Dire Straits

Dire Straits crashed the punk and disco parties with a debut album blending blues twang and pub-rock grunt. Their calling card here is “Sultans of Swing,” almost six minutes of a beguiling shuffle beat, with Mark Knopfler singing the praises of an underappreciated band and answering himself with lyrical guitar riffs that cry and sing. The band marry slinkiness and swampiness to electric effect, while “Water of Love” and “Wild West End” showcase acoustic guitars that strum and sigh.

As heard on this 6xLP box set, the UK classic rockers were artier than their reputation suggests, with a subdued sense of adventure that propelled the group throughout its career.