If you’ve read anything I’ve written on this page, you know that I’m not an expert on anything. In terms of music, my knowledge and taste was shaped by much smarter people telling me things. These experts pre-chewed my musical food and I digested it.
As an amateur music fan, I’ve had a recurring thought about albums. Which one sounds the best? I’ll admit that I’m out of my depth when it comes to the technicalities of music production. I have to rely on my instincts and my ears to make this determination. This is all coming from an adult child that played guitar in a band for almost two years.
But really, what is the best sounding album ever? And what do I mean by that? I mean which one has the richest, most textured, dynamic, clear, and/or unique sound? Which one makes you feel like you’re in the studio? Which one feels perfectly mixed? Which one makes you appreciate every instrument? Which one stuns you into a haze of textured and atmospheric production elements?
Below are some examples of what I’m talking about. Just the tip of the iceberg, really.
Avalon, Roxy Music
This might be the least heard album on my list. While some know Roxy Music, they might not have taken the full Avalon journey. There’s the powerful opening track “More Than This.” This and the title single just scratch the surface. Watch Rick Beato’s video with legendary mixer Bob Clearmountain. In the video, Clearmountain mentions this record as one of his crowning achievements.
There’s a reason people call this an immaculately-mixed album. The reverb, echo, and panning couldn’t be better utilized. Check out the deep tracks for some fantastic and surprising results. “The Main Thing” is funky and danceable. “To Turn You On” is a journey through love and desperation. The penultimate track, “True to Life,” features some staggering vocal effects. You almost wish that an entire film could’ve been made to accompany this record.
Pet Sounds, The Beach Boys
Brian Wilson clearly had a sixth sense about music. The genius artist wanted to push his band further than anyone expected. In the studio, he really found his gift. The man was clearly born to write music and produce. With Pet Sounds, Wilson outdid himself. I can’t articulate his vision better than anyone else. It’s self-evident at this point that this collection elevated pop music as an artform.
Where do you begin? The entire album could be boiled down to the brilliance of “God Only Knows.” If you have the time, search for the clip of Beatles producer George Martin sitting with Brian Wilson. Together, two of the best pop producers ever talk through this piece. Martin spoke about his admiration for this album highlight. Coming from the Beatles producer, Wilson likely took that compliment to heart. The album even includes intriguing instrumentals like “Let’s Go Away for Awhile.” In either track, Wilson’s vision shines brightly in a decade of revolutionary music.
Aja, Steely Dan
In my book, Steely Dan has at least three records that could be considered masterpieces. Aja often stands as the obvious choice. It’s also my personal favorite. Although, I have to say that I enjoy Gaucho almost as much. Aja finds them in full studio madness. Walter Becker and Donald Fagen are in deep, methodical, borderline psychotic, perfectionist madness. They have some of the finest session players adorning their record. They have Bernard Purdie laying down drum tracks. Jay Graydon does a guitar solo. Michael McDonald throws in some backup vocals. Chuck Rainey plays bass. What more do you need?
“Peg” is a radio staple. It’s also a beautifully-crafted song. McDonald sings the title, delivering his angelic vocals to another blessed song. Graydon’s solo flies high through every pristine note. Rick Marotta’s drums are intricate and crisp. “Deacon Blues” slows things down, giving Fagen a chance to deliver one of his best vocals. The horn arrangements flood your ears like a wave of warm water. Is that a good thing? In this case, it is. There’s also the title track featuring jazz great Wayne Shorter and legendary drummer Steve Gadd. With these two guys offering some of their best work, the studio microphones pick up every subtle detail.
Nevermind, Nirvana
This one might be controversial among alternative rock fans. Obviously, Nevermind stands as a classic. Some fans agree with Kurt Cobain’s misgivings about the record. He apparently didn’t like the mix. However, I feel like it gives the record it’s timeless quality. This isn’t to say that Bleach’s indie tenacity or In Utero’s raw energy is any worse. All three studio albums have their own charms. In fact, Kurt Cobain’s songwriting ensures that any type of production makes for a good Nirvana song.
Under the direction of Butch Vig, this fantastic record explodes in your speakers. “Smells Like Teen Spirit” shouldn’t work all these years later. It’s a testament to this recording and Cobain that it still does. When I’ve heard it on the radio, I’m amazed by how much power it continues to hold. From the opening riff on “Teen Spirit” to the acoustic “Something in the Way,” Vig gave the band space to explore their musical dreams. This includes all of Dave Grohl’s drum tracks, from the fills of “In Bloom” to the rolls on “Breed.” Or something like Krist Novoselic’s bass on “Lounge Act.” Is it too clean for a grunge record? Maybe, but it sounds good.
Do you have an album that fits the bill? Do you agree with the bill? What is a bill?
more than this can go on loop and never get old