Didn't see much listed up there that I didn't expect to see listed (definitely a nod to the Tom Waits, I don't expect to see him listed anywhere despite my belief that he's a national treasure), so I'll toss in a couple off the beaten path:
Jack Johnson - Sleep Through the Static: It's recorded pretty unapologetically, which means humming amps, distant guitars and echo that tells you a bit about the studio itself. Gladly, the techs didn't get overzealous about it and left all the warmth and depth intact. You might hate Jack, but it's nice to see a modern mainstream album that isn't crammed in to the top 10% of the volume at all ranges, or worse, brickwalled and clipped.
Slightly Stoopid - Everything You Need: I found this album charming when I heard it through crappy earbuds, same in the car, and then when I listened to it through some real gear I could no longer listen to it any other way. It just has beautiful layering that requires good detail to separate.
Keb' Mo' - self titled': Just simple clean bluesy recording. Feels pretty untouched.
Bon Iver - For Emma, Forever Ago: I don't know a thing about this album or who put it together, but it's a bit unconventional. It's recorded as perfectly crisp and clean in some places as anything could be, and flattened out to mud in others. If it's your thing you can find some gold in there.
Ani Difranco - Revelling/Reckoning: Very acoustic, very simple, mostly raw. Sounds like she do in real life.
Can you guys recommend other albums that were recorded with such quality?
