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!


Absolutely Beautiful!   May 25, 2005
George M. (Vancouver Island)
6 out of 6 found this review helpful

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!





A solid second effort   November 8, 2005
Mr. N. Wright (UK)
5 out of 5 found this review helpful

This second album from Dire Straits is excellent - and quickly grows on you. Sure, there are none of the classic tracks that we all grew to know and love, and also provoked inferior comparison with the group's debut (which is as good an album). The 9 selections here are totally listenable, top quality songs with no duds worth skipping and MK's storytelling lyrics prevail throughout. It has a very laidback feel to it like the first album does, but also a 'summery' tropical feel, possibly due to its recording location.

'Lady Writer' was probably the candidate for a single if there ever was one. Other tracks worthy of mention include the opener 'Once Upon A Time in the West', 'Portobello Belle', 'Single Handed Sailor' and the superb closing brooder 'Follow Me Home'.


Underrated and a must have...   April 6, 2004
4 out of 4 found this review helpful

'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.


Melancholic and realistic at the same time   May 31, 2000
6 out of 7 found this review helpful

This album takes a step forward from the Sultans of Swing album. Their previous effort, but this one is closer to the heart and the soul of its creator: M.Knoffler. From "Once upon a time in the West" to the more mellow:"News" and "Where you think you're going". This gay really delivers us a great combination of poetry and virtuosity on the guitar; besides, considering the kind of musical junk that we had most of the time back on 1979, its amazing that he came out we something like this, although I've got to tell you: He even did better on his master piece album:"Love over gold". Anyway, "Comunique" is a really nice star.