Dire Straits - Brothers In Arms (Back To Black [UGM Series] Re-Release; 1985, [Re] 2010)

So! Here we are, talking about the record that sparked the idea for this blog.

Let's begin by breaking the record down.

The tracklist is as follows:

• A1: So Far Away (3.59)
• A2: Money For Nothing (7.04)
• A3: Walk Of Life (4.07)
• A4: Your Latest Trick (4.46)
• A5: Why Worry (5.22)
• B1: Ride Across The River (5.57)
• B2: The Man's Too Strong (4.40)
• B3: One World (3.40)
• B4: Brothers In Arms (6.00)

So as you can already see, all of these tracks are shorter than the re-release that is widely available, mostly available on CD and recently available on the RSD 2-LP 45RPM re-release (almost like a disease), yet a little longer than the original 1985 release. That was definitely one thing I had noticed while listening to this record. Some of the versions included on this re-release are strangely cut; for example, on Your Latest Trick and Why Worry, the music begins to fade out right after Mark Knopfler barks out his final lyrics before the long, musically whimsical instrumentals at the end, which made me question the intentions on whoever worked on this "deleted version". That was the only downside to this re-release.

Now, for sound quality, all I have to say is: WOW. Never have I heard such amazing acoustics from vinyl! I will give the record and the remasters in the studio this. With my set-up, my subwoofer nearly causes an earthquake in my house, the lows of each track is that powerful. The treble and highs are terrific and needs almost no treatment or adjustments. The sound quality, for a lack of a better phrase, is powerful. Everything you would hear from a CD recorded with today's studio standards (played on an actual stereo system, not some cheap Walmart boombox) is exactly what you hear from this vinyl. There is just one downside though, and that is on Money For Nothing. In the original pressing back in 1985, I feel as if the drums at the beginning, building up to the guitar solo, are stronger than in the repress. It's just not nearly as powerful as I have heard even on MP3 (bleck, I hate even typing that, it's so lossy). Yet the rest of track is just as great and pleasant on the ears. Hmph. Funny how that works.

Maybe it's the virgin vinyl at play, or just how well this record was mastered and pressed, but all in all, despite the weird versions of the tracks, this record is awesome and worth every penny for awesome music enjoyment. Fellow audiophiles, you will not be disappointed! Huzzah!

The conclusion:

• Sound Quality: 4.75 out of 5.
• Mastering: 4.75 out of 5.
• Overall: 4.75 out of 5.

Link to Discogs.com listing here.

You can buy this vinyl record from Amazon.ca (2-LP) & Amazon.com.