Best produced rock albums.........


There is nothing as satisfying as listening to a masterfully produced album. I'm looking to add to my collection of masterfully produced rock CDs. Current favs : Tom Petty Highway Companion, John Mayers Continuum, Third Eye Blind - title, ZZ Tops XXX, etc. Please suggest other rock albums that are you favorites.
128x128mikeelzeysguitarstudio

Pretty much anything Glyn Johns touched-- partly because of his talent, and partly because the bands were at their peak during his tenure. 

From Sound Man by Glyn Johns, from Blue Rider Press/Penguin Random House.

1964, Georgie Fame, “Rhythm and Blues at the Flamingo,” Engineer, Mixing
1964, The Kinks, “All Day and All of the Night/I Gotta Move,” Engineer
1964, The Kinks, “You Really Got Me/It’s All Right,” Engineer
1965, The Rolling Stones, “December’s Children (And Everybody’s),” Engineer, Mixing
1965, The Pretty Things, “Get the Picture?” Producer, Engineer, Mixing
1965, The Rolling Stones, “Our of Our Heads,” Engineer, Mixing
1965, The Manish Boys, “I Pity the Fool/Take My Tip,” Engineer
1965, The Who, “My Generation/Shout and Shimmy,” Engineer
1965, Davy Jones, “You’ve Got a Habit of Leaving/Baby Loves That Way,” Engineer
1965, Lady Lee, “Ninety-Nine Times Out of a Hundred/I Can Feel It,” Engineer
1965, The Talismen, “Masters of War/Casting my Spell,” Engineer
1965, Dave Helling, “It Ain’t Me Babe/ If You’re Gonna Leave Me,” Engineer
1965, Dave Helling, “Christine/The Bells,” Engineer
1965, Colette and The Bandits, “A Ladies’ Man/Lost Love,” Engineer
1965, Sean Buckley and The Breadcrumbs, “It Hurts Me When I Cry/ Everybody Knows,” Engineer
1965, Eleanor Toner, “Will You Still Love me Tomorrow/Between the
Window and the Phone,” Engineer
1965, Eleanor Toner, “All Cried Out/A Hundred Guitars,” Engineer
1965, Eleanor Toner, “The Spinning Wheel/Boolovogue,” Engineer
1965, Twinkle, “Tommy/So Sad,” Engineer
1965, The Liberators, “It Hurts so Much/You Look so Fine,” Engineer
1965, Vashti, “Some Things Just Stick in Your Mind/I Want to be Alone,” Engineer
1966, The Rolling Stones, “Aftermath,” Engineer, Mixing
1966, The Rolling Stones, “Got Live if you Want it!” Engineer, Mixing
1966, Chris Farlowe, “The Art of Chris Farlowe,” Engineer, Mixing
1966 Small Faces, “Small Faces [Decca],” Engineer, Mixing
1966, Chris Farlowe, “14 Things to Think About,” Engineer, Mixing
1966, Twice as Much, “Own Up,” Engineer, Mixing
1966, Jimmy Winston and His Reflections, “Sorry She’s Mine/It’s Not What You Do (But The Way That You Do It),” Producer
1966, The Fleur de Lys, “Circles/So, Come On,” Producer
1966, The Easybeats, “Cielo E Infierno/Tienes Alma?” Producer
1966, Small Faces, “Hey Girl/Almost Grown,” Engineer
1966, The Factotums, “You’re So Good To Me/Can’t Go Home Anymore My Love,” Engineer
1966, The Factotums, “Here Today/In My Room,” Engineer
1966, Goldie, “Going Back/Headlines,” Engineer
1966, The Rocking Vickers, “It’s Alright/Stay By Me,” Engineer
1966, The Kinks, “Dedicated Follower of Fashion/Sittin’ On My Sofa,” Engineer
