well recorded albums
Discussion
I’m a bit of a hi-fi anorak and although I try not to the actual quality of a recording can influence what I listen to. A well recorded CD will keep my attention where I will get bored with a naff flat recording and I’ll drift off and read a book or something.
So, what out there do you consider to be particularly well recorded?
Bizarrely one of the better recordings on my system this year (audiolab, cyrus and B&W) is the Kate Nash album (produced by the same guy as Bloc Party). I know that many of you would criticise the music, but for me the recording is breathy, layered and dynamic. Great sound staging, simply it sounds great.
Obviously Radiohead in rainbows is also amazing with soundstaging and layering that makes me feel almost dizzy when listening to it. The midrange just reaches out and taps me between the eyes, amazing.
Tom Yorke The Eraser is a lively recording.
Feist, nice
The field – here we go sublime, punchy
Burial, so punchy it hurts my kidneys
Any recommendations for albums this year? Anybody got the Hot Chip album? Is it well recorded? Arcade fire? The Good the bad the queen?
Disappointments for me were the KT Tunstall and Amy Winehouse albums. The faster tracks on the KT Tunstall album seem flat 2D to me.
So, what out there do you consider to be particularly well recorded?
Bizarrely one of the better recordings on my system this year (audiolab, cyrus and B&W) is the Kate Nash album (produced by the same guy as Bloc Party). I know that many of you would criticise the music, but for me the recording is breathy, layered and dynamic. Great sound staging, simply it sounds great.
Obviously Radiohead in rainbows is also amazing with soundstaging and layering that makes me feel almost dizzy when listening to it. The midrange just reaches out and taps me between the eyes, amazing.
Tom Yorke The Eraser is a lively recording.
Feist, nice
The field – here we go sublime, punchy
Burial, so punchy it hurts my kidneys
Any recommendations for albums this year? Anybody got the Hot Chip album? Is it well recorded? Arcade fire? The Good the bad the queen?
Disappointments for me were the KT Tunstall and Amy Winehouse albums. The faster tracks on the KT Tunstall album seem flat 2D to me.
If I can tempt you with '50s/'60s jazz, look for anything with the "Rudy van Gelder Edition" sticker. van Gelder's Hackensack studio was a Mecca for East Coast jazz (not bad, as he was actually a dentist, and built his forst studio in his parent's house). RvG Editions have been remastered by him, and he doesn't mess about.
Also, Miles Davis reissues, but specifically those with the silver "75th Anniversary" sticker. Painstakingly researched & remastered.
Also, Miles Davis reissues, but specifically those with the silver "75th Anniversary" sticker. Painstakingly researched & remastered.
Rob Smith7 said:
I’m a bit of a hi-fi anorak and although I try not to the actual quality of a recording can influence what I listen to. A well recorded CD will keep my attention where I will get bored with a naff flat recording and I’ll drift off and read a book or something.
So, what out there do you consider to be particularly well recorded?
Bizarrely one of the better recordings on my system this year (audiolab, cyrus and B&W) is the Kate Nash album (produced by the same guy as Bloc Party). I know that many of you would criticise the music, but for me the recording is breathy, layered and dynamic. Great sound staging, simply it sounds great.
Obviously Radiohead in rainbows is also amazing with soundstaging and layering that makes me feel almost dizzy when listening to it. The midrange just reaches out and taps me between the eyes, amazing.
Tom Yorke The Eraser is a lively recording.
Feist, nice
The field – here we go sublime, punchy
Burial, so punchy it hurts my kidneys
Any recommendations for albums this year? Anybody got the Hot Chip album? Is it well recorded? Arcade fire? The Good the bad the queen?
Disappointments for me were the KT Tunstall and Amy Winehouse albums. The faster tracks on the KT Tunstall album seem flat 2D to me.
Nice system!So, what out there do you consider to be particularly well recorded?
Bizarrely one of the better recordings on my system this year (audiolab, cyrus and B&W) is the Kate Nash album (produced by the same guy as Bloc Party). I know that many of you would criticise the music, but for me the recording is breathy, layered and dynamic. Great sound staging, simply it sounds great.
Obviously Radiohead in rainbows is also amazing with soundstaging and layering that makes me feel almost dizzy when listening to it. The midrange just reaches out and taps me between the eyes, amazing.
Tom Yorke The Eraser is a lively recording.
Feist, nice
The field – here we go sublime, punchy
Burial, so punchy it hurts my kidneys
Any recommendations for albums this year? Anybody got the Hot Chip album? Is it well recorded? Arcade fire? The Good the bad the queen?
Disappointments for me were the KT Tunstall and Amy Winehouse albums. The faster tracks on the KT Tunstall album seem flat 2D to me.
Which B&Ws do you have? 803's, 804's?
I shall go through my collection tonight and pick out my ultimates...
These are worth listening to as reference even if you don't like the music.
satch said:
I always thought the production on Hysteria by Def Leppard was amazing through a good amp and good cans.
Mutt Lange produced it within an inch of its life, squeezing every ounce out of the band.
not a duff track on the album either, even if some of 'em got played to death on the radio
Didn't they initially choose Jim Steinman as producer, but got rid of him afetr a while for some reason or another? Just as well they did, because i agree with you, it is a well produced album (even if a bit over produced for genre IMHO)Mutt Lange produced it within an inch of its life, squeezing every ounce out of the band.
not a duff track on the album either, even if some of 'em got played to death on the radio
gbbird said:
satch said:
I always thought the production on Hysteria by Def Leppard was amazing through a good amp and good cans.
