A Fun 80's Album About....War?

#7 Dire Straits: Brothers in Arms

Today was all about the amazing 80's.  Eighty degrees that is.  The weather today was absolutely fantastic, but of course, I was stuck at work like most of the world. Its that kind of day that makes me wonder: what kind of person just blows off work and hangs out in the fantastic weather doing nothing?  Mark Knopfler...that's who.  While he's at it, he'll be getting his money for nothing and his chicks for free. The (somewhat) amazing 1980's music scene offered some interesting albums. There were many duds, some half decent releases, and some that would've worked just as well in the 60's, 70's, or 90's. With a little adjustment of production, Dire Straits "Brothers in Arms" could've fit any rock and roll time frame. Featuring the guitar playing of the 60's, glossiness of the 70's and the synthesizers of the 80's, "Brother in Arms" shows exactly why Dire Straits is one of those 80's acts that still plays well today. While on the exterior this seems like just another 80's party album thanks to tracks like "Money for Nothing" and "Walk of Life," it actually has a poorly hidden anti-war theme that has been right there on the surface waiting for me to pay attention.

Starting off Side One is what can only be a Fender guitar twanging out a great rock riff. "So Far Away From Me" uses synthesizer and guitars layers together to create a great start to an album. Next is the show stopper. I remember when my Dad got this album on CD. My brother and I would request the song about 'playing the guitar on the MTV.' He'd crank up the Boston Acoustics and we'd go crazy for the buildup to the opening riff. From that point, the song doesn't let you down. The tone on the guitar is very Clapton-esque and the synthesizer is used sparingly enough that it doesn't trample over it. All that adds up to fantastic production. Oh, and that guy in the background repeating "I want my MTV," is Sting. "Walk of Life" is an accurate title for this lively track. With its very sporty organ sound, I always feel like this song should be played right after John Fogerty's "Centerfield" at baseball games.  And anything you can relate to baseball (except steroids and Barry Bonds) has got to be a good thing. Next up is "Your Latest Trick" which at the beginning sounds like it belongs in a seedy straight to Cinemax movie. However, the track recovers quickly with Mark's vocals and guitar ringing through the saxophone. The song feels very adult and is probably rated NC-17, by 1985 standards. Well, before anyone gets all hot and bothered, lets move along. "Why Worry" is a gorgeously arranged Fender guitar advertisement. Its unmistakable tone at its best. The extra hint of synthesizer adds a dramatic effect, probably not necessary for a modernized version, but in '85 its a must. So now that I've added this to my list of songs to learn on the guitar, lets move on. The CD and cassette of this album features an eight minute version of this song...fortunately for us, its not on the LP.

Side Two doesn't have the wall-to-wall singles that side one had, but it does offer some decent enough tunes which frame some very specific lyrics. First is "Ride Across the River," which is a little scratched on my album.  All you really need to know about this song is that it was used in an episode of "Miami Vice," and believe me, it fits. On the cover of the album is a great picture of a resonator guitar, and wouldn't you know it, it appears on "The Man's Too Strong." Utilizing a fantastic slide, subtle synthesizer and the occasion big burst of sound, this song sets an interesting and very serious mood. A few minor chords thrown in help to focus your attention back on the desperate plea of the singer, fight the man! "One World" continues the seriousness, but this time its somewhat sabotaged by the slap bass. Some songs just don't need slap bass and this is one of them.  If the listener hasn't figure out the "specific lyrical content" i mentioned earlier, they will with this next song. "Brothers in Arms" is as anti-war as it gets. The Lyrics, the sound effects, the tone, and even the music video. For me, protest and anti-war songs are a double edged sword. A plain rock song with protest lyrics seems very half-assed and forced. Crappy musicianship and protest lyrics just makes you a punk band, which means no one over 22 will respect you. If you're going to do it right, follow the Dire Straits path, great lyrics, fantastic song structure and that Mark Knopfler guitar playing you can't get anywhere else in the 80's.

For an album that seemed so fun when I first heard it in the late 80's, it has a very serious tone.  I honestly picked this album to start the weekend, and now here we are at the end, and I'm feeling bummed out and in need of cheering up.  Good thing tomorrow is Friday.

Strongest Song: The Man's Too Strong
Weakest Song: One World
Song You Know: Money For Nothing
Why You Might Hate It: You're tired of anti-war protest and reverb.
Buy It?  A few MP3's have got it covered...there's no need to buy the LP, afterall it was the first album marketed to people on CD.