1966, The Kinks, “Sunny Afternoon/I’m Not Like Everybody Else,” Engineer
1966, The Lancastrians, “The Ballad of the Green Berets/My Little Rose,” Engineer
1966, The Clayton Squares, “There She Is/Imagination,” Engineer
1966, The Easybeats, “Friday On My Mind/Made My Bed; Gonna Lie In It,” Engineer
1966, Manfred Mann, “Semi-Detached, Suburban Mr. James/Morning After the Party,” Engineer
1966, Twice as Much, “True Story/You’re So Good for Me,” Engineer
1967, Small Faces, “From the Beginning,” Engineer, Mixing
1967, Small Faces, “Small Faces [Immediate],” Engineer, Mixing
1967, The Rolling Stones, “Their Satanic Majesties Request,” Engineer, Mixing
1967, The Rolling Stones, “Between the Buttons,” Engineer, Mixing
1967, The Rolling Stones, “Flowers,” Engineer, Mixing
1967, The Tangerine Peel, “Every Christian Lion-Hearted Man Will Show You/ Trapped,” Producer
1967, Chris Farlowe, “Moanin’ / What Have I Been Doing,” Producer
1967, The Easybeats, “Heaven and Hell / Pretty Girl,” Producer
1967, The Fortunes, “The Idol / His Smile Was a Lie [45 single],” Producer
1967, Twice As Much, “Crystal Ball / Why Can’t They All Go and Leave Me Alone,” Engineer
1967, The Nashville Teens, “That’s My Woman / Words,” Engineer
1967, The Nashville Teens, “I’m Coming Home / Searching,” Engineer
1967, Hamilton And The Movement, “I’m Not The Marrying Kind / My Love Belongs To You,” Engineer
1967, Del Shannon, “Led Along / I Can’t Be True,” Engineer
1967, Del Shannon, “Runaway / He Cheated,” Engineer
1967, Nicky Scott, “Big City / Everything’s Gonna Be Alright,” Engineer
1967, The Move, “The Lemon Tree,” Engineer
1967, Marianne Faithfull, “Tomorrow’s Calling,” Engineer
1967, Johnny Hallyday, “San Francisco EP,” Engineer
1968, The Rolling Stones, “Beggars Banquet,” Engineer, Mixing
1968, Steve Miller Band, “Children of the Future,” Producer, Engineer, Mixing
1968, Twice As Much, “That’s All,” Engineer
1968, Spooky Tooth, “It’s All About,” Engineer, Mixing
1968, Small Faces, “Ogdens’ Nut Gone Flake,” Engineer, Mixing
1968, Steve Miller Band, “Sailor,” Producer, Engineer, Mixing
1968, Gerry Temple, “Burn Up!” Engineer
1968, Procol Harum, “Shine on Brightly,” Engineer, Mixing
1968, The Move, “The Move,” Engineer, Mixing
1968, The Easybeats, “Vigil,” Engineer, Mixing
1968, Traffic, “Traffic,” Engineer, Mixing
1968, Billy Nicholls, “Would You Believe,” Engineer, Mixing
1968, Steve Miller Band, “Living In The U.S.A. / Quicksilver Girl,” Producer, Engineer, Mixing
1968, The Move, “Fire Brigade / Walk Upon The Water,” Engineer
1969, Steve Miller Band, “Brave New World,” Producer, Engineer, Mixing
1969, Family, “Family Entertainment,” Producer, Engineer, Mixing
1969, The End, “Introspection,” Producer, Engineer, Mixing
1969, The Beatles, “Abbey Road,” Engineer
1969, Joe Cocker, “Joe Cocker!” Engineer, Mixing
1969, Johnny Hallyday, “Johnny Hallyday [1969],” Producer, Engineer, Mixing
1969, Led Zeppelin, “Led Zeppelin,” Director of Engineering, Engineer
1969, The Rolling Stones, “Let It Bleed,” Engineer, Mixing
