To attribute the immense success of DIRE STRAITS‘ “Brothers In Arms” to the advent of MTV and the appearance of “Money For Nothing” as the channel’s inaugural video in Europe, but that would mean to diminish the significance of the British ensemble’s steady ascent in the preceding seven years. It was that gradual crystallization of their style and sound that allowed the band to arrive at the melodic and lyrical level which made the nine pieces of their fifth full-length offering so irresistible, with Mark Knopfler’s vision reaching zenith – and, unfortunately, pointing to the finish of the collective’s run. They would reunite, following the first breakup, for one more platter and subsequent tours, yet the 1985 longplay remains the group’s finest hour. Strangely, the record’s reissues didn’t do the original any justice, the cramming of the songs onto CD leading to truncated length of a few tracks – so the 40th anniversary resurfacing of this classic will feel more than welcome.
To be out on May 16th in several formats – three-CD, five-LP, Blu-ray – the deluxe version not only restores what’s been lost and enhances the album’s sonics but also adds a previously unreleased concert from 1985. As for Blu-ray, there are Guy Fletcher’s 2023 Dolby Atmos mix, debuting on physical medium, its instrumental facet, 2005 5.1 mix, CD-variant stereo mix and 1985 vinyl stereo mix, all rolled into a single disc. At last!
Brothers In Arms:
40th Anniversary Edition
CD 1 – The Album:
1. So Far Away
2. Money For Nothing
3. Walk Of Life
4. Your Latest Trick
5. Why Worry
6. Ride Across The River
7. The Man’s Too Strong
8. One World
9. Brothers In Arms
CD 2 – Live In San Antonio 1985 – part 1:
1. Ride Across The River
2. Expresso Love
3. One World
4. Romeo And Juliet
5. Private Investigations
6. Sultans Of Swing
7. Why Worry
Brothers In Arms:
40th Anniversary Edition
CD 3 – Live In San Antonio 1985 – part 2:
1. Walk Of Life
2. Two Young Lovers
3. Money For Nothing
4. Wild West End
5. Tunnel Of Love
6. Brothers In Arms
7. Solid Rock
8. Going Home
