Dire Straits – Communique` : 2021 (180g Vinyl LP)

On their 1979 sophomore release Communique, Dire Straits continue to refine their pub-rock aesthetic with an unpretentious set of melancholy rock tunes. Mark Knopfler‘s penchant for cynical characters is further developed on tracks like “Where Do You Think You’re Going” and “News,” while the presence of Jerry Wexler at the production helm ensures that the rest of the band keeps the rhythms extra tight.

Part of the reason for the band’s uniqueness owes to its clean, vibrant sound. Just as Knopfler’s narratives reflect poetic and surrealist texts, the group’s arrangements – an intoxicating combination of easygoing shuffles, bluesy boogies, and pop-honed ballads – mirror the old-fashioned soulfulness and spaciousness inherent in the classic recordings of the late 50s and early 60s. It’s no wonder why Dire Straits has long been a favorite of audiophiles the world over. When it comes to sonic purity, transparent soundstages, and rich tonalities, few, if any bands sound better.

And now, thanks to the meticulous efforts of Warner Bros., Dire Straits’ 1979 masterwork can be experienced like never before. Remastered and cut from the original analog tapes and pressed on high-quality 180g vinyl, Communique is simply out-of-this-world good. Knopfler’s mesmerizing guitar textures and cool vocals appear as if they’re right in front of you. Details, imaging, and presence are on a level associated with the finest audiophile recordings.

Warner Bros. Records’ vinyl pressings pay the ultimate respect to both the work and the listener, and this must-have Dire Straits record is no exception. Listeners with original copies of the LP, or Simply Vinyl’s pressing, will be absolutely stunned upon hearing the improvements. And the rest of us can simply rejoice in knowing that Knoplfer‘s trademark tones, finger-picking, and leads resonate with an airiness, openness, and palpability they’ve never claimed prior. A five-star pressing!

Dire Straits Communique Track Listing:

1.  Once Upon a Time in the West
2.  News
3.  Where Do You Think You’re Going?
4.  Communique
5.  Lady Writer
6.  Angel of Mercy
7.  Portobello Belle
8.  Single-Handed Sailor
9.  Follow Me Home