Dire Straits Communique (180g Vinyl LP)

On their 1979 sophomore release Communique, Dire Straits continue to refine their pub-rock aesthetic with an unpretentious set of melancholy rock tunes. Mark Knopfler's penchant for cynical characters is further developed on tracks like "Where Do You Think You're Going" and "News," while the presence of Jerry Wexler at the production helm ensures that the rest of the band keeps the rhythms extra tight. Part of the reason for the band's uniqueness owes to its clean, vibrant sound. Just as Knopfler's narratives reflect poetic and surrealist texts, the group's arrangements - an intoxicating combination of easygoing shuffles, bluesy boogies, and pop-honed ballads - mirror the old-fashioned soulfulness and spaciousness inherent in the classic recordings of the late 50s and early 60s.