[ianmichaeld]

This is kind of hard to find... but lots of fun if you like electronic production. It's a french psychedelic opera from the 60's remixed by electronic artists in about '96.
Metamorphose-Pierre Henry and Michel Columbier.

 

[skullguise]

Off the top of my head:

Alison Kraus & Union Station - Live (SACD even better)

Eleanor McEvoy - Yola (also SACD)

Ani Difranco - Up Up Up Up Up

Coil - Love's Secret Domain (not the greatest, some extra treble energy; but some wild mixes)

Loreena McKennitt - An Ancient Muse

 

[Zenja]

I'm listening to Kraftwork - Minimum Maximum right now and it sounds excellent.

The earlier Metallica albums, BT - This Binary Universe, Dire Straits, and Tool - Aenima sound really good too. I also really liked some movie soundtracks, like Lord Of The Rings and Gladiator.

 

[PsychoZX]

Quote:

Originally Posted by mrdeadfolx /img/forum/go_quote.gif I agree. I mentioned 10,000 Days use an example (1 of many) for a lossless/lossy comparison, and people flamed me saying it was a terrible sounding recording, I didn't get it.

Listen to Ænima then listen to 10000 days again. You'll understand what people are talking about. 10000 days is a highly compressed album loaded with clipping and distortion.

 

[Masonjar]

Quote:

Originally Posted by raif /img/forum/go_quote.gif Without a doubt, has to be Paul Simon's Graceland. Not a hint of distortion on any passage throughout the disc, and the clarity on each instrument is astounding. The dynamics are incredibly varied throughout the disc due to the low base level it is mastered at. Also, it is the only album I have listened to that even during the most complex of passages, I can focus in and hear each part individually. It is great because every musical presence is it's own voice that you can hear individually or allow to meld into the larger context of the piece. Plus, who doesn't love listening to Ladysmith Black Mambazo.

GRACELAND was one of the albums that pulled me away from the almost strictly metal diet I was on. I was starting to become something of an audio enthusiast and this one sounded great on my somewheat meager system. I remember I checked out the vinyl from the library, and bought a "metal" cassette just to record it.. I believe I put Los Lobos HOW WILL THE WOLF SURVIVE? on the other side..

Man, I have to say, recording vinyl onto a chrome or metal tape.. those were the days

The only complaint about GRACELAND and a lot of the other 80's albums, is that the production does sound slightly dated, especially with the drums. Though GRACELAND isn't bad in that respect, there are a thousands of albums from the 80's that just have crappy-sounding drums.. I think the engineers and producers were going crazy with the new digital technology. It's too bad.

-jar

 

[FalconP]

With the label ECM, you're always guaranteed superb sound.

Many releases from the label Hearts of Space have been mastered by Bob Olhsson and sonically they reek of magic. A few titles have made their way to the record of the year list in The Absolute Sound. My favorites are Song of Earth and Sky by Bill Douglas (choral/Bosendorfer grand piano/woodwinds) and Collected Ambient and Textural Works by Michael Stearns (environmental/electronic; despite being remastered from old tapes, this recording has a superb sense of location)

The Japan based M-A Recordings also boasts some small-ensemble jazz and world music recordings with pristine sound.

 

[omendelovitz]

my vote goes for O brother where art thou. In a word: Haunting.

 

[AlterAnthony]

Off the top of my head, a few that I think have not been mentioned earlier in this thread:

Michel Camilo - One More Once
Dave Weckl Band - Synergy
Le*Silo - 8.8
Mr. Bungle - Mr. Bungle

 

[Gatticus]

The Swans - Children of God

 

[Tele]

Diana Krall - Live in Paris

 

[BadassBob]

Any of the 3 Shpongle albums have top notch engineering...you guys should check em out. Classical Mushroom by Infected Mushroom has excellent production as well. I have an eargasm everytime I listen to those 4 albums

.

 

[jcn3]

gotta agree with clapton "unplugged" and alison krauss & union station "live" -- both are tremendous and are testament to what can be done with live music.

earlier someone asked about led zeppelin. i've not heard any zep stuff that really sounds that great. i've heard some big improvements, but the masters just are not up to snuff.

 

[Exit Pupil]

i generally turf albums whose production isn't up to scratch.

the best of the best for me are -

Simple Minds - New Gold Dream (can't believe i havn't seen this listed so far)

Jon Iverson - Alternesia (this record is renowned and is so stunningly produced it can actually be spooky. your system will be the limiting factor here)

Ry Cooder and Ali Farka - Talking Timbuktu (superb )

Paul Simon - Graceland

 

[Old Pa]

Quote:

Originally Posted by yyz /img/forum/go_quote.gif The Derek Trucks Band - Songlines

Quote:

Originally Posted by slowpogo /img/forum/go_quote.gif "Woodface" - Crowded House

Lots of good suggestions here. And a few where folks evidently thought the question was "list every album you own".

Now my shameless plug for the hometown band: Cheap Trick's "at Budokan". Cheap Trick was at the height of their powers (well before they joined the "Indian Casino circuit"

) excellently performing their best catalog before an appreciative crowd. "I want YOU to want ME!"

 

[deathklok]

My two votes:

Octavarium - Dream Theater
Couldn't really tell you why, I just love the way this album sounds, especially through the K701.

Blind Guardian - A Night at the Opera
In addition to being spectacular music, the mastering is superb. Some songs have as many as 110 simultaneous tracks, and it took alot of talent just to make sense of that kind of obsessive detail, let alone to make it sound as truly spectacular as it does.