Tool Fear Inoculum impressions

It’s a shame how compressed the new album is. Also sad how compressed the remasters for download are.
Looking at the DR DB it’s easy to see the affect of the Loudness Wars; Tool CDs released in the 90s have lower compression, thus better dynamic range. Albums released after 2000 are super compressed. It really hurts the music of a band like tool where there are polyrhythms which cant be fully appreciated, bass and kick drums compressed together, and vocals in the middle of it all.

At least, I have a couple of original CD releases. Hearing how compressed the streaming is, I’ll pick up the other CDs.

With regard to the new album, it will take a few listens before I make a judgment.

Well, I spoke too soon. The new album is sounding very good. It’s a good mix and well produced despite what the DR scale indicates.
I’m listening to hirez on Qobuz and liking most of the tracks after playing it twice.

Hi @uberwaltz. 
Yeah, I know there's more to it than numbers. I think because the album is so well produced that it's able to punch through the compression added during mastering. 
Could it sound better? Yes, of course. But, it's still an enjoyable listen.

@uberwaltz,  No offense taken. I know exactly what you meant. I'm with you 100%.

"Wink, wink, nudge nudge, say no more, say no more."
 

+1 Pneuma... excellent.
I just read that Bob Ludwig mastered FI. 

Does HD Tracks have their own mastered file delivered to them? I doubt it. The 24/96 mastering for download is indicated in the DR Database.
http://dr.loudness-war.info/album/list?artist=Tool&album=

It’s what I’ve been listening to via Qobuz and it sounds terrific. The DR for the CD appears to have the same specs as the downloads.

Edit: Actually, the CD has higher compression than the hirez download. Too bad, the record labels will never change. With CDs we're stuck with an inferior product.

@burndonesinkchair
I don’t like the way Tool’s albums are mixed; they seem to go for the "wall of sound" type of mix, rather than placing the musicians on the soundstage.
I’m listening to the 1993 Undertow CD which has low compression and excellent dynamics. You can hear that the drums are behind the singer, but the guitar and overall instrumentation has a wall of sound mix.
It’s a great album with excellent sound, but I wish they had some separation of instruments. It would be nice to fully hear the interaction between these excellent musicians. The later CDs have higher compression so it’s doubtful that there would be any improvement.

I imagine vinyl would be the way to go for quality listening.
Anybody have the Tool albums on vinyl?