Dire Straits vs the Police
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URL: http://www.progarchives.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=64163
Printed Date: May 07 2025 at 10:21
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Topic: Dire Straits vs the Police
Posted By: Icarium
Subject: Dire Straits vs the Police
Date Posted: January 06 2010 at 17:56
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they are two of the most popular british 70/80s bands, one new wave/post punk band and one blues/folk rock/Dylan esque band (i think Dire Straits have some folk elements), members of the Police have colaborated on a DS album. both are also in some way borderline art rock the Police have some art rock, avant garde and Jazz rock and Dire straits have some Crossover and Space rock (i think ) songs (there long songs have some Floyd influence) one band is considerably darker (DS) while both have political, social and often philosophical lyrics, both have their share of sofistication on their sond and well known for good album production (Syncronicity is probably one of the best sounding albums ever recoreded one pare with DSotM, Abbey Road, Aja and CotC and many Straits albums have good audio quality (just think of the track Privat Investigation) pick yore favourite 
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Replies:
Posted By: Zebedee
Date Posted: January 06 2010 at 18:16
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I've always liked Dire Straits more, but DS is really a case of hit or miss, for me at least. Knopfler was/is a hell of a guitarist too. The Police never really did anything for me (possibly due to the reggae influences) apart from a few songs and I prefer Sting's solo career over The Police. ------------- 
Friendship is like wetting your pants: everyone can see it, but only you can feel its warmth. |
Posted By: Icarium
Date Posted: January 06 2010 at 18:16
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yes I think i will wote for........................................................>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> THE POLICE even though Dire Straits was once my favourite band for like 7 years ago but as I grow older (I suppose) the Police sond more creative and more fun. but Straits is uniqe in their own rights, and have a bunch of terrific albums but I think Syncronicity is better then most of DS albums (just my simple opinion) |
Posted By: Icarium
Date Posted: January 06 2010 at 18:20
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my favourite police song (for the moment ) is Wrapped Around Your Finger, fantastic atmosphere and bass groove by Sting |
Posted By: Zebedee
Date Posted: January 06 2010 at 18:22
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My problem with Dire Straits is that even their best albums contain at least one song that I dislike. On the other hand, I find some The Police songs extremely annoying (like 'Every little thing she does is magic'). -------------
Friendship is like wetting your pants: everyone can see it, but only you can feel its warmth. |
Posted By: Moatilliatta
Date Posted: January 06 2010 at 18:23
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I don't like either band a lot, but I do enjoy more Police songs than Dire Straits songs. ------------- www.last.fm/user/ThisCenotaph  
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Posted By: SgtPepper67
Date Posted: January 06 2010 at 18:27
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I prefer the Police but I'm not very familiar with Dire Straits music, I've only heard a few songs wich I didn't care for, but I guess there might be more than that since a lot of people appreciate them.
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In the end the love you take is equal to the love you made... |
Posted By: Epignosis
Date Posted: January 06 2010 at 18:32
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I like both, but I see I am the only person who voted for Dire Straits as of now.
------------- https://epignosis.bandcamp.com/album/a-month-of-sundays" rel="nofollow - https://epignosis.bandcamp.com/album/a-month-of-sundays |
Posted By: Icarium
Date Posted: January 06 2010 at 18:32
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yes I'm usualy not wery found of reagge myself but i think the way the Police are fusing it with rock, jazz, pop and punk they are doing the oppesitt of what most people are disliking Reagge for in the first place (the unproggy attitude or conservative aproch to change of sound and beat). actualy i think the Police actualy are doing the healthy thing towards reagge (which my self is not a fan of eather exept some Bob Marley once in a while cant hurt) and I think the Police is more a Ska-punk band or evolved to one |
Posted By: Zebedee
Date Posted: January 06 2010 at 18:34
Yes i forgot to vote until now  -------------
Friendship is like wetting your pants: everyone can see it, but only you can feel its warmth. |
Epignosis wrote:Posted By: stonebeard
Date Posted: January 06 2010 at 18:37
