Kind of an out-of-place album amongst the late 70s rush of punk, disco and the burgeoning new-wave scene. Dire straits was a vaguely blues-based 'adult-contemporary' rock band. Even the band's individual members are slightly incongruous in a rock setting. Band lead guitarist, singer and principal songwriter Mark Knopfler was an ex-journalist and schoolteacher; Knopfler's younger brother, guitarist David was a social worker; sociology student John Illsley on bass; and drummer Pick Withers.
The album did not fare well in Dire Straits' native England, but once the single "Sultans of Swing" blew up in the US, the UK sat up and took attention.
I don't have any particularly strong feelings about this album. It is perfectly enjoyable with some nice melodies and good musicianship... that said, it's so MoR that I find it more "inoffensive" than "life-changing".
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