my order would probably be the debut, Love Over Gold, Making Movies, Brothers In Arms, Communique and On Every Street. The top 4 could shift a little for me on relistening but pretty sure my bottom 2 will stay the same, although I do think Communique is a little underrated overall. It may be a retread of the debut but still very good.

1. Love Over Gold 2. Dire Straits 3. On Every Street 4. Communiqué 5. Making Movies 6. Brothers In Arms

The landscape changed when Sultans hit the airwaves . The guitar tone unmistakeable . Put on side one f debut and he announces his arrival with a few haunting notes. Its moods and landscapes made for folks who are not in a hurry to …. That live record Alchemy has a great sound but more importantly highlights how dynamic the band is live . Dynamics boys dynamics! :)

On Every Street might not be their best album, but the title track is just all gorgeous melancholy. Deserves a nod.

1: Brothers In Arms 2: On Every Street 3: Love Over Gold 4: Dire Straits 5: Communique 6: Making Movies

A bit random, but do you guys like The National? would love a list of them at some point.

1 - Making Movies... Their best album. This is a great album for me (I agree with Jason). Roy Bittan makes a big difference. 2 - Dire Straits ... First album of theirs I bought and I still love it. Two of the songs following Sultas of Swing are In The Gallery and WIld West End...Two of my favourites on the album! 3 - Communique... Like the first album just not quite as good but much better than those I have below it. 4 - Love Over Gold... 5 - Brothers In Arms... Loved this when it came out and saw them on this tour but over time it has dropped away as an album I listen to. 6 - On Every Street

1 Love Over Gold 2 Making Movies ( Les Boys knocks it down) 3 Debut 4 Brothers In Arms( a few years ago, second, just fatigued with it) 5 On Every Street 6 Communiqué They also had a mini EP called " Twisting By The Pool ", 50s style rock, quite cool The live album " Alchemy " is a masterpiece, in my top three favorite live albums

I agree with Jason. Making Movies is a great album. 1.Making Movies 2. Lover over Gold 3. Brothers in Arms 4. Dire Straits 5. Communique 6. On Every Street

My ratings: 6. On Every Street 5. Communique 4. Brothers in Arms 3. Making Movies 2. Love Over Gold 1. Dire Straits

I really like his writing on his solo album Get Lucky from 2009. His playing is perfect. If my dad was still alive I’d recommend it to him. Mark was already 30 years old as he broke through with Sultans Of Swing in 1979. He’d already seen a lot. If his writing style is a lot less rock and roll consider his guitar hero was Chet Atkins while growing up. I’d give Get Lucky ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️1/2.

So, I missed this one when it first came out and only just watched it now, but felt a need to comment. I would say that I do like Dire Straits 'a good bit' more than any of you guys, in that I think they have several great albums and all of them are very good to great. And I certainly have no complaint about ranking Making Movies No.1, as it is a great album (its only weakness is Les Boys, which unfortunately is one of the bands worst songs). But I was quite surprised by the way Brothers in Arms was pretty much dismissed by all three of you. To me, this is their masterpiece, a great album from start to finish, and one of the best albums of the eighties. I think all of you mentioned that the first 3 tracks were great, but after that the album was not that good (particularly those 'middle' tracks). What? Those are some of the best tracks on the album. I would rank Why Worry and Brothers in Arms as the 2 best tracks on the album, with Your Latest Trick, The Man's Too Strong, and Ride Across the River all close behind. Great Stuff. Anyway, love all their albums, but was most surprised by the lack of love for Brothers. Here's my list (athough the ranks below the first 2 are subject to change depending on what I listened to most recently) 6. On Every Street - Nice comeback after absence, great to hear their unique sound again, but just not quite as good as earlier albums 5. Love Over Gold - Great tracks, but flow of album not as good as others 4. Dire Straits - Dynamite debut, some classic tracks, but also a couple weaker ones, their sound and songwriting got better with subsequent albums 3. Communique - Great sound, styles, some songwriting improvement from debut. 2. Making Movies - Great album, filled with great songs and dynamite sound (except for Les Boys, which is one of the bands worst songs) 1. Brothers in Arms - Masterpiece. Great from start to finish, great mood, atmosphere, style throughout, a defining album of the time.

Saw them on the Brothers tour. That album was a big part of my teenage years. That said, Communique and Making Movies are better albums. Well done gentlemen!

For me: 1.Making Movies 2.Brothers in Arms 3.Love Over Gold 4.Communiqué 5.Dire Straits 6. On every Street

Why they stopped ? I never heard reason ...they were on top . ?