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I wish I'd heard enough Dire Straights to vote against them The Police were seriously excellent. I'm not that big a fan of Outlandos D'Amour and I don't totally love Regatta de Blanc, but everything else is pure 80s pop gold. ------------- http://soundcloud.com/drewagler" rel="nofollow - My soundcloud. Please give feedback if you want! |
Posted By: Icarium
Date Posted: January 06 2010 at 18:41
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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0hJsyF7XDQo - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0hJsyF7XDQo this song is their best song |
Posted By: Zebedee
Date Posted: January 06 2010 at 18:41
I do agree that they were very creative with the genre, while improving it in many ways at the same time. Stil... I would have preferred them leaving out the reggae altogether. -------------
Friendship is like wetting your pants: everyone can see it, but only you can feel its warmth. |
Posted By: jammun
Date Posted: January 06 2010 at 19:11
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Dire Straits, by a wide margin. Police made a lot of nice reggae-influenced pop rock, nothing more, nothing less. ------------- Can you tell me where we're headin'? Lincoln County Road or Armageddon. |
Posted By: seventhsojourn
Date Posted: January 06 2010 at 19:20
| Dire Straits for me. Not a Sting fan... although I agree wholeheartedly with his comments on The X-Factor. |
Posted By: Any Colour You Like
Date Posted: January 06 2010 at 19:22
| Dire Straits by a fairly large margin. The Police are average at best, and I'm being kind. |
Posted By: Raff
Date Posted: January 06 2010 at 19:27
| I believe I am the first to vote for the 'both' options, since I love both bands, and own quite a few of their recordings. The Eighties may have been a bad decade for prog, but they surely were not for other kinds of music. |
Posted By: jammun
Date Posted: January 06 2010 at 19:43
 ------------- Can you tell me where we're headin'? Lincoln County Road or Armageddon. |
Posted By: Padraic
Date Posted: January 06 2010 at 19:55
| The Police, easily |
Posted By: Finnforest
Date Posted: January 06 2010 at 19:59
Yeah, same here Pat. The Police were pretty fun. DS are pretty much a snooze for me, even though I acknowledge they made a nice album or two. ------------- ...that moment you realize you like "Mob Rules" better than "Heaven and Hell" |
Posted By: memowakeman
Date Posted: January 06 2010 at 21:38
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Like some Dire Straits songs but that's it.
Like several Police albums, so here is my vote. ------------- Follow me on twitter @memowakeman |
Posted By: Slartibartfast
Date Posted: January 06 2010 at 23:38
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Hadn't explored Straits much. Unfortunately, the most prominent thing in my head is their pop stuff, but I I know Knopfler is respected for his musicianship as a guitarist. The Police however became known and enjoyable enough for me to get their latter albums as well as follow Sting and Summers into their post solo stuff. Not sure what Copeland went after there. Most familiar with him coming up from Curved Air and have two of those albums. I do think Straits is a similarly good band, but am totally unfamiliar and not interested in further exploration at the moment. ------------- Released date are often when it it impacted you but recorded dates are when it really happened... 
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Posted By: SaltyJon
Date Posted: January 06 2010 at 23:42
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As with others, I chose the Police. While I enjoyed some Dire Straits songs, it wasn't enough to get me to go out and buy their albums. Meanwhile, I now own most of the Police albums.
------------- http://www.last.fm/user/Salty_Jon" rel="nofollow"> 
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Posted By: TheGazzardian
Date Posted: January 07 2010 at 00:55
< ="utf-8">
If I remember correctly, he ended up writing video game music for Spyro the Dragon. For me, I have two DS albums and was never really able to penetrate them ... haven't listened to them in a while and don't remember anything other than the singles that a bought them for. I bought a few police albums as well, and while they didn't really blow me away as albums, they had a fair number of tracks that wouldn't be on a greatest hits collection I enjoyed (particularly, Canary in a Coalmine and Miss Gradenko). Synchronicity was my favorite album by them so far. So, The Police by a mid-sized margin. |
Posted By: Drew
Date Posted: January 07 2010 at 01:47
Straits
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Posted By: Matthew T
Date Posted: January 07 2010 at 01:58
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Same as Drew above ------------- Matt |
Posted By: Purple Sky
Date Posted: January 07 2010 at 09:40
| absolutely both. Straits are great and Police are too. I don't have a favorite one, but surely knopfler is a great guitarist! |
Posted By: Ivan_Melgar_M
Date Posted: January 07 2010 at 09:45
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Dire Straits, but only a matterof personal taste.
