September 2010 - Dire Straits - Communiqué

So here goes, my first blogpost. In September of 2010 I moved away to University, met so many new people and was afforded exposure to so many new musicians and songs, and that's why I've decided to use this as my starting point. Around this time, my music collection consisted pretty much entirely of electric guitar solos - I probably wouldn't regard a song as 'good' unless it had a guitar solo in. Over the years my tastes have changed so much and I've found so many new and wonderful artists that never lay a finger on the electric guitar, but at this point those feelings still held true. This album was probably the first to bring me close to those I lived with, and so it's fitting to feature it first.

I knew about Dire Straits before moving to University, they're probably my dad's favourite band. I didn't, however, have Communiqué, and it was only when I discovered that my flatmate, soon to be good buddy also called Tom, had a mutual interest in the band that we thought to get some more of the Knopfler brothers. Communiqué is the first album in a long, long list that together we came to love. My exploration into music went hand in hand with my exploration into the world of beer, and staying in of an evening trying and tasting some ales, and then some more, and then a few more was regularly accompanied by Communiqué on the speakers.

Communiqué was originally released in 1979, apparently recorded in the Bahamas, and is the second Dire Straits album.

Listening back to it now, I'm reminded of those early days and weeks getting to know those I lived with. 'Lady Writer' was always, whether or not the majority wanted to hear it, the last song played before getting in the taxi to head out to a club. Not a usual choice for pre-drinks I concede, but we loved it. It was probably the first song on when we arrived home, too, but I don't remember that part so well. 'Angel of Mercy' is another of my favourites, and it's a more relaxed, gentle song than some others on the album. Within a few days of owning Communiqué, I knew every word of every song. It was constantly playing through my headphones as I explored living in a new city, and it's definitely the first album I was hooked on at University. The memories this album brings back for me are fond ones, reminding me of a time when I honestly didn't feel as though I had a care in the world.