Some of the album tracks on Brothers in Arms are good for me the Man's Too Strong has dated way better than Walk of Life and Money For Nothing I can't listen to those songs anymore. I like Across the River.

I would suggest that “Wild West end” is ultra sexy. Can confirm.

1. Making Movies 2. Dire Straits 3. Brothers In Arms 4. Communique 5. Love Over Gold 6. On Every Street

FADE TO BLACK, PLANET OF THE NEW ORLEANS. is some of the best songs ever

Very difficult to rate 6 excellent albums against each other. Their debut album is perfect in my opinion and can easily be number one. I love their progressive masterpiece Love Over Gold, totally mind blowing. Absolutely nothing wrong with Making Movies, but I love Love Over Gold plus their debut album more. On Every Street would naturally be on the bottom of the list even though Ticket To Heaven is easily one of my favorite Dire Straits songs. Brothers In Arms is a masterpiece all the way through. Communique is an album I feel could have been even better if their managers or whatever could have let Dire Straits do their thing. Twisting By The Pool is a cool EP.

1. Brothers in Arms 2. Making Movies 3. Dire Straits 4. Love Over Gold 5. Communique 6. On Every Street Brothers in Arms is a Masterpiece from start to finish. Making Movies is a close second. To me those 2 albums are clearly there best 2.

For my list of top 400 or so albums I don't have any Dire Straits. Making Movies would come the closest. Some great individual songs.

I will agree with ya on Making Movies was a great album but i thought Love over Gold was super too.

I get tired of hearing about so many songs from back in day as being cheesy! Other than 2 of my favorite bands of today, Tool and Radio Head, I consider most of today's music as being cheesy! Mark Knopfler is easily top 10 greatest guitarists of all time.

Hmmm....this has just been come across. Should be fascinating. All will be interesting. 😊

Making Movies is just a little too bland on the B side but it's the perfect amalgam between early and late Dire Straits.

I’m not a huge Brothers in Arms guy but Mark Knopfler and Chet Atkins on guitar. But the thing that puts it way over the top is Everly Brothers on vocals. Now that’s what the song needed to be. Arms’ songs just seems to be too drawn out. This album is the album that sold a gazillion CD players.

Love Over Gold and Alcamey are class.

Enjoy the site. Any chance of doing Kansas soon?

Making Movies is the right choice. The drums on that album is magic

Maybe it's just me, but Making Movies just doesn't click with me the way their other albums do. It's still OK but I didn't find the songs really memorable. My ranking would be: 1 Communique 2 Dire Straits 3 Love Over Gold 4 Brothers In Arms 5 On Every Street 6 Making Movies

Good to great albums! 1. Making Movies 2. Dire Straits 3. Love Over Gold 4. Brothers In Arms 5. On Every Street 6. Communique

Their debut still is more consistent and better than any other album, but Making Movies is a close second. Very close. Brothers in Arms has a couple of big hits but that’s it. Eighties production hurts it.

Finally you are all correct on the number 1 choice. Making Movies is their best album by a country mile (Les Boys being the only weakish song).

6. On Every Street (1991) ★★½ 5. Communiqué (1979) ★★★½ 4. Dire Straits (1978) ★★★★ 3. Love Over Gold (1982) ★★★★ 2. Brothers in Arms (1985) ★★★★½ 1. Making Movies (1980) ★★★★★ ★★★★★ - Masterpiece ★★★★½ - Really great ★★★★ - Great ★★★½ - Really good ★★★ - Good ★★½ - OK ★★ - Bad ★½ - Really bad ★ - Awful ½ - The worst

Making Movies is a stunner! Absolutely brilliant. 5⭐. Other albums are solid with some great tunes but don't compare to MM. (Kramzer, Tunnel is too long 😂🤣🤷. Yes, Jason it is best of '80)

Best album is Love Over Gold 👍

Making Movies is really good. It has six really good songs. They should have left Les Boys on the cutting room floor, however.

I like Dire Straits, but all of their albums have a lot of filler. My favourite by a mile is the live one, Alchemy, all his studio albums are produced to the point of sterility.