Iván ------------- 
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Posted By: Pekka
Date Posted: January 07 2010 at 11:20
I like the Police and I enjoy most of their songs that I've heard (I've got the Greatest Hits album and so far I haven't found myself needing more) but Straits is one of my dearest bands. Local Hero / Wild Theme live version from their Encores EP was a kind of a revelation for me at a time when I was mostly listening to metal and punk, and they became the first band I was crazy about who weren't armed with masses of distorted guitars. It was only three or four days ago when I last listened to Straits (Live at the BBC) and I still love them a lot  ------------- http://www.progarchives.com/album.asp?id=42652" rel="nofollow - It's on PA! 
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Posted By: The Doctor
Date Posted: January 07 2010 at 12:25
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The Police. One of my favorite non-prog bands, and I've never much cared for Dire Straits. While I think Knopfler is a great guitarist, I often thought their music had a sameness to it from one song to the next. ------------- I can understand your anger at me, but what did the horse I rode in on ever do to you? |
Posted By: Blacksword
Date Posted: January 07 2010 at 12:27
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The Police by a long way.
I think they were a more varied, versatile and interesting band. Knopfler was a god awful singer too, imo. ------------- Ultimately bored by endless ecstasy! |
Posted By: Zebedee
Date Posted: January 07 2010 at 16:15
Knopfler's monotone singing/sprechgesang/whatever you want to call it was what gave Dire Straits its charm, although his guitar was his true voice if you ask me. I like his timbre too. He's one of those rare cases of singers getting better as they get older, his voice has got a Cohen quality nowadays. -------------
Friendship is like wetting your pants: everyone can see it, but only you can feel its warmth. |
Posted By: snobb
Date Posted: January 07 2010 at 16:32
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Difficult question. The Police won, but not easy. :)
I like them both, but DS are more classic/nostalgy, and TP is more new and modern ( even if from the same time)
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Posted By: lazland
Date Posted: January 07 2010 at 16:42
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Strangely enough, I am listening to Brothers in Arms on Last FM now - the track, not the album, which, as ide from this gem, was very ordinary. However, the earlier albums were incredibly inventive and brave in the type of music played at a time when punk was supposedly riding roughshod over all else. They were a very good rock band, and The Police, to these ears, were an average new wave/pop band. Dire Straits it is. ------------- Enhance your life. Get down to www.lazland.org Now also broadcasting on www.progzilla.com Every Saturday, 4.00 p.m. UK time! |
Posted By: akamaisondufromage
Date Posted: January 07 2010 at 16:43
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Where's the neither button?
(not entirely true but more I dislike than like)
Hey ho!  ------------- Help me I'm falling! |
Posted By: Zebedee
Date Posted: January 07 2010 at 16:46
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This Brothers in Arms version was my introduction to DS and always gave me goosebumps (especially the solo). That guitar tone is just perfect. -------------
Friendship is like wetting your pants: everyone can see it, but only you can feel its warmth. |
Posted By: Tarquin Underspoon
Date Posted: January 07 2010 at 16:52
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Oh, I love The Police....at least compared to Dire Straits. I'm probably not well enough acquainted with them, but to me, Straits is just like country music presented in a different fashion. Granted, the Police are reggae presented in a different fashion, but it strikes a chord with me. As a matter of fact, perhaps my least favorite thing about the Police is just how they completely inspired half of Rush's 80s work. ------------- "WAAAAAAOOOOOUGH! WAAAAAAAUUUUGGHHHH!! WAAAAAOOOO!!!" -The Great Gig in the Sky |
Posted By: Bonnek
Date Posted: January 07 2010 at 20:16
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I dunno much Dire Straits except for the hits which annoy me. The actual album might be ok. Voted The Police as they are one of the best bands in rock history. |
Posted By: Blacksword
Date Posted: January 08 2010 at 03:27
I thought the Police had a good formula, quite progressive in that they fused styles; reggae/rock/pop, and yes they were a big influence on Rush in the early 80's. I read that Rush were quite excited about the whole New Wave movement. So much so, that Blondie supported them on the Hemispheres tour in the UK..NOT well recieved by Rush fans, by all accounts. They also used to have a lot of new wave music playing through the PA before they came on. I think Sting & co were also Rush fans. ------------- Ultimately bored by endless ecstasy! |
Posted By: Icarium
Date Posted: January 08 2010 at 08:34
