Artist: Dire Straits Album: Making Movies

Year: 1980
Duration: 38:13

A Critical Review of the Album: Making Movies by Dire Straits

Dire Straits, founded in 1977 by Mark Knopfler, is a British rock band known for their unique blend of classic rock and blues. One of their most iconic albums is Making Movies, which was released in 1980. The album features some of the band's most popular songs, including Romeo and Juliet, Skateaway, and Tunnel of Love. In this blog post, we will take a critical look at the album, discussing its history, genre, best songs, innovative parts, and offering our own review.

Making Movies is considered one of the finest albums in Dire Straits' catalog, as it was the first album to explore new musical directions and showcase the band's musical prowess beyond its blues-rock roots. The album primarily falls under the category of progressive rock, as it blends elements of rock, folk, and jazz into its overall sound.

The best songs of the album are Romeo and Juliet, Skateaway, and Tunnel of Love, which all feature Mark Knopfler's signature guitar style and poetic lyrics. Romeo and Juliet, in particular, is a song that has stood the test of time, with its beautiful melody and lyrics that speak to the heart.

The album's innovative parts include the use of synthesizers and electronic drums, along with the incorporation of Spanish guitar and saxophone. The album's final track, Les Boys, is also notable for its political undertones, as it critiques the treatment of immigrants in Europe.

However, despite its critical acclaim, Making Movies does have some drawbacks. Many critics believe that the album's second half is weaker than the first, with some songs feeling derivative of earlier work. Additionally, the album's production quality is not as strong as some of the band's later releases.

All in all, Making Movies is an album that has stood the test of time, with some of Dire Straits' most iconic songs and musical experimentation. While it may not be perfect, it is a testament to the band's creativity and musical innovation. For listeners who enjoy classic rock with a twist, Making Movies is definitely worth a listen.