Okay guys, I do have a Dire Straits ranking list, but your going to hate me for where I placed your favourite album. That being said. Even though you are ranking them as “studio” album group, I have added two extra albums for certain reasons. A. There are some songs that are on them that are pretty good, but are not featured on the 6 ‘original’ “studio” albums. B. Dire Straits is a band that is meant to be heard “live”!!!! I have seen them perform in a colosseum twice, and was totally moved by what they’ve brought up to the plate. Especially Mark Knopfler with his extra ad libs!!! I found this group to be totally entertaining when they are not bottled up in the recording studio or making music videos for MTV. Well anyways, I will stop rambling now, and Here is my ranking of Dire Straits albums: #1. Brothers In Arms - Mark and boys at their peak here in 1985. The strongest song for me is “Man’s Too Strong”. A song that talks about a soldier’s regrets for all of his evildoings, and is to be executed while being escorted from his prison cell. Excellent story telling and dobro work from Knopfler. The weakest song for me is “Your Latest Trick”. This song is too jazzy and has too much sax in it. Overall still a solid album. #2. Dire Straits - A great introduction to Mark and gang, includes a short version of “Sultans Of Swing”. #3. Alchemy - This live 1983 recording captures what the Straits do best which is put on extended concert performances!!! Highlights include an extended version of “Sultans Of Swing”, a rousing rendition of “Tunnel Of Love” and an instrumental closing piece titled “Going Home” from Mark Knopfler’s Local Hero soundtrack. The weakest song on it is “Two Young Lovers”. #4. Love Over Gold - Knopfler is on fire here with his story song “Telegraph Road” which talks about the changing land developments, and struggles with unemployment!!! His guitar playing is at it’s peak here!!! Highlights include “Industrial Disease”, “Private Investigations”, and “Love Over Gold”. Knopfler makes his debut as classical guitarist on the latter two. The weakest track is “It Never Rains”. That song drags on and on. #5. Money For Nothing - This greatest hits album features edited cuts and live versions of songs from previous albums. Highlights include “Portobello Belle: live”, “Twisting By The Pool”, and an alternate take on “Where Do You Think You’re Going”. #6. Communique - This album is a continuation of the first album and the last to feature Mark’s brother David. Though you get tired of hearing Mark play that same old red Stratocaster, and are looking forward to hearing him bend and pluck strings on a Les Paul or a Pensa Suhr, his playing is still superb on this album. Highlights include “Once Upon A Time In The West”, “News”, and the “Sultans Of Swing” cloned “Lady Writer”. An okay album. #7. Making Movies - I warned you that you we’re going to hate me for this, but I ranked this album toward the bottom for several reasons. I have never owned a copy of this album, at least not yet, but I have heard some of the songs, on the Alchemy live album , and Money For Nothing compilation. I have even seen the videos to these songs, but never really warmed to them. That being said. The highlights for me on this album include “Solid Rock”: their best version, “Tunnel Of Love”, and “Skateaway”. The weakest song on this was “Les Boys”!!! #8. On Every Street - Yes this is the weakest Dire Straits album ever, and while Knopfler put away his red Stratocaster and picked up the Pensa Suhr for this album, he churns out some of the worst material for this band ever. After a 6 year hiatus, Knopfler forays into country and western music which he picks up from his buddies Chet Atkins and the Notting Hillbillies, blues, and easy listening. Yuck! He should’ve stayed with pop/rock throughout this album!!! Only half of his original band members are with him: bassist John Illsley, and keyboardists Alan Clark, and Guy Fletcher. Drummer Terry Williams, and guitarists Hal Lindes, and Jack Sonni disappear, and are replaced by second rate amateur musicians. There is too much pedal steel on this, jazzy woodwinds on this to make this a standout rocker. The only saving grace is that there are 12 songs instead of 9. Highlights include “Calling Elvis”, “My Parties”, and “Iron Hand”. The weakest song on this is “You And Your Friend”. So is my ranking and I hope it gave new insights on how Mark and the boys are viewed from a different perspective!!! Be looking forward to the next one!! Cheers!!!

Wow it must be the generational fifferences. I couldn't filigree with your criticism of the band more. You will not find many bands with better musicianship than Dire Straits. Their albums are all varying levels of great. But I grew up in the times these were made, so I guess the youd have to have been there defense us appropriate here.

Sorry but Brothers in Arms is amazing IMHO. Least liked song on that album for me is Money for Nothing. I do love Making Movies. Skateaway is a fantastic tune. Would like to point out this is one of very few groups or artists whose complete list of studio albums I own. Love your channel!

Good analysis on how Dire Straits as a whole is less than the sum of it's part(s). Communique and Making Movies are by far the best not that I am a big enough fan to know. I know it was loved but the song "Walk of Life" is just an annoying song.

