Are the loudness wars over?*

SH forum members?

 

Of course, what was I thinking about?!

 

To the OP, not really, although it depends on the genre.

 

The war is not over.
But I have to say the new U2 cd has A Nice sound.

 

Agree.

It doesn't really sound brickwalled.

 

No not brickwalled

 

And it's a damn shame. Would be a great album except for the horrible audio compression. The song "Pain" especially suffers from this.

 

I buy lots of new stuff. Am pleasantly surprised when I come across one every now and again...but "plenty"? That's beyond pushing it.

 

It depends what you buy. I do buy new releases as well as new reissues on CD and many are not bricked. People around here act like every newly manufactured CD is bricked, which is simply not true.

 

Well in my experience nearly all CDs I got post 90s are bricked. Especially new artists. And I buy a lot. Like a lot. I threw on a Tess Park CD and almost immediately turned it right off.

 

I don't really care about the latest Pitchfork/Fantano flavor of the month type bands so that probably has something to do with it.

 

I've never read Pitchfork in my life, so I'm not sure what you're getting at there. But I buy everything from reissues of the old guard to home demos of local artists. I dunno what niche you listen to that has a plethora and steady stream of decently mastered CD but I am interested to hear what/who they are. I mean, even Jazz has started to brick. I'm too afraid to even look into if Classical has gone there and stick with 80s/90s era CDs from the genre.

If you got a list, I'm all ears.

P.S.
I've never even heard of what Fantano is.

 

Classical recordings won't brick, for marketing and targeting reasons.
Orchestral soundtracks, on the other hand, are not immune.

 

Never heard or bought a jazz CD that was bricked. Most jazz I buy is reissues though, not new stuff.

 

I've noticed. A real shame.

Regarding Classical, I have been looking into some sets released in the 2000s, so this makes me less tepid about getting them.

 

I'm not big on the genre myself but I let people bring by some CDs of their own to play in my rig since my place is less prone to neighbors. Anyway I'm not sure if these were new Jazz artists or what but they were pretty loud. I seriously doubt the genre at large is doing this though, especially reissues. Let's hope so at least.

 

Nice to see (hear) peaks and valleys for a Dec.2017 single DD release. DR10
Jan Burton-Frozen

 

Oasis may not have started it but they certainly 'advanced the campaign'.

 

Some new jazz releases are modern mastered with low DR. Try Kamasi Washington's albums "The Epic" and "Harmony of Difference". Amazing saxophone playing. Not so amazing sound quality.

 

It is a shame. Such great music. But what good is that if it's not enjoyable to listen to. I still listen to "Lost in the Dream". The album doesn't have great DR, but it still sounds good to listen to and enjoy. I don't even bother trying to listen to "A Deeper Understanding" any more. It is simply not enjoyable to listen to. If I want a War On Drugs fix I listen to Lost in the Dream or one of their older albums. "A Deeper Understanding" no longer exists to me, cause I'm not going to listen to it again other than to verify that its sound quality is squished so badly that I shouldn't bother listening to it.

 

To answer the question presented by the OP - simply have a listen to JD McPherson's latest album. No.....the battle rages on.

 

Tonight when I go to bed it's over

 

Haven't heard them, but I've seen the review hype. That label compresses their releases (e.g. Thundercat - Drunk album), which does not surprise me at all considering they are not going for the straight jazz market but a crossover thing designed to appeal to hip hop listeners and such.

 

Without getting into the sound quality versus DR number debate (acknowledging that they are not directly related), here are the CD rips or downloads on my foobar display sorted by DR, showing albums with DR9 and above (which I assume most wouldn't consider brickwalled) from 2000 until now, mostly more on the indie side since that is typically what I listen to most ... some of them sound great, some not so much ...

