Popular music with great sound production?

[Mike]

ok, when i posted this i was in the middle of listening to "Pretzel Logic" and i was enjoying it immensely. this thread mustve caught me in an unguarded moment because the above post is me talking out my ass. as good as "Pretzel Logic" sounds, it doesnt hold a candle to "Aja" or "Gaucho" in terms of production quality. the same can be said for all Steely Dan albums pre "Aja".

As much as I like Aja and Gaucho the one for me for sound production is the overlooked Royal Scam, love that fantastic drum/bass sound on Haitian Divorce and Kid Charlamagne.

For 'popular' albums with good sound here's a few that spring to mind.

Crowded House - Woodface, produced by Mitchell Froom who is not one of my fave producers but on this album he generally leaves the studio effects alone and concentrates on working with the engineers to capture a lovely warm sound. Mastered by Bob Ludwig as most good pop/rock albums are.

Joan Armatrading - To The limit, produced and engineered by Glyn Johns this one is really good, it's one of the most analog recordings you can hear on CD with some deep deep bass.

Dada - Puzzle, produced by Ken Scott and for a modern uncompressed pop rock recording it's pretty good.

Pearl Jam - Rearview Mirror, a 2 disc greatrest hits compilation I think covers 10 years. One disc loud and proud the other quiter more acoustic. The acoustic album does it for me but overall both albums show the care they put into their recordings. It's rock so expect that punchy slightly compressed sound but has a nice deep soundstage and plenty of width.

Lyle Lovett - Road to Ensenada, another artist who produces quality output and doesn't appear to like an overly compressed sound.

Whiskeytown - Pneumonia, engineered and produced by Ethan Johns (son of Glyn) it has a good open sound and is not overly compressed.

Cheers
Mike

[jim goulding]

I know that's right! Glyn Johns, Mitchell Froom and Ken Scott are some of the most dependable cats out there. It always adds to my excitement when I know a good producer or sound engineer is involved. Bob Clearmountain, for example. Rough Mix featuring Pete Townsend and Ronnie Lane produced by Glyn Johns on Classic records is outstanding in sound quality. Steve Hoffman is.a master of the sound board but we have to pay a premium for Classic stuff. Froom produces Suzanne Vega along with Tchad Blake and I think they do Los Lobos, too.

[PeruvianSkies]

Depeche Mode's EXCITER has some really great stereo movement to it. I also liked the sound on Madonna's GREATEST HITS and RAY OF LIGHT.

[jim goulding]

Yeah. I agree. Production is a requirement for the b****. My beef with her is that I'm better lookin than Dennis Rodman, work harder, and yet I didn't get the p****. Life isn't fair. But, I gotta admit, I didn't send her flowers either. Add Bedtime Stories to the list.

[Demetrio]

Up, up, up....

Lots of great suggestions here!!!

Cheers,
Demetrio.

[Swish]

Up, up, up....

Lots of great suggestions here!!!

Cheers,
Demetrio.

And revival of an old thread? Hmmm.