1969, Billy Preston, “That’s The Way God Planned It,” Engineer, Mixing
1969, Steve Miller Band, “Your Saving Grace,” Producer, Engineer, Mixing
1970, Lambert & Nuttycombe, “At Home,” Engineer, Producer
1970, The Rolling Stones, “Get Yer Ya-Ya’s Out!” Producer, Engineer, Mixing
1970, Humble Pie, “Humble Pie,” Producer, Engineer, Mixing
1970, Bob Dylan, “Self Portrait,” Engineer
1970, Philamore Lincoln, “The North Wind Blew South,” Engineer
1970, Leon Russell, “Leon Russell,” Engineer, Mixing
1970, The Beatles, “Let It Be,” Engineer
1970, Joe Cocker, “Mad Dogs & Englishmen,” Producer, Mixing
1970, Steve Miller Band, “Number 5,” Producer, Engineer, Mixing
1970, Delaney & Bonnie, “On Tour with Eric Clapton,” Engineer
1970, The Move, “Shazam,” Engineer, Mixing
1970, The Band, “Stage Fright,” Mixing
1970, Spooky Tooth, “The Last Puff,” Engineer, Mixing
1970, McGuinness Flint, “When I’m Dead And Gone / Lazy Afternoon,” Producer, Engineer, Mixing
1970, The Rolling Stones, “Little Queenie / Love In Vain,” Engineer, Mixing
1971, Faces, “A Nod Is as Good as a Wink . . . to a Blind Horse,” Producer, Engineer, Mixing
1971, Boz Scaggs, “Boz Scaggs & Band,” Producer, Engineer, Mixing
1971, Ben Sidran, “Feel Your Groove,” Engineer, Liner Notes, Mixing
1971, McGuinness Flint, “Happy Birthday, Ruthy Baby,” Producer, Engineer, Mixing
1971, Jesse Ed Davis, “Jesse Davis,” Producer, Engineer, Mixing
1971, Leon Russell, “Leon Russell and the Shelter People,” Engineer, Mixing
1971, Marc Benno, “Minnows,” Producer, Engineer, Mixing
1971, Boz Scaggs, “Moments,” Producer, Engineer, Mixing
1971, Rita Coolidge, “Nice Feelin’,” Engineer
1971, Humble Pie, “Rock On,” Engineer, Mixing, Producing
1971, Graham Nash, “Songs for Beginners,” Mixing
1971, The Rolling Stones, “Sticky Fingers,” Engineer, Mixing Engineer, Mixing
1971, Spooky Tooth, “Tobacco Road,” Engineer, Mixing
1971, The Who, “Who’s Next,” Producer, Engineer, Mixing
1971, The Who, “Let’s See Actions / When I Was A Boy,” Producer, Engineer, Mixing
1972, Eagles, “Eagles,” Producer, Engineer, Mixing
1972, The Rolling Stones, “Exile on Main St.” Engineer
1972, Rita Coolidge, “The Lady’s Not For Sale,” Producer, Engineer, Mixing
1972, Neil Young, “Harvest,” Engineer
1972, The Rolling Stones, “Jamming with Edward!” Producer, Engineer, Mixing
1972, The Who, “Relay / Waspman,” Producer, Engineer, Mixing
1972, The Who, “Join Together / Baby Don’t You Do It,” Producer, Engineer, Mixing
1972, Tim Davis, “Baby Won’t You Come Out Tonight,” Producer, Engineer, Mixing
1973, Chris Jagger, “Chris Jagger,” Mixing
1973, Eagles, “Desperado,” Producer, Engineer, Mixing
1973, Eric Clapton, “Eric Clapton’s Rainbow Concert,” Engineer
1973, Faces, “Ooh La La,” Producer, Engineer, Mixing
1973, The Who, “Quadrophenia,” Associate Producer, Engineer
1973, Rick Grech, “The Last Five Years,” Producer, Engineer, Mixing
1973, Paul McCartney, “Red Rose Speedway,” Engineer
1973, Gallagher & Lyle, “Seeds,” Producer, Engineer, Mixing
1973, Ozark Mountain Daredevils, “The Ozark Mountain Daredevils,” Producer, Engineer, Mixing
