Dire Straits

Stripped down, direct, and cooler than a Roaring Forties breeze, Dire Straits emerged from the unpretentious UK pub-rock scene of the late '70s to become one of the defining arena rock acts of the '80s. Their sound remains mature and perfectly crafted, from the driving "Sultans of Swing" to the landmark "Money For Nothing."

On the one hand, Dire Straits are masters of laid-back blues rock, played tighter than a pair of spandex jockeys; on the other, they have the skills to flow with their muse in a way that can be called progressive without ever feeling overblown. Five-track album Love Over Gold showcases their drawn-out, experimental leanings.

Low key, thinking-man's blues rock gets no better than it does on Dire Straits' self-titled 1978 debut LP - a hypnotic, addictive master class in rhythm and pace. Frontman Mark Knopfler, who cut his teeth on the Northern pub circuit, takes his delivery from the spirit of JJ Cale (laconic cool) and Bob Dylan (lyrical colour).

Dire Straits always looked nothing less than atrocious - lead singer/guitarist Mark Knopfler perfected that signature balding-man-in-a-towel-headband look - so they let the music take centre stage. Quality permeates every track on our playlist like pub smoke on a damp cardigan, from the ultrasteady bluesy rock of their early work, to the outstanding soundtrack cuts ("Going Home" from Local Hero), and era-defining monster tracks like "Brothers In Arms" (used to ideal effect in an episode of Miami Vice).