Review Summary: Under-appreciated masterpiece
Love Over Gold is the fourth studio album by British rock band Dire Straits released in 1982. The album was very popular in the UK but nothing compared to the success of Brothers In Arms (1985). However, success and popularity is unimportant when discussing the brilliance of Love Over Gold. I will not exaggerate one thing in this review. Love Over Gold is a 5-track, 40 minute masterpiece constructed by Mark Knopfler.
Dire Straits were quite a successful band in the 80s. Especially with the release of Brothers In Arms. Unfortunately nowadays people may find this album in an old box taking refuge in the basement and say “Ha! Whatever happened to these guys?” and swiftly toss it in the trash. Thankfully, Love Over Gold was not the seller that its successor was. People who actually listened to this one may find it and say “Oh wow. What a great album this was!” or “I wish I still had my turn table…”
The songs that make up this album are Telegraph Road, Private Investigations, Industrial Disease, Love Over Gold, and It Never Rains. The first thing I would like to address about this album is its replay value. It is easily one of the albums I would have with on an island. When I first got into Dire Straits I was listening to Making Movies; I had not realized the beauty of Love Over Gold just yet. But when I did, I was in heaven. 40 minutes a day were occupied by the uninterrupted listening of its rock artistry. Mark Knopfler does not receive enough credit for all the work he did with Dire Straits nor the phenomenal guitarist he is. When you listen to Love Over Gold you realize Mark was not just another 80s pop artist. He was a serious rock writer and guitar master.
Love Over Gold does not follow one main theme. Each song is different with various topics and sounds giving the album a fabulous diversity. Track 4, which is the title track, begins with beautiful acoustic guitar picks accompanied by the piano which holds the song together. Mark talks about a careless lover who seems to be very charismatic as he/she “throws their love to all the strangers.” What this person is unaware of is the actual dangers and the consequences being so careless and free can have. As the song goes on Mark explains, “It takes lover over gold and mind over matter/To do what you do that you must/When the things that you hold can fall and be shattered/Or run through your fingers like dust.” Top notch writing on this track, just poetry.
On the other hand there is Telegraph Road, the opener to this album. And man, what an opener it is. Having a run time of 14:23 those who knew Dire Straits back in the 80s may have been challenged by this song as it stretches the focus time of an average pop-rock listener. Mark talks about the building of civilization and how hard people work to keep a stable community. The song starts with the sound of a high synth which plays throughout the song. At first there is only piano and acoustic guitar, but as mark continues with the story the music picks up. This is a very epic song of hope for a new future and then losing it all in the end. There are mini guitar solos in between verses that are just absolutely perfect. As Mark nears the end of the song he showcases some of his best lyricism stating, “But believe in me, baby, and I'll take you away/From out of this darkness and into the day/From these rivers of headlights, these rivers of rain/From the anger that lives on the streets with these names/'Cause I've run every red light on memory lane/I've seen desperation explode into flames/And I don't want to see it again.” Then he finishes the lyrical part of the song stating how hard working has become and keeping a job has been. He states that stores are beginning to close and go out of business just like how things are today. The brilliance here is that this was written 30+ years ago when things weren’t as hard and before Detroit was completely bankrupt. And now as we reach the end of the song it doesn’t just finish, Mark delivers one of the GREATEST guitar solos of all time. Something that is so epic and incredible it could bring tears to a new listeners eyes. The skill that Mark displays is mind-blowing. Once you listen, you will appreciate Knopfler much more as a guitarist.
Throughout the entire album maybe the only song that could’ve been better is Industrial disease which has a signature 80s sound. It is one of the most upbeat songs on the album with entertaining lyrics about struggles of work and how working for so long can drive people nuts. He explains this in a very funny way with clever lyrics. It is in no way a weak song but it is the weakest link on the album. The two other songs are Private Investigations and It Never Rains. Investigations being the hit single off the album holds a respectable run time of 6:22 and is also a great listen. It Never Rains on the other hand, being the closer on the album, is a great way to go out. Mark provides us with a 3 minute solo that leaves us more than satisfied. The music and guitar at the end (IMO) gives a sense that Dire Straits as a band and Mark Knopfler himself are nowhere near finished even though the album is ending. Then of course 3 years later Brothers In Arms came out.
In the end, Love Over Gold is the best Dire Straits ever had to offer. From Knopfler’s outstanding guitar solos to the lyricism and storytelling. It hides in the shadow of the praised Brothers In Arms. But for any blues-rock lover this can be considered a gem and a classic of the 80s. The meaning behind Love Over Gold is explained in Telegraph Road. He talks about his girl giving him the cold shoulder after they lose their money. But recall what he says in the title track…”It takes love over gold and mind over matter…when the things that you hold can fall and be shattered, or run through your fingers like dust.”
Money is temporary. Love can last a lifetime.
5/5 *CLASSIC*