Mutt Lange produced it within an inch of its life, squeezing every ounce out of the band.
not a duff track on the album either, even if some of 'em got played to death on the radio
Didn't they initially choose Jim Steinman as producer, but got rid of him afetr a while for some reason or another? Just as well they did, because i agree with you, it is a well produced album (even if a bit over produced for genre IMHO)Mutt Lange produced it within an inch of its life, squeezing every ounce out of the band.
not a duff track on the album either, even if some of 'em got played to death on the radio
I think he was 'hot' at the time though, and the best that they could get that was available. Kind of like Keegan getting the job at Newcastle again...
In my humble opinion, these are the albums I think the 'best' engineered.
In saying 'best' I qualify this by saying these are albums which are not only engineered in a way which lets the song/artist/music be transferred superbly to your living room, but even to the length that the engineering is to a standard that it actually physically and tangibly adds to the enjoyment in listening to it.
Here's my ultimates:
Michael Jackson, History (A compilation, but any of the albums of that period)
Babyface, The Day
Shawn Colvin, A Few Small Repairs
The Goo Goo Dolls, Dizzy Up the Girl
Sarah McLachlan, Surfacing
Seal, Seal (2nd Album)
Also worth listening to but not quite in the ultimate category:
John Mayer (Any of his first 3 albums)
The Push Stars, After the Party
Rolling Stones, Voodoo Lounge
And these, which are older tracks, and by todays standards mastered very quietly, but the engineering totally catches the raw emotion of the tracks and transmits it purely to shivers down your spine:
Prince, Sign of the Times
Fleetwood Mac, Rumours
Bruce Springstein, Born in the USA
In saying 'best' I qualify this by saying these are albums which are not only engineered in a way which lets the song/artist/music be transferred superbly to your living room, but even to the length that the engineering is to a standard that it actually physically and tangibly adds to the enjoyment in listening to it.
Here's my ultimates:
Michael Jackson, History (A compilation, but any of the albums of that period)
Babyface, The Day
Shawn Colvin, A Few Small Repairs
The Goo Goo Dolls, Dizzy Up the Girl
Sarah McLachlan, Surfacing
Seal, Seal (2nd Album)
Also worth listening to but not quite in the ultimate category:
John Mayer (Any of his first 3 albums)
The Push Stars, After the Party
Rolling Stones, Voodoo Lounge
And these, which are older tracks, and by todays standards mastered very quietly, but the engineering totally catches the raw emotion of the tracks and transmits it purely to shivers down your spine:
Prince, Sign of the Times
Fleetwood Mac, Rumours
Bruce Springstein, Born in the USA
If you've got a vinyl front end try getting hold of this http://www.amazon.co.uk/Todd-Rundgren/dp/B0000032W... on any half decent system turned up to a suitable volume it will sound very impressive.
gbbird said:
satch said:
I always thought the production on Hysteria by Def Leppard was amazing through a good amp and good cans.
Mutt Lange produced it within an inch of its life, squeezing every ounce out of the band.
not a duff track on the album either, even if some of 'em got played to death on the radio
Didn't they initially choose Jim Steinman as producer, but got rid of him afetr a while for some reason or another? Just as well they did, because i agree with you, it is a well produced album (even if a bit over produced for genre IMHO)Mutt Lange produced it within an inch of its life, squeezing every ounce out of the band.
not a duff track on the album either, even if some of 'em got played to death on the radio
Not that I'm complaining, Hysteria is probably the best album they've done IMHO.
Edited by LivinLaVidaLotus on Thursday 21st February 10:27
Interestingly, an album that I find is produced beautifully (even though it has some obvious 'flaws') is either of the Damien Rice albums.
Some bass notes are far too 'boomy' and you can hear movement in the recordings, but in terms of involving the listener and the warmth it has it's gorgeous. 'Raw' done exceptionally well.
Some bass notes are far too 'boomy' and you can hear movement in the recordings, but in terms of involving the listener and the warmth it has it's gorgeous. 'Raw' done exceptionally well.
Alfahorn said:
Darkside of the Moon - Pink Floyd
Possible the best studio album ever recorded.
Ditto, the remastered version of this is superb. As with "Wish you were here"Possible the best studio album ever recorded.
Jam & Spooon - Tripomatic Fairy tales 2001. A dance/chill out/trip out album but some amazing sounds on there that wrap all over you and tickle your spine with a decent setup. Or was just what i was smoking???
David1975 said:
Alfahorn said:
Darkside of the Moon - Pink Floyd
Possible the best studio album ever recorded.
Ditto, the remastered version of this is superb. As with "Wish you were here"
I'm not denying that these are fab albums and they sound great. but isnt something like the new radiohead album far more alive and 'deeper' sound? in rainbows on my system is truly 3 dimensional and i just sit there picking out sounds in the room. so hard to describe..... Possible the best studio album ever recorded.
Ditto, the remastered version of this is superb. As with "Wish you were here"
Rob Smith7 said:
David1975 said:
Alfahorn said:
Darkside of the Moon - Pink Floyd
Possible the best studio album ever recorded.
Ditto, the remastered version of this is superb. As with "Wish you were here"
I'm not denying that these are fab albums and they sound great. but isnt something like the new radiohead album far more alive and 'deeper' sound? in rainbows on my system is truly 3 dimensional and i just sit there picking out sounds in the room. so hard to describe..... Possible the best studio album ever recorded.
Ditto, the remastered version of this is superb. As with "Wish you were here"
Rob Smith7 said:
central said:
Talk Talk "Colour of Spring"
Orbital "In Sides"
I cannot fault your choice here. Funny how eventhough I liked Talk Talk in the 80's I never quite realised just how truly great they were. Mark Hollis solo album is good too. Orbital "In Sides"
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