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is it Eric Clapton on rythem guitar very good preformance, one word sublime, and the words Mark Knophler sings are so perfect one of the gratest lyracists in Rock on pare with Dylan, Springsteen Cat Stevans, Waters, Paul Simon and Roger Hodgson |
Posted By: Zebedee
Date Posted: January 08 2010 at 08:36
Yes it's Clapton on rhythm. He looks either humbled or shocked during the solo, maybe a combination of both  -------------
Friendship is like wetting your pants: everyone can see it, but only you can feel its warmth. |
Posted By: Icarium
Date Posted: January 08 2010 at 08:47
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^he shold be becouse few ( I mean very few) can match Mark Knophler when he is ON (and on that concert he was ON big time) but i sort of like the guitar solos on Sultans of Swing a tiny bit better and it is one of my favourit rock tracks, the groove on that song is verry cool. i also have a soft spot for Youre Latest Trick, Calling Elvis, On Every Street and Love Over Gold (album) By the way You should sheck out the Police songs Syncronicity 1 and 2 + Wrapped around your Finger |
Posted By: Zebedee
Date Posted: January 08 2010 at 10:35
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^ Sultans of Swing is a great song indeed and much, much better than the punk and disco stuff that reigned at the time. Telegraph Road is another favourite of mine, and the closest thing to prog they ever did. Private Investigations, Tunnel of Love, and Your Latest Trick are excellent as well. The live version of Once Upon a Time in the West on the Alchemy live disc is also superb (unlike the studio version). Btw, Jack Sonni's little dance at the start of this song made me crack up. -------------
Friendship is like wetting your pants: everyone can see it, but only you can feel its warmth. |
Posted By: tintedweed
Date Posted: January 08 2010 at 10:45
| Dire Straits.. primarily because of his also incredible guitar skills. |
Posted By: Pekka
Date Posted: January 08 2010 at 10:46
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^Ahh, the 80s, gotta love it That dance couldn't have been pulled off on any other decade. ------------- http://www.progarchives.com/album.asp?id=42652" rel="nofollow - It's on PA!
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Posted By: jammun
Date Posted: January 08 2010 at 23:03
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I realize we all have different tastes, but I don't know how someone could listen to that linked Brothers In Arms track and then vote for The Police. They are just not in the same league, and no I don't hate The Police, and yes I have Synchronicity. I listened to Roxanne and Sultans of Swing, on the radio at work every day for at least a month or two, so both of the bands were in my ears for several years. I suppose they were mining two different lodes back then, which will appeal to each listener differently. But to me there's no denying that the sheer epic grandeur of Brothers In Arms (the song) is far beyond anything The Police ever recorded. ------------- Can you tell me where we're headin'? Lincoln County Road or Armageddon. |
Posted By: Man With Hat
Date Posted: January 09 2010 at 14:29
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The Police.
Dire Straights is alright. But I find it hard to get through an entire album. ------------- Dig me...But don't...Bury me I'm running still, I shall until, one day, I hope that I'll arrive Warning: Listening to jazz excessively can cause a laxative effect. |
Posted By: Moogtron III
Date Posted: January 09 2010 at 15:18
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I never liked the Dire Straits a lot, though they made some nice songs, and Mark Knopfler is a terrific guitar player.
I love the Police, though.
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Posted By: Icarium
Date Posted: September 16 2010 at 02:15
REVIVAL  -------------  
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Posted By: Blacksword
Date Posted: September 16 2010 at 06:39
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I was listening to Love over Gold a few weeks back, for the first time in years. It's a pretty slick album, and Telegraph Road is a good song. But, overall as a band I just find them a bit dull. ------------- Ultimately bored by endless ecstasy! |
Posted By: Blacksword
Date Posted: September 16 2010 at 06:40
I have never managed to get the through the whole BIA album in one sitting. It's like pulling teeth, to me. ------------- Ultimately bored by endless ecstasy! |
Posted By: someone_else
Date Posted: September 16 2010 at 06:42
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I like both to a certain extent, but if I have to choose, Dire Straits wins by two, maybe three noselengths.
Love over Gold is a masterpiece, Brothers in Arms is a good album. ------------- 
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Posted By: crimhead
Date Posted: September 16 2010 at 23:55
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Both. Police for fun outgoing moments Dire Straits for thoughtful retrospective times. |
Posted By: thellama73
Date Posted: September 17 2010 at 00:01
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I like Dire Straits a lot. Mark Knopfler is one of my favorite guitarists. Not much of a Police fan.
