As I'm a guitar player, I have a special affinity for this record and highly regard Mark Knopfler as a very innovative and talented guitarist. Released at a time when the musicial climate was very trendy and disposable, Dire Straits' debut release is a breath of fresh air for a stagnating time in popular music. Don't get me wrong, I love the punk explosion that was evident at the time and I feel it gave the industry a much needed kick in rear, as far as bringing the excitement of rock and roll back to its roots in that respect, but musically, it was a movement that couldn't last. The lineup of Dire Straits features Knopfler's brother David on rhythm guitar, bassist John Illsley and drummer Pick Withers; the album was produced by Muff Winwood and I think he captures the group's dynamic in a very comfortable, but revealing setting here, within Knopfler's talents as a driving force from his songwriting merits and prodigious guitar style. Down to the Waterline is the first track to introduce what would be the defining sound of the group as a whole and the ensemble performance is very tight and dexterous, while Mark's lead vocals echo a bit of Bob Dylan in his phrasings and tonality. His guitar playing, of course, is really what drives the track and his thumb-picking style brings a warm tone with a sense of musicality that is the opposite of most guitarists; the "less is more" approach is used to dramatic effect here and is an important aspect when regarding Knopfler's overall style.

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Water of Love begins quietly with the clinking of cláves and a Spanish style guitar arrangement to accentuate the construction of this quiet, brooding track; yielding a subtle, but powerful simplicity. Setting Me Up and Southbound Again share a similar jaunty, bouncy arrangement within their composition and one can almost feel a "James Burton" style of influence through Knopfler's playing qualities displayed here. Six Blade Knife is a very jazz-like track that is also subtle in its delivery, and like Water of Love before it, contains a quiet power and strength to its written arrangement. Sultans of Swing, of course, is what propelled this record into becoming a top 10 hit and making the debut a huge success in the process. It features a very sharp, driving tempo accentuated once again, by the delectable guitar passages of Knopfler's lead melodies, coupled with his song-speak style which would be one of his significant trademarks(it certainly wasn't too terrible that the song hit the top ten singles chart in the States!).  In the Gallery follows and has an upbeat, steadiness in its tempo and the melody line seems to predate Communique's Once Upon A Time in the West which was the  follow-up to this debut. All the same, the general feel of this track is quirky and comfortable in its laid-back appeal.

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Wild West End has qualities of a country/folk nature, introducing the beginning chords on Knopfler's 1937 National Steel guitar, giving it a touch of authenticity in its ballad-like arrangement and offers a beauty of a recording with the back-up harmonies added to the chorus.  As the record ends on a strong note with the casual and contemplative number Lions, Dire Straits' debut record achieves nothing short of brilliance and originality within its 42 min. duration and stands as a seminal album for its day and time  period.  Going against the grain of the trends in music, it comes out on top most successfully realized as an innovative and important artistic release.

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Rating Grade- A+