There are some interesting and beautifully mixed albums out there in terms of the sound quality and post production techniques.
These albums are great resources to compare your own mixes with and learn from.
So this post should serve as a medium to make them known.
Please keep in mind that this should not be used to present an album that you like for it's music. Rather to present an album that you value as having a mix that stands out from the rest.
Here is a format that can be used.
Genre:
Artist:
Album:
Comments:
[Edit: clarified post. See comment below]
Genre: POP
Artist: Celine Dion
Album: Falling Into You
Comments: The compositions use a lot of various instrumentation very tastefully from classical choir and strings to Electric Guitars. Each instrument is heard distinctly and clearly (L.A fashion). However where the mix stands out is in that it has a feel of "white and cold" all over it. It's hard to explain that technically :P but it's very apparent throughout the whole album.
i almost understand what you want with this, but explain what do you mean by "mix"?
-Mix, as a compilations of various songs, so we're talking about interesting and inspiring combinations of musics.
-Mix, as the songs creative structure combination in the album.
-Mix, as the mastering/sound quality of the album.
Genre: Ambient Soundtrack
Artist: Asche & Spencer
Album: Monsters Ball (Soundtrack)
Comments: This album was produced with such care to the midrange, that the volume dynamic is incredible. It doesn't sound muddy at all while still preserving the warmth and depth of all the sounds, which is difficult with such a style.
Got your point Psi. Edited the post.
Genre: Gothic Metal
Artist: Theater of Tragedy
Album: Aegis
Comments: Every instrument is both crystal clear and at the same time blend perfectly together. This is also an excellent example of how important getting the right drum mix is for an album.
Genre: Orchestral Soundtrack
Artist: John Barry
Album: Cry the Beloved Country
Comments: This album is very unusually mixed for a more contemporary orchestral production. Most orchestral productions (particularly nowadays) create a strong distinction and separation of each instrument. This is done by using close mics in the mix.
Instead this mix captures the orchestral as a whole cohesive unit working together, by capturing it from a distant perspective. But it's still mixed well enough for each instrument to be distinct. It really sounds like the instruments all need each other whereas in a lot of albums it can sound like they are independent of each other.
I think this was a bold approach to try and it works for the musical style giving it a most beautiful wholeness about it.