DR 9

[2017] Aldous Harding - Party - DR9
[2017] Emily Haines & The Soft Skeleton - Choir of the Mind - DR9
[2017] Feelies - In Between - DR9
[2017] Gas - Narkopop - DR9
[2017] Hannah Peel - Mary Casio: Journey To Cassiopeia - DR9
[2017] Jacaszek - Kwiaty - DR9
[2017] Joan Shelley - Joan Shelley - DR9
[2017] Nadine Khouri - The Salted Air - DR9
[2017] Richard Dawson - Peasant - DR9
[2016] Califone - Insect Courage EP - DR9
[2016] Carla Dal Forno - You Know What It's Like - DR9
[2016] Dead Skeletons - Live in Berlin - DR9
[2016] Julia Jacklin - Don't Let The Kids Win - DR9
[2016] Lake Ruth - Actual Entity - DR9
[2016] Oskar's Drum - A Cathedral of Hands - DR9
[2016] PJ Harvey - The Hope Six Demolition Project - DR9
[2016] Reinhold Schmölzer & Ochest•ra•conteur - Aerial Image - DR9
[2016] Richmond Fontaine - You Can't Go Back If There's Nothing To Go Back To - DR9
[2016] Surya Kris Peters - The Hermit - DR9
[2016] William Tyler - Modern Country - DR9
[2016] Wovenhand - Star Treatment - DR9
[2015] Caspian - Dust and Disquiet - DR9
[2015] Joan Shelley - Over and Even - DR9
[2015] Laura Marling - Short Movie - DR9
[2015] Mount Eerie - Sauna - DR9
[2015] Natalie Prass - Natalie Prass - DR9
[2014] Joan Shelley - Electric Ursa - DR9
[2014] Doug Tuttle - Doug Tuttle - DR9
[2014] Jenny Hval and Susanna - Meshes of Voice - DR9
[2014] Lumen Drones - Lumen Drones - DR9
[2014] Stian Westerhus & Pale Horses - Maelstrom - DR9
[2013] All Them Witches - Lightning At The Door - DR9
[2013] Califone - Stitches - DR9
[2013] CocoRosie - Tales Of A GrassWidow - DR9
[2013] Hiss Golden Messenger - Haw - DR9
[2013] Jacaszek - Piesni - DR9
[2013] Julia Holter - Loud City Song - DR9
[2013] Kikagaku Moyo - Kikagaku Moyo EP - DR9
[2013] Limiñanas - Costa Blanca - DR9
[2013] Melanie De Biasio - No Deal - DR9
[2013] Mutual Benefit - Love's Crushing Diamond - DR9
[2013] Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds - Push the Sky Away - DR9
[2012] Antlers - Undersea EP - DR9
[2012] Julia Holter - Ekstasis - DR9
[2011] Dead Skeletons - Dead Magick - DR9
[2011] Lucinda Williams - Blessed - DR9
[2011] Richard Buckner - Our Blood - DR9
[2011] Richmond Fontaine - The High Country - DR9
[2010] Chihei Hatakeyama - Ghostly Garden - DR9
[2010] Nina Nastasia - Outlaster - DR9
[2009] Bill Callahan - Sometimes I Wish We Were an Eagle - DR9
[2009] Califone - All My Friends Are Funeral Singers - DR9
[2008] Wovenhand - Ten Stones - DR9
[2007] Lucinda Williams - West - DR9
[2007] Richmond Fontaine - Thirteen Cities - DR9
[2006] Califone - Roots and Crowns - DR9
[2005] Brian Eno - Another Day On Earth - DR9
[2005] Electrelane - Axes - DR9
[2004] Califone - Heron King Blues - DR9
[2004] CocoRosie - La Maison De Mon Reve - DR9
[2004] David Kilgour - Frozen Orange - DR9
[2004] Moonbabies - The Orange Billboard - DR9
[2004] Orso - My Dreams Are Back And They Are Better Than Ever - DR9
[2004] Twilight Singers - She Loves You - DR9
[2004] Wayne Robbins and the Hellsayers - The Lonesome Sea - DR9
[2003] Books - The Lemon of Pink - DR9
[2003] Broadcast - HaHa Sound - DR9
[2003] Cat Power - You Are Free - DR9
[2003] Cul de Sac - Death Of The Sun - DR9
[2003] Jason Molina - The North Star Blues Session - DR9
[2003] Laika - Lost in Space - DR9
[2003] Magnolia Electric Co. - What Comes After The Blues - DR9
[2003] Pram - Dark Island - DR9
[2003] Richmond Fontaine - Post To Wire - DR9
[2002] Calla - Televise - DR9
[2002] Low - Trust - DR9
[2002] Notwist - Neon Golden [City Slang] - DR9
[2002] Songs: Ohia - Didn't It Rain - DR9
[2002] Ugly Casanova - Sharpen Your Teeth - DR9
[2002] Wilco - Yankee Hotel Foxtrot - DR9
[2001] Appleseed Cast - Low Level Owl, Vol. 1 - DR9
[2001] Appleseed Cast - Low Level Owl, Vol. 2 - DR9
[2001] Björk - Vespertine - DR9
[2001] Bonnie 'Prince' Billy - Ease Down The Road - DR9
[2001] Califone - Roomsound - DR9
[2001] Hope Sandoval & The Warm Inventions - Bavarian Fruit Bread - DR9
[2001] Jim O'Rourke - Insignificance - DR9
[2001] Joe Henry - Scar - DR9
[2001] Lift to Experience - The Texas-Jerusalem Crossroads - DR9
[2001] Low - Things We Lost in the Fire - DR9
[2001] Lucinda Williams - Essence - DR9
[2001] Microphones - The Glow Pt. 2 - DR9
[2001] Sparklehorse - It's a Wonderful Life - DR9
[2001] Spoon - Girls Can Tell - DR9
[2000] Grandaddy - The Sophtware Slump - DR9
[2000] Pinback - Some Voices EP - DR9
[2000] Sixteen Horsepower - Secret South [2009] - DR9
[2000] Songs: Ohia - The Lioness - DR9