1973, Gallagher & Lyle, “Willie & the Lap Dog,” Producer, Engineer, Mixing
1973, Ronnie Lane, “How Come? / Tell Everyone / Does This One Before,” Producer, Engineer, Mixing
1974, Ozark Mountain Daredevis, “It’ll Shine When It Shines,” Co-Producer, Engineer, Mixing
1974, The Rolling Stones, “It’s Only Rock ‘n’ Roll,” Mixing
1974, Eagles, “On The Border,” Producer, Engineer
1974, Gallagher & Lyle, “The Last Cowboy,” Producer, Engineer, Mixing
1974, Howlin’ Wolf, “The London Howlin’ Wolf Sessions,” Engineer
1974, Georgie Fame, “Georgie Fame,” Producer, Engineer, Mixing
1975, Fairport Convention, “Rising for the Moon,” Producer, Engineer, Mixing
1975, The Who, “The Who by Numbers,” Producer, Engineer, Mixing
1975, Andy Fairweather Low, “Wide Eyed And Legless / Grease It Up,” Producer, Engineer, Mixing
1976, Andy Fairweather Low, “Be Bop ‘N’ Holla,” Producer, Engineer, Mixing
1976, Fools Gold, “Fools Gold,” Producer, Engineer, Mixing
1976, Joan Armatrading, “Joan Armatrading,” Producer, Engineer, Mixing
1976, Ron Wood & Ronnie Lane, “Mahoney’s Last Stand,” Producer, Engineer, Mixing
1976, The Rolling Stones, “Black And Blue,” Engineer
1976, Buckacre, “Morning Comes,” Producer, Engineer, Mixing
1976, Georgie Fame, “Yes Honestly / Lily,” Producer, Engineer, Mixing
1977, Bernie Leadon & Michael Georgiades Band, “Natural Progressions,” Producer, Engineer, Mixing
1977, Pete Townshend & Ronnie Lane, “Rough Mix,” Producer, Engineer, Mixing
1977, Joan Armatrading, “Show Some Emotion,” Producer, Engineer, Mixing
1977, Eric Clapton, “Slowhand,” Producer, Engineer, Mixing
1978, Eric Clapton, “Backless,” Producer, Engineer, Mixing
1978, Craig Nuttycombe, “It’s Just a Lifetime,” Producer, Engineer, Mixing
1978, Joan Armatrading, “To the Limit,” Producer, Engineer, Mixing
1978, Artists Various, “White Mansions,” Producer, Engineer, Mixing
1978, The Who, “Who Are You,” Producer, Engineer, Mixing
1979, Marc Benno, “Lost in Austin,” Producer, Engineer, Mixing
1979, Joan Armatrading, “Steppin’ Out,” Producer, Engineer, Mixing
1979, Live Wire, “Pick It Up,” Producer, Engineer, Mixing
1980, Lazy Racer, “Formula 2,” Producer, Engineer, Mixing
1980, Tim Renwick, “Tim Renwick,” Producer, Engineer, Mixing
1980, Artists Various, “Legend of Jesse James,” Producer, Engineer, Mixing
1981, Danny Joe Brown, “Danny Joe Brown and the Danny Joe Brown Band,” Producer, Engineer, Mixing
1981, Jools Holland, “Jools Holland and the Millionaires,” Producer, Engineer, Mixing
1981, Midnight Oil, “Place Without A Postcard,” Producer, Engineer, Mixing
1981, Nine Below Zero, “Don’t Point Your Finger,” Producer, Engineer, Mixing
1981, Chris De Burgh, “Best Moves,” Producer, Engineer, Mixing
1982, The Clash, “Combat Rock,” Mixing
1982, The Who, “It’s Hard,” Producer, Engineer, Mixing
1983, Local Boys, “Moments Of Madness,” Producer, Engineer, Mixing
1984, Various, “A.R.M.S. Concert, Pt. 1,” Producer, Engineer, Mixing
1984, Various, “A.R.M.S. Concert, Pt. 2,” Producer, Engineer, Mixing
1984, Jimmy Page, “No Introduction Necessary,” Engineer
