Well recorded records ... what are your picks?


I just finished listening to some records. No surprises, just some usuals. But, I was thinking the whole time about how well some of these records were engineered and recorded. I thought I would write about them and ask for your favorites.

I finished with Thomas Dolby -- Aliens Ate My Buick. It is so well recorded! I am drawn in and must listen to the whole album. I lose myself in this one! Rickie Lee Jones -- Pop Pop. Spin her version of "Up From the Skies" and you will know what I am talking about. Pure recorded bliss. It is magical. I had to listen to the rest of the album and was not disappointed! Dire Straits -- Love Over Gold. Title track -- unbelievable. This album is so well recorded; no wonder I have known more than a few audiophiles who have recommended it. I listened to the whole damned wonderful album! Rickie Lee Jones -- Rickie Lee Jones. How can you miss with this one. If you need to test your set-up, go with this one. It is perfect. Oh, also, I listened to "Sunday in the Park with George" tonight. It is so well recorded with depth and width. I also enjoy the music. I also spun Dire Straits -- Communique. It is not as well recorded as Love Over Gold, but that is only by a "smidgen." It is truly a gem. I love the music, and it is very well recorded.

These are my picks for tonight. More to come, of course. I am wondering what are your favorites and why? This could be a nice exchange of information on well engineered and recorded records for all of us. And, we could all discover albums and their characteristics through each other's information.

Cheers!
bicycle_man
Heart:Dreamboat Annie on the Mushroom label. Find a clean copy with Kendun in the deadwax. Whether you're a Heart fan or not, you likely will play this all the way through. Little Queen on the Portait label rivals this but may not quite be there.
These two Heart albums have to be some of the best mid-70's records made- both for the music and quality of recording. I remember Stereo stores back then liked to use those albums to demo equipment.
Some great ones already mentioned.

Bob Dylan: Oh Mercy

IMO its beautifully recorded and Man In The Long Black Coat is stunning.

Chris
Some recent releases (well, most are recent), all with excellent music and sound:

White Stripes - Icky Thump
Raconteurs - Consolers of the Lonely
Yeah Yeah Yeahs - It's Blitz
Radiohead - In Rainbows (Discbox version, haven't heard the regular one)
Spoon - Ga Ga Ga Ga Ga
Pavement - Brighten the Corners (original version - haven't heard the reissue)
The Lemonheads (s/t)
Architecture in Helsinki - Places
The Breeders - Title TK
Frank Black & the Catholics - Show Me Your Tears
Belle & Sebastien - If You're Feeling Sinister
Blonde Redhead - 23
Beirut - The Flying Club Cup
50' Wave - Power & Light
Pixies - Doolittle (MoFi version)