DR 10

[2017] Kikagaku Moyo - Stone Garden EP - DR10
[2017] Minco Eggersman - Kavkasia - DR10
[2016] Black Tape for a Blue Girl - These Fleeting Moments - DR10
[2016] James Blake - The Colour In Anything - DR10
[2016] Robbie Fulks - Upland Stories - DR10
[2015] Delines - Scenic Sessions - DR10
[2015] Joanna Newsom - Divers - DR10
[2015] Revolutionary Army of the Infant Jesus - Beauty Will Save the World - DR10
[2014] A Winged Victory For The Sullen - Atomos - DR10
[2014] Jane Weaver - The Silver Globe - DR10
[2014] Loscil - Sea Island - DR10
[2014] Mark Lanegan - Has God Seen My Shadow (An Anthology 1989-2011) - DR10
[2013] Low - The Invisible Way - DR10
[2013] Mazzy Star - Season Of Your Day - DR10
[2013] Steve Gunn - Time Off - DR10
[2013] Willard Grant Conspiracy - Ghost Republic - DR10
[2011] Bon Iver - Bon Iver, Bon Iver - DR10
[2011] John Vanderslice - White Wilderness - DR10
[2011] PJ Harvey - Let England Shake - DR10
[2011] Wild Beasts - Smother - DR10
[2010] Brian Eno - Making Space - DR10
[2010] Brian Jonestown Massacre - Who Killed Sgt. Pepper - DR10
[2010] Circulatory System - Signal Morning - DR10
[2009] Hope Sandoval & The Warm Inventions - Through The Devil Softly - DR10
[2006] Ali Farka Toure - Savane - DR10
[2006] Isobel Campbell & Mark Lanegan - Ballad of the Broken Seas - DR10
[2006] Shearwater - Palo Santo [Fargo] - DR10
[2006] Tom Verlaine - Around - DR10
[2004] Electrelane - The Power Out - DR10
[2004] Fripp & Eno - The Equatorial Stars - DR10
[2003] Califone - Deceleration Two - DR10
[2003] Califone - Quicksand/Cradlesnakes - DR10
[2003] Lucinda Williams - World Without Tears - DR10
[2002] Beth Gibbons & Rustin Man - Out Of Season - DR10
[2002] Tracker - Polk - DR10
[2001] Baaba Maal - Missing You (Mi Yeewnii) - DR10
[2001] Bardo Pond - Dilate - DR10
[2001] Hood - Cold House - DR10
[2001] Life Without Buildings - Any Other City [2002 US Reissue] - DR10
[2001] Mark Lanegan - Field Songs - DR10
[2001] Ryan Adams - Gold - DR10
[2000] Black Heart Procession - Three - DR10
[2000] Broadcast - The Noise Made By People - DR10
[2000] Cat Power - The Covers Record - DR10
[2000] Giant Sand - Chore Of Enchantment - DR10
[2000] Gorky's Zygotic Mynci - The Blue Trees - DR10
[2000] Microphones - It Was Hot, We Stayed in the Water - DR10
[2000] Richard Buckner - The Hill - DR10
[2000] Songs: Ohia - Ghost Tropic - DR10
[2000] Yo La Tengo - And Then Nothing Turned Itself Inside-Out - DR10

