While some may question if five songs can be considered an album, there is no doubt that Love Over Gold, Dire Straits’ fourth studio album from 1982, is a quintessential album experience. While each of the five songs stand out on their own, when you listen actively, to the intended album structure, you’ll encounter a rich and rewarding experience that will have you coming back to this incredible release.
Exploring longer and more intricate compositions than ever before, Love Over Gold was arguably less commercial in its intent than their previous releases. While that could be seen as a missed opportunity, the artistic depth and musical sophistication of the album ensures that it’s timeless and remains an essential element in Dire Straits’ back catalogue. With complex arrangements, extended instrumental passages, and a greater emphasis on atmospheric elements, Love Over Gold is every bit a Dire Straits record but more importantly, it is an experience that has to be heard firsthand in order to be fully appreciated. While the music scene in 1982 was the launching pad for some of the greatest 80s releases, it’s fair to say that Love Over Gold was somewhat lost in the crowd for it truly is one of the greatest albums ever recorded; particularly within the progressive and art rock genres. Yes, it charted and sold respectfully, but it never quite reached the heights that an album of this calibre should have.
Nevertheless, when looking at masterpiece releases, it isn’t uncommon to note that the artist had a guiding hand from an experienced producer to achieve the very best possible outcome. While that had previously been the case with Dire Straits’ earlier releases, Mark Knopfler showcased his vision by not only writing all the songs but also acting as the sole producer for Love Over Gold. Quite frankly, the man is a musical marvel and while I don’t find his post-Straits output to be as compelling, albums with the spit and polish of Love Over Gold usually only come once in a career. Yet, Dire Straits’ catalogue is remarkably impressive from their self-titled debut in 1978 to their final studio release in 1991.
Speaking of the impeccable production quality, the lossless Apple Music stream is derived from the core 1996 CD remaster and while I’ve heard some declare these remastered editions to be somewhat lifeless, I thoroughly enjoy them. Granted, when it comes to this album I haven’t compared this mastering to any other, but perhaps that is a good thing. At some stage, even the most ardent of fans need to just rock out and thoroughly enjoy the version of the album that they have access to rather than continually trying to seek out a better copy. Yes, the stream could be a little smoother, in places, but I wouldn’t call it shrill; not by any stretch of the imagination. It just needs a little more fluidity to take it a few percent closer to absolute perfection.
Nevertheless, I couldn’t be happier with the stream for every musical element is given room to breathe in an expansive soundstage that has plenty of headroom available to pump the volume while also adjusting the EQ without adding degradation to the album’s overall presentation. While I tend to enjoy Love Over Gold, when listened to with no added EQ, the aforementioned smoothness could be achieved with minor manual adjustments to the EQ settings. It’s just a shame that modern EQ options, particularly in the case of Apple Music, apply an all-or-nothing approach and unless you’re on a Mac, you’ll find there are no manual EQ settings available to adjust; a major oversight, certainly! That all said, join me as we explore the music that makes up this essential album from Dire Straits’ illustrious career.
Telegraph Road is an epic 14-minute musical wonder that serves as the perfect opener for Love Over Gold as it sets the tone for that which we’re about to hear. If you haven’t already, you’ll want to turn the volume up for the initial moments, before the building of the song, are simply magical and the increased volume will only enhance the experience as the song unfolds gradually. It really is a musical journey that showcases Knopfler's storytelling capabilities and the band's ability to build tension and release it with masterful precision.
Private Investigations is akin to a broody, noir-like tune with elements of classical and folk music that further highlights Knopfler’s virtuosity as a songwriter and musician. It’s a beautiful song that has a cinematic quality that will leave you in awe every time you listen to what can only be described as a masterpiece. Plus, that bass-driven rhythm is hypnotic.
Industrial Disease is a departure from the album's overall intensity, yet don’t let that aspect deter you for it flows seamlessly when listening via the album structure. Featuring witty lyrics and a more upbeat musical arrangement, Industrial Disease is classic Dire Straits as it’s a commentary on modern society backed by some addictively good rock and roll licks.
Love Over Gold is a magnificent title track that can be best described as Jazz rock; albeit with a slightly bolder rock edge. While the entire album is an incredible audible journey, the mix of this particular song is stunning. The stereo imaging alone is so expansive you’d swear it was a surround mix, yet it is just stereo done right.
It Never Rains with its more upbeat, rock-oriented sound, serves as the perfect closing bookend to an album that is not only one of the greatest ever recorded by Dire Straits but is amongst the greatest albums ever released. It Never Rains, however, is the weakest song on the album but given the quality of the music that preceded it, it is more than acceptable and is, arguably, more closely aligned with the overall style of Dire Straits’ prior releases. Either way, as an album-only tune, It Never Rains is thoroughly enjoyable.
Love Over Gold stands as a bold and ambitious statement in Dire Straits' discography. It's an album that rewards attentive listening, offering a rich tapestry of sound and thought-provoking lyrics. While it may not have been as well received, commercially, as some of their other works, its artistic depth and musical sophistication make it a timeless and essential part of the Dire Straits catalogue as well as the 80s music scene.