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Posted By: Icarium
Date Posted: September 17 2010 at 07:52
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Syncronicity I and II are both marvelous songs, two of their best songs -------------
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Posted By: Matthew T
Date Posted: September 18 2010 at 00:27
Dire Straits for me. Faves are The first one (self titled).Making Movies and Brothers in Arms. Doo doo do dah dah dah is all i want to say to you Come on........even Twisting by the Pool had more depth  ------------- Matt |
Posted By: Chris S
Date Posted: September 18 2010 at 00:40
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Two totally different bands.....both ------------- ...As I venture through the slipstream, between the viaducts in your dreams...[/COLOR] |
Posted By: WalterDigsTunes
Date Posted: September 18 2010 at 00:42
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Let's see: the most inventive drummer of his generation, a jazzy guitarist that uses really weird chords along with awesome effects pedal, a bassist that sings without being awful like Geddy Lee and they mix awesome production, pop sensibilities and novel rhythms vs. a pub band with a good guitarist. Obvious choice is obvious. |
Posted By: Cristi
Date Posted: September 18 2010 at 16:11
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Dire Straits I like The Police, but a lot of their albums are too patchy/uneven for me.
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Posted By: richardh
Date Posted: September 19 2010 at 03:39
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Never really liked Dire Straits but The Police for me were one of the best bands to come out the new wave/punk thing. I'm also very fond of 3 peice bands and add to that Stewart Copeland was married to the lovely Sonja Kristina then I will have to put my vote their way
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Posted By: richardh
Date Posted: September 19 2010 at 03:40
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Posted By: Queen By-Tor
Date Posted: September 19 2010 at 11:58
| I like both, but of the two I prefer Dire Straits. Between their debut and "Making Movies" they are unbeatable. |
Posted By: himtroy
Date Posted: September 19 2010 at 12:00
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I'm not a massive fan of either. But damn, Mark Knophler.... Definitely Dire Straits, I always thought the Police were just really annoying. ------------- Which of you to gain me, tell, will risk uncertain pains of hell? I will not forgive you if you will not take the chance. |
Posted By: Icarium
Date Posted: November 30 2012 at 12:37
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bumpitum -------------
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Posted By: HolyMoly
Date Posted: November 30 2012 at 12:45
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There were a few years in the early 80s when the Police were my #1
favorite band. I still think all of their albums are excellent. Dire
Straits were great too, but I think a large number of their songs are
kind of boring, though at their best they were a top-rate band too.
Voted for ------------- My other avatar is a Porsche It is easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle if it is lightly greased. -Kehlog Albran |
Posted By: Neelus
Date Posted: November 30 2012 at 13:33
| I listened plenty to both in my past. Police for a happy mood, Straits when mellow. |
Posted By: irrelevant
Date Posted: November 30 2012 at 22:38
The Police for me, good band with some great songs. Dire Straits are ok but I hate some of the ballads, Romeo & Juliet especially.  ------------- https://gabebuller.bandcamp.com/" rel="nofollow - New album! http://www.progarchives.com/artist.asp?id=7385" rel="nofollow - http://www.progarchives.com/artist.asp?id=7385 |
Posted By: Tom Ozric
Date Posted: December 01 2012 at 00:58
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The Police !!! Just listen to Masoko Tanga from their debut - complex, worldy-reggae-ska - unique. And I always love Walking on the Moon (beautifully atmospheric), Behind My Camel, Tea In The Sahara etc. If the band 'Japan' is here at P.A., why not The Police (pobably too commercial in general...)?? Andy Summers has a long background in Prog (he was in Soft Machine for a little while, working with Fripp, Jon Lord etc.), Sting has been around the traps with some Prog-Electronic artist I don't recall right now, and Stuart Copeland with Curved Air (he was with Sonja Kristina for years) and they are all excellent musicians on their respective instruments. Only Knopfler was of note in Dire Straits, sure their songs are long, epic and atmospheric, but a little simplistic for my liking. Having said that, my first ever Rock concert was DS during their 'Brothers In Arms' tour (1986). |
Posted By: Icarium
Date Posted: December 01 2012 at 02:03
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Tony Levin plays some bass/or chapman stick on Brothers of Arms (album), i dont know what song,
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