DR 11

[2016] Brian Eno - The Ship - DR11
[2016] Pines - Above the Prairie - DR11
[2015] CocoRosie - Heartache City - DR11
[2015] Israel Nash - Israel Nash's Silver Season - DR11
[2015] Jane Weaver - The Amber Light - DR11
[2015] Mekons & Robbie Fulks - Jura - DR11
[2015] Steven Wilson - Hand. Cannot. Erase. - DR11
[2015] Tigran Hamasyan - Mockroot - DR11
[2014] Black Dirt Oak - Wawayanda Patent - DR11
[2014] Nathan Bowles - Nansemond - DR11
[2014] Virginia Wing - Measures Of Joy - DR11
[2013] Golden Gunn - Golden Gunn - DR11
[2013] Laura Marling - Once I Was An Eagle - DR11
[2013] My Bloody Valentine - m b v [24-96] - DR11
[2013] Patty Griffin - American Kid - DR11
[2013] Robbie Fulks - Gone Away Backward - DR11
[2012] Fiona Apple - The Idler Wheel Is Wiser Than The Driver Of The Screw & Whipping Cords Will Serve You More Than Ropes Will Ever Do - DR11
[2011] A Winged Victory for the Sullen - A Winged Victory for the Sullen - DR11
[2011] Bill Callahan - Apocalypse - DR11
[2011] Chihei Hatakeyama - Mirror - DR11
[2011] Tindersticks - Claire Denis Film Scores 1996-2009 CD4 (Trouble Every Day 2001) - DR11
[2010] Tindersticks - Falling Down A Mountain - DR11
[2009] Antony & The Johnsons - The Crying Light - DR11
[2008] Bon Iver - For Emma, Forever Ago - DR11
[2007] Magnolia Electric Co. - Nashville Moon - DR11
[2007] Nina Nastasia & Jim White - You Follow Me - DR11
[2007] PJ Harvey - White Chalk - DR11
[2005] Richmond Fontaine - Obliteration by Time - DR11
[2003] Nina Nastasia - Run to Ruin - DR11
[2002] Nina Nastasia - The Blackened Air - DR11
[2001] Pinback - Blue Screen Life - DR11
[2000] Nina Nastasia - Dogs - DR11

DR 12

[2017] Modern English - Take Me to the Trees - DR12
[2017] Various - The Hired Hands: A Tribute to Bruce Langhorne - DR12
[2013] Ed Harcourt - Back Into The Woods - DR12
[2013] Steve Gunn & Mike Gangloff - Melodies for a Savage Fix - DR12
[2012] Jason Molina - Autumn Bird Songs - DR12
[2012] Lucrecia Dalt - Commotus - DR12
[2011] Josh T. Pearson - Last Of The Country Gentlemen - DR12
[2009] Anouar Brahem - The Astounding Eyes of Rita - DR12
[2009] Jon Hassell - Last Night the Moon Came Dropping Its Clothes in the Street - DR12
[2006] Magnolia Electric Co. - Fading Trails - DR12
[2006] Nina Nastasia - On Leaving - DR12
[2003] Roger Eno & Peter Hammill - The Appointed Hour - DR12
[2002] Anouar Brahem - Le Pas Du Chat Noir - DR12
[2002] Califone - Deceleration One - DR12
[2001] Court & Spark - Bless You - DR12
[2001] Gillian Welch - Time (The Revelator) - DR12

DR 13

[2015] Lucrecia Dalt - Ou - DR13
[2000] Ryan Adams - Heartbreaker - DR13

DR 14

[2015] Jim O'Rourke - Simple Songs - DR14

 

I'm as far from an engineer as it gets, but the Winwood Live Cd from last September sounds great to my ears, more so than other recent purchases. if anyone who understands the technical aspects of this discussion who is also familiar with the Winwood care to comment on my observation? I'm trying to understand this from a consumer perspective.