Surprised that Making Movies came out top. For me, there are two weak tracks on it, which you didn't get on the other three albums that came first. It's great record, but Skateaway is a bit tuneless and Les Boys just a throwaway joke. For me Love Over Gold is the peak, all great tunes and Knopfler's guitar on Telegraph Road, Industrial Disease and It Never Rains is exeptional. No weak tracks on this album and I'm surprised at the lack of love for it. 1. Love Over Gold 2. Dire Straits 3. Communique 4. Making Movies 5. Brothers In Arms 6. On Every Street

Gentleman, I've viewed several of your "ranking" videos (Pretenders/Eagles/Springsteen) now and it would be my suggestion that in the future you discuss bands all three of you are fans of. The heart of any great band lies in the deep tracks and if you're only enough of a fan to recommend the radio hits, a casual fan as they say, then you're doing your viewers and the band a disservice, one that could be avoided if you chose to rank the albums of a band all of you *do* enjoy. By essentially recommending a Greatest Hits comp suggests to me this isn't a band you "get", and that's fine, but it doesn't paint an accurate description of the artist. To say DS is not an 'album' band, or that the middle of Brothers lags is fine, they aren't the band for you, so perhaps it would be best to stick to bands whose discographies you're more familiar with. The very essense and soul of Brothers In Arms lies in those middle songs, but they are not as immediate as the hits and require an attentive ear, something a true fan of the band would have given.

Their studio albums are spotty but i think they're live album is absolutely fantastic

Hi, I think there diirst vi yl Dire Straits is their best. Definitely. In The Gallery is the best song on the alhum.

1. Making Movies 2. Brothers In Arms 3. Dire Straits 4. Love Over Gold 5. On Every Street 6. Communique

nice listening :) I can see everything that was mentioned :) I am not a huge DS fan, but their best record is 100% the Alchemy Live album. (i know, not in contention). All the great earlier songs on it, and every song tops the studio version by far! just listen and watch Sultan of swings on youtube from that.

A good band but overrated and finally killed by their mainstream success. Knopfler is a decent guitarist but not the hero that many made out of him. I need to digest him in smaller doses, like on the Dylan albums he contributed to. 1. Dire Straits (A great debut with a new sound - no, this was not JJ Cale as some said at the time, even if I would judge that as a compliment. Every song on the album still sounds great today.) 2. Making Movies (Nice how they developed but still stayed true to themselves) 3. Communique (It is a lesser version of the first one. But since the first one is great, even the second sitting is still good.) 4. Brothers in Arms (This was when they started to get "product" and "business" - but apart from this, there are some great songs here but also just "sonic perfection" . All this arena/CD/marketing was just too much and almost made you forget the music...) 5. Love Over Gold (The meandering is just too long in those tunes compared to the substance the songs actually had.) 6. On Every Street (Was this still a Dire Straits album? Calling Elvis is the only song I still remember - it is the blueprint for everything Mark Knopfler released afterwards. All his albums have one or two great tunes and the rest is professional filler at highest audio quality but empty.) I might sound harsh but actually I liked this band very much except for the final album. I also listened to all the solo stuff the original members did afterwards. Mark Knopfler always provided some good music but it never again was enough to keep up interest for a whole album, something he has in common with Sting. PS - I made my list prior to watching the video. As usual my view differs probably due to the different way of experiencing the band, which means I discovered them when the debut came out in 1978 and then bought each following one when they were released. Growing with a band is different from looking at a full discography in hindsight. (This is neither a US nor a UK view, but in my country Brothers in Arms is one of the best selling albums of all time, only ABBA sold more. I cannot remember anyone except for myself who had their debut album in 1977 though.)

Totally disagree with you on, On every street. Their best album!

Dire at times but love over gold is excellent not my favourite band boring at times Excellent guitarist i will say that

allways ok band nice first two albums nothing deep and truly important

Really not an albums band

You are the less boys you all gay! The best albums is 1. Dire straits 2. Communique 3. On every street 4. Love over gold 5. Brothers in arms 6. Making movies 🤮

Right I’m sorry. I would never deny a man his opinion but to state that Telegraoh road is “lyricaly boring” is ludicrous. There’s no accounting for taste however and coming from a Hugh Grantish fop haired, specy, bandana wearing polo shirt “Mark Knopflers my number one guitarist yet I’m bored by his music” quoting the wiki page for every album moron that’s not surprising

The worst Dire Straits album is all of them.

What's the point of doing a podcast about Dire Straits if you don't even like them?

1. Dire Straits 2. Brothers In Arms 3. Love Over Gold 4. Communique 5. On Every Street 6. Making Movies