1984, Téléphone, “Un Autre Monde,” Producer, Engineer, Mixing
1985, Immaculate Fools, “Hearts of Fortune,” Mixing
1986, Téléphone, “Le Live,” Producer, Engineer, Mixing
1986, Roaring Boys, “Roaring Boys,” Producer, Engineer, Mixing
1986, Big Dish, “Swimmer,” Producer, Engineer, Mixing
1986, New Model Army, “The Ghost of Cain,” Engineer, Mixing, Producer
1987, Joolz, “Hex,” Mixing
1987, Spooky Tooth, “Spooky Tooth,” Engineer, Mixing
1987, Helen Watson, “Blue Slipper,” Producer, Mixing
1987, Labi Siffre, “(Something Inside) So Strong,” Producer, Engineer, Mixing
1988, John Hiatt, “Slow Turning,” Producer, Mixing
1989, Nanci Griffith, “Storms,” Producer, Mixing
1989, Green On Red, “This Time Around,” Producer, Mixing
1989, Helen Watson, “The Weather Inside,” Producer, Mixing
1990, John Hiatt, “Stolen Moments,” Producer, Mixing
1990, Summerhill, “West Of Here,” Mixing
1991, Del Shannon, “The Liberty Years,” Engineer
1992, Energy Orchard, “Stop The Machine,” Producer, Engineer, Mixing
1992, Ethan Johns, “Independent Years,” Mixing, Producer
1993, David Crosby, “Thousand Roads,” Producer, Engineer, Mixing
1994, Crosby, Stills & Nash, “After the Storm,” Producer, Engineer, Mixing
1994, The Subdudes, “Annunciation,” Producer, Engineer, Mixing
1994, Jackopierce, “Bringing on the Weather,” Mixing
1994, Bruce Cockburn, “Dart to the Heart,” Mixing
1995, Joe Satriani, “Joe Satriani,” Producer, Mixing
1995, Belly, “King,” Producer, Mixing
1996, The Beatles, “Anthology 3,” Engineer
1996, Eric Clapton, “Crossroads, Vol. 2: Live in the Seventies,” Engineer, Producer
1996, The Rolling Stones, “The Rolling Stones Rock and Roll Circus,” Engineer, Mixing
1997, The Warm Jets, “Future Signs,” Mixing
1998, Bill Wyman’s Rhythm Kings, “Struttin’ Our Stuff,” Mixing
1998, Linda Ronstadt, “We Ran,” Producer, Mixing
1999, Bill Wyman’s Rhythm Kings, “Anyway the Wind Blows,” Mixing
1999, Emmylou Harris/ Linda Ronstadt, “Western Wall: The Tucson Sessions,” Producer, Engineer, Mixing
1999, Emmylou Harris, Elvis Costello, Evan Dando, Lucinda Williams, David Crosby, “Return Of The Grievous Angel,” Producer, Engineer, Mixing
2002, John Hiatt and Various, “The Country Bears,” Musical Direction
2005, Bruce Cockburn, “Speechless,” Mixed
2006, Andy Fairweather Low, “Sweet Soulful Music,” Producer, Engineer, Mixing
2008, The Clash, “Live at Shea Stadium,” Engineer
2008, Ian McLagan, “Never Say Never,” Mastering, Mixing
2011, Ryan Adams, “Ashes & Fire,” Engineer, Mixing, Producer
2011, Ben Waters, “Boogie 4 Stu: A Tribute to Ian Stewart,” Mixing
2012, The Rolling Stones, “Charlie Is My Darling: Ireland 1965,” Engineer
2012, The Staves, “Dead & Born & Grown & Live,” Producer, Engineer, Mixing
2012, The Rolling Stones, “GRRR!” Mixing
2012, Band of Horses, “Mirage Rock,” Engineer, Mixing, Producer
2012, Ethan Johns, “If Not Now Then When,” Mixing
2013, Aaron Neville, “My True Story,” Mixing
2013, Patty Griffin, “Silver Bell,” Mixing
2014, Benmont Tench, “You Should Be So Lucky,” Producer, Engineer, Mixing


