Most Helpful Customer Reviews
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33 of 36 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
A Terrific Early Dire Straits Album!, August 29, 2000
I was lucky enough to be living in England just outside London in a little town called West Ruislip just down the cobbled streets from the "T" station near the famous "Orchards" pub when Dire Straits released their "Love Over Gold" album in 1982, and the young English couple living in the flat upstairs played it over and over, introducing me both to their good taste in music and the terrific group called "Dire Straits" in the process. Of course, as I think back upon it, I was familiar with their hit "Sultans Of Swing", but never really paid much attention until hearing this terrific album and Mark Knopfler's unbelievably stirring, crisp and innovative guitar solos. Soon I was down at the music shoppe buying their other albums, including "Communique'. By that time I was familiar with their unique and unforgettable sound and also their very introspective lyrics. I came to love this album as much as "Love Over Gold", and several of the cuts are my favorites. Starting with the first cut, "Once Upon A Time In The West", Knopfler's distinctive twanging guitar sound echoed in my flat to all hours of the morning, along with "Where Do you Think You Are Going?", "Communique", and "Lady Writer". My own personal favorites here are "Angel Of Mercy" and "Portobello Bella". In the short two years I lived in Britain, Knopfler became a kind of institutionalized artistic force everywhere one looked, writing soundtrack music for (among other films) "Local Hero" and "Cal", performing both alone and with Dire Straits, and collaborating with other artists, as well. The music here is very and innovative progressive rock, and the electric guitar work literally sings by itself. When I listen to the album now, it is a source of continuing amazement to me that Knopfler could make the sounds that emanated out of that instrument so uniquely animated as it is. The whole band is terrific, and it is sad that they made so few albums before internal frictions broke them apart. Enjoy this and their other wonderful albums. Here in "Communique" they make an indelible stamp on modern rock that I am sure you will find entertaining and entrancing. Enjoy!
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5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Underrated and a must have..., April 6, 2004
By A Customer
'Communique' was unfairly criticised after the critical acclaim that the first one received. The first one is good but this one is also. It is the most underrated Dire Straits' album. A significant one for the band not just because it was the last one to feature the original lineup including David Knopfler; the group's personnel changed frequently thereafter.All nine songs, whilst not among the very best or most famous of their work are very appealing and there are no duds here. Knopfler's story-telling provides an interesting scenario throughout. The recording location is powerful as well. Its a more laid-back sound and introduces keyboards which their first album did not have. 'Once Upon A Time in the West' features a reggae beat which the band rarely used. Perhaps if they had a major hit single or radio faviourite from this one it would have performed better. 'Lady Writer' is most likely to have been released as a single. 'Single Handed Sailor' is another strong track from the album. It then gives way to the crashing of the waves which open the closing 'Follow Me Home' which is flawless. All in all a solid effort from the group before they made it big, released at a time when punk and disco dominated the headlines. Almost 25 years later and this album - as is their debut album - is still a sound for all time.
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6 of 7 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Absolutely Beautiful!, May 25, 2005
When I first listened to the first Dire Straits album, back in the Seventies, I was instantly drawn to them. There was too much going on in the music scene at that time, sonically that is, and suddenly, here comes a band with a no-distortion guitar sound, with down-to-earth themes-mind you, those themes had their own spirituality- and, most important, with the ability to touch us all with music and words that speak directly to our hearts and souls! Am I exaggerating here? (...)
I do feel though, that, while other bands and artists at that time felt the need to create a complicated "progressive rock sound" aiming at impressing their young and inexperienced audience, these guys took their themes out of the harsh reality of life and made them songs, without bothering to sugar-coat them or disguise them in any way...and yet, the beautiful simplicity of their music is breathtaking!
I was born and raised in Athens, Greece, a city where life is damn difficult, but also a city that has never lost its soul, and this is where the first big success came for Dire Straits: Over 40,000 sales for their first album and at least as many for Communique, almost overnight!!!!
And this album was much inspired by the Greek way of life, especially the last song, "Follow Me Home", which Mark Knopfler wrote after the band visited the island of Rhodes. Having lived in Rhodes for three years, I can totally relate to that song...
I must say, I enjoyed what Dire Straits did after "Communique". I like "Making Movies" and even more I like "Love Over Gold", the second Dire Straits album to deeply touch my soul, especially after going through the 80's recession in British Columbia, Canada.
I still maintain though, that, "Communique" is a unique album. Despite some sonic similarities with their first album, especially in the opening tracks of "sides A & B", the feeling here is distinctly different from their first LP. I won't go through the individual songs here, other reviewers have done this already, and the fact is, I like all the songs.
My advice to all the listeners is simply to just relax, listen to this CD and get the feeling of it! Enjoy!
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album Communiqué 
