[kj] "Absolute Dissent": The Loudness Wars

[Rheinhold Squeegee]

Not interested in starting a flamewar here since the answer is pretty subjective, but I've been seeing a lot of comments from YouTube, Amazon etc. where a few very indignant individuals insist that while "AD" may be decent, the production is an abomination. 
 
Most interestingly, they cite KJ (1980) as an example of "good" KJ production when, to me, it sounds like it was recorded in a fish tank down the hall. I have also seen "HFTBOH" cited as well-produced, when it's obvious (again, to me) that they just drove the needles into the red and left them there. Very one-note with no subtlety at all.
 
I get the whole "Loudness Wars" thing, but that's a mastering, rather than production, issue, isn't it? CDs have a set peak and you can only give the perception of exceeding that peak through signal compression.
 
I'll be the first to admit that I'm deaf as a post, but this album "sounds" as good as any I've heard. I have been able to pick out levels of nuance in songs like "Ghosts of Ladbroke Grove" that I had never experienced with another KJ disc. I have listened to it loud in the car, at normal room volume, and with headphones. 
 
I have always appreciated the "chaos" of their sound and I would never want to experience KJ with the type of clinical separation that I hear in the (limited) amount of modern metal I've actually listened to. I like the fact that they sound like they're in the process of falling off a cliff. KJ (1980) wouldn't have the same resonance if it had been produced under better circumstances.
 
Is there anyone on this list with expertise in recording and production who can comment?  Can someone who thinks "AD" sounds bad reccommend a similar disc that they think sounds "good"? What KJ albums are well-produced?
 
Discuss.
 
 
  		 	   		  
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