Trust Mark Knopfler not to succumb to platitude, regardless where he is and what's going on around him. There they are sitting on the Caribbean island paradise of Montserrat, and what does the man write? Songs about the pain of separation, love gone wrong and The Blues in general ("So Far Away," "Your Latest Trick," "Why Worry" and "One World"), a part tongue-in-cheek, part grating duet with Sting, who just happened to be available because he was vacationing on Montserrat, on an underdog's gripes about rock stardom ("Money For Nothing"), followed by a more upbeat variation on the "stardom" theme (although even there, we are reminded that "after all the violence and double talk, there's just a song in all the trouble and the strife, you do the Walk Of Life") ... and no less than three songs about war and the abuse of power ("Run Across The River," "The Man's Too Strong" and of course, "Brothers in Arms").

Musically, this album is more diversified than Dire Straits' prior studio albums; there's a sax in "Your Latest Trick," "Walk Of Life" has a rockabilly feel, and the instrumentation of "Run Across the River" is inspired by the Caribbean setting in which the record was produced - but listen to that song's lyrics and see how they contrast with what at first impression sounds like airy island paradise melodies: "I'm a soldier of fortune, I'm a dog of war and we don't give a damn who the killing is for; it's the same old story with a different name - death or glory, it's the killing game." ("The Man's Too Strong," which deals with a dictator's thoughts upon being brought to trial, is similar in that respect; although the Caribbean sound is replaced by rhythm and steel guitars, with two single guitar riffs, sharp as bullets, accentuating the chorus.) The band also took full advantage of the advances in production techniques available to them at that time. The result was an album that drove home to even the last uninitiated chump out there that Dire Straits were a musical force to reckon with, and that the success of their prior albums had not been coincidence alone.

Among all the excellent songs on this album, it is the title track which stands out mile-high. From the growling thunderstorm opening, the sad and evocative electric guitar intro, and the first verse, more whispered than sung, through the slow and steady crescendo of the song's intensity to the closing guitar solo, Mark Knopfler's ode about war, in ancient Scotland and today, "civil" and otherwise, is nothing short of a true masterpiece. The interplay of Knopfler's vocals and his guitar. The sole riff introducing the guitar part after the line "and we have just one world but we live in different ones," tearing through the song's fabric like a sore wound breaking open. And of course, the closing guitar solo which completely defies description and makes any attempt to characterize it by words like "haunting" or "dramatic" sound like a shallow cliché.

"Brothers in Arms" was Dire Straits' most successful studio album, and one of the biggest-selling albums of the 1980, thanks to an exhaustive tour and the high exposure its single releases received on MTV. But more than anything, it helped define a decade; musically and otherwise. It has made rock music history, and it will always stand right up there with the best that anybody in the business has ever produced.

This release is a two-sided disc with CD stereo on one side and superb DVD-Audio surround sound on the other. Of course, the real 'meat' on this disc is the surround-sound 5.1 DVD side which is simply stunning! If you have a DVD-Video player hooked-up to surround-sound home-theater system, then you'll get a great sound in Dolby Digital 5.1, or 24bit LPCM stereo.

However, very best sound experience possible will come to your ears if you use a "DVD-Audio" player with its six-analog outputs going straight to your receiver's "Multichannel Analog Inputs". (These inputs bypass all the receiver's digital circuitry to keep the high-resolution analog signal intact. By the way, the DVD-Audio surround-sound is presented in 96kHz / 24bit on the disc.

Some readers here may know that there is also a SACD version of this album, but be aware that the SACD has been converted from the DVD-Audio's 24bit studio master. So, in short, this DVD-Audio will give you the very best and truest reproduction of what was crafted originally in the studio.

I own 7 versions of this album now (LP's, Cassettes, CD's ect.), and this is by far the best for one reason: The 5.1 mix. As many times as I have listened to this album, I hear things I have never heard before with the 5.1 mix. In my opinion, this is THE greatest album of all time. They did a superb job on the 5.1 mix, as it isn't rolling around the room, but has a combination soundstage and background. Some percussion and specialty instuments are in the rear channels, but Knopfler is in the center channel, where he should be, and the main instruments are well placed to create a life-like soundstage. Just writing this review makes me want to plug it in right now.

If you are not sure weather or not to get it:

You made it this far, you are interested. If you are the least bit interested.... GET IT! You will be glad you did.

Dire Straits Brothers in Arms is one of my favorite albums. I love pretty much every song here, and together the CD presents a long, well designed story.

You start with "So Far Away", the easily understandable lament of anybody who has been away from their loved one. It gets right at the heart of the emotion, with the same thoughts running around and around in your mind, unable to be shaken free.

Next comes the super-classic, super-popular Money for Nothing. I can still instantly remember the video, with its then-amazing computer animation. Sting makes fun of his "Don't Stand So Close to Me" melody in the background - a song about a teacher trying to resist his attraction to a young female student - by calling out "I Want My MTV!" The whole song is a big spoof of consumer culture (including that MTV reference) and the lyrics were taken from actual snippets of conversation that Mark Knopfler had heard people saying. We may take the sexy-MTV-world for granted in modern times, but back when this was released, it seemed a perfect apt commentary on the big-boobs-fancy-houses world that MTV was putting out.

Walk of Life is a straightforward "walking song", something to listen to as you head out for a walk around your neighborhood. It's about getting through life as best you can, and doing the best with what you have. I find it very inspirational.

Your Latest Trick gets more into deeper emotions. With the more sultry sound, it ponders why relationships don't always go smoothly. I'm sure we can all relate to that! Not only is the song really meaningful for anyone who's been hurt, but I just love the lyrics. "Most of the taxis, and most of the whores, are only taking calls in cash." It gives you a visceral mental image.

Next comes one of my real favorites, "Why Worry". Talk about the perfect song to play when you're feeling low. Just put a log on the fire, sit back with a glass of port, and listen to this one play. The guitar work is gorgeous, and Mark's soothing voice really does help make it feel like things will get better.

Every song in his is gorgeous, right up until the incredibly powerful and poignant Brothers in Arms. Whether you're for war or against it, you have to appreciate the things that our soldiers go through, and the great appreciation we should have for them in doing it.

Highly Recommended.

I have owned "Brothers in Arms" since it was released in 1985, first on cassette and then on CD. It has always been on my short list of music that comes out of my 800-plus discs to be played often. For all of my enjoyment from this fine album over the years, it has been rendered obsolete after just a few minutes of hearing this 5.1 rendering playing through my home theater system. The mastering is not just a faux 5.1, but a true experience that makes hearing the songs feel like it is the first time. The rear speakers stay busy with short fills, the center speaker is pure vocal, making Knopfler's voice so clear and distinct, and when that thunder storm cracks on the title track, the sub lets you know it is really thunder, you can feel it.

For the price, you can't get a better rendering of a great album. In short, the 5.1 DVD is a perfect way to hear this music, but at a cost. It will make it hard to enjoy basic left / right stereo recordings again.