Dire Straits – On Every Street (2xLP)

The LP came out a full six years and four months after their record-breaking multi-million seller of 1985, Brothers In Arms, and was followed by an exhaustive world tour. It was this gruelling itinerary that made Mark Knopfler realise once and for all that the world of stadium shows, huge arenas and massive touring entourages and gear was no longer the one he wanted to live in.

As we know, Dire Straits never made an official statement announcing their split, but a strong hint had come with his 1990 splinter group, the Notting Hillbillies, and their album Missing...Presumed Having A Good Time. In 1995, Knopfler devoted himself to his work outside of Dire Straits, finally releasing his first solo studio album, Golden Heart, a year later, not based on a soundtrack

On Every Street doesn't match any fan's idea of the perfect final chapter in Straits history. But it did produce a number of memorable songs, most notably the lead single "Calling Elvis," one of many demonstrations of Mark's always nimble rock guitar lead lines. Three more singles from the album followed with the characteristically rocking "Heavy Fuel," the pensive title track, and the rock 'n' roll-heavy "The Bug." Other lesser-known gems include the understated "Fade To Black" and "You And Your Friend."

The album debuted at #1 on the UK charts the week before its US release, replacing Paul Young's collection of singles From Time To Time at the top. The Dire Straits album spent a further four weeks in the UK Top 10 and a total of 27 in its first run on the chart, eventually growing to a total of 36. Just ten days after its debut in the band's home country, the album went double platinum there. In the States, it climbed to #12 and became another million-seller in Dire Straits history.