Songs destroyed by bad mixes so badly that you can't listen to them

I have only encountered a few tunes that were technically ruined by a bad mix. Here's an example of what I mean:



I have absolutely no clue what Chuckii Booker was thinking on this one and the issues are all in the vocals. The lead vocals sound dreadful and disembodied. There's also some bizarre distortion/flange effect on the vocals in the 2nd verse that I can't stand. I also loathe that I can hear finger snaps. Perhaps Booker was trying to capture the moment but it's just another thing that ruins the mix.

In short, I love the tune but I just can't stand how the vocals lay. Thankfully, the radio remix takes care of these issues so I can still enjoy the tune. However, the album version is what I've linked to above and it's the one they get very, very wrong.

Okay, your turn...

Ed

 

To me, the problem isn't the song or the mix, it's the arrangement. It's boring, and quite typical of the late 80s R&B.

 

What about "River Deep Mountain High"? I know some people dig the 'wall of sound' effect but to me it just sounds like AM radio.

 

I won't say I can't listen to them but these are pretty badly done:

Kinks - "Afternoon Tea"

Byrds - "Don't Make Waves" -- OK this one maybe I can't even listen to

 

Aww, man. I love this tune! LOL! I always have. The vocal arrangement is really nice and I've always been a sucker for Chuckii Booker. I love the synth grooves he came up with - especially what he could do with a synth bass. This is basically "Turned Away" sideways. Both tunes are great, IMHO.



This is mixed REALLY well too!

Ed

 

Get Off Of My Cloud stereo mix. That's a really really bad mix.

 

Iggy Pop's remix of Raw Power. Everything in the red does not work in the digital realm.

 

that's more to do with the recording than the actual mix though, right?

 

True of most Spector things, no?

Ed

 

It sounds totally surreal when you hear it in a pub whose badly set up stereo plays each channel in a different room, and you're in the room with the lead guitar channel.

 

Great remix IF you get the right mastering (RSD vinyl, Iggy remix, properly mastered)

 

This otherwise terrific album in stereo... atrocious. I think it was mixed for stereo by Helen Keller.

Only the mono version is listenable.

 

Most definitely no. The guy might be a bit loony but he sure did a lot to advance music production and inspire rock and pop creators to shoot for higher standards.
He did a lot of wonderful rich inventive production on a lot of music. All of them have a few turds under the couch, but in general he did some amazing things.

 

I am having a hard time listening to many of the songs on 'Desraeli Gears' by Cream.
Also many Beach Boys songs from 1968-1978. Songs like 'Do It Again' and 'Rock And Roll Music' sounds horrible and are cluttered in the mixes. A shame, since it's great material, really.

 

I like when that happens. early 70's separated speakers...haha

 

The best sounding, Disraeli Gears is the deluxe cd set. 2004, Universal Music. The mono version cd sounds much better then stereo. Great bonus tracks also.

 

Never To Be Forgotten - CD box set with mono tracks is the best sounding Bobby Fuller I ever heard. There's more 60's records that are just as bad as this one. How about the Rascals first two albums in stereo...

 

Ron Wood - Buried Alive
Faces - Around The Plynth
Jeff Beck - Goin Down
Beatles - Day Tripper stereo, it came alive in mono, same with all of Rubber Soul really
The Who - Happy Jack Ultimate Collection mix, Hits 50 sounds so much more enjoyable
The Kinks - Waterloo Sunset stereo mix, pretty much all of Something Else
Cream - I Feel Free stereo, White Room, SWBLR stereo, Coffee Song is a joke in stereo

 

The entire Lennon Mind Games remix LP, and in particular Meat City. Defanged completely.

 

My copy of that box is all stereo.... Was it remastered or something?

 

I nominate this:



Not necessarily ruined as such, just a bad mix. I mean the drums are so low in the mix that all you can hear of Moe is her cymbals.

 

George Harrison ~ Wah-Wah.
Phil Specter should be shot for this..

 

I was in a store once where they played "Purple Haze" and the vocal was on the other end of the room.

 

Boy that's a good pick.