Tom Petty Full Moon Fever Damn the Torpedoes, Wildflowers, Live Anthology
The Cult She sells Sanctuary
The Clash London Calling
Van Halen (all albums)

Joe Walsh - most of his stuff sounds great - as does The Eagles - Hell freezes over live is a great album 

my rock on CDs:

1997 David Bowie "Earthling"
2001 Depeche Mode "Exciter"
1993 Duran Duran "Wedding Album"
1994 Mark Nauseef and Miroslav Tadik "The Snake Music"
1995 Jethro Tull "Roots To Branches" perhaps their most advanced album
1991 Yes "Union"
1990 Cure "Mixed ep" compilation 
1998 Bruford Levin Upper Extremities -- B.L.U.E. very complex prog UK or Japanese CD recommended to have.
2013 Ceramic Dog --"Your turn" with Marc Ribot known as guitarist for Tom Waits
1998...1999 Projekct 1,2,3,4,x. Those are basically King Crimson members therefore spelling had slightly changed.
1993 Brian Ferry "Taxi"

dgarretson - I've heard about 1/2 of those recordings...............I'll have to check out the other half! BTW - Gyns book was quite an interesting read......especially his recounting his time on the road with the Stones. Thank you, cheers.
Glyn Johns' body of work is incredible. In recent years, I have admired Steven Wilson's (from Porcupine Tree) mastering work. He has handled the remastering for many of the classic prog releases including ELP, Yes, King Crimson, and Jethro Tull. I think the "Aqualung" 40th anniversary release is great and Chicago II is fun as well. Not compressed at all. I also think that Todd Rundgren has don some excellent production work for other artists.
Speaking of Todd Rundgren, he produced (and played on) an amazing album for Hall and Oates, War Babies. Masterful production.

Yes--Close to the Edge

Loggins & Messina--Full Sail

Most James Taylor in the last 20 years...rock?

Iron Butterfly--Metamorphosis

Chicago II and III

Cold Blood--Thriller

and a couple maybes....I'll have to give another listen:

Fleetwood Mac--Future Games

ZZ Top--Eliminator

Blood Sweat & Tears "S/T"
Alan Parsons "I Robot"
Pink Floyd "Dark Side of the Moon", "Wish You Were Here"
Roger Waters "Amused To Death"
Jethro Tull "A Minstrel in the Gallery"
Michael Jackson "Thriller"
...............
The Alan Parsons Project - Eye in the sky. The Rippingtons (contemporary Jazz) Live in LA. The best of Dire Straits and Mark Knophler.
Steven Wilson did a great job remastering Jethro Tulls Passion Play and Box set of Stand Up. I just ordered Jethro Tulls String Quartet.....getting great reviews.

Trust me on these below:

Santana Abraxis
Roxy Music Avalon
The Who Live at Leeds
Alan Parsons I Robot but only original pressing
Dire Straits Brothers in Arms
StevevMiller Fly Like an Eagle
Led Zeppelin Physical Grafitti, the new three record release
Rolling Stones black and blue
SRV Texas Flood
steely Dan Gaucho 



Anything Tom Dowd touched as well. Great lists here guys.

Happy Listening!

The recent death of Sib Hashian (RIP) had me pulling out...

Boston "S/T"  (very deserving)

"Pet Sounds"
"Sgt. Peppers" & "Abbey Road"
Chicago Transit Authority! & Chicago II - only a master could bring all those instruments into a beautiful soundscape - everything is perfectly place. Although I love the Black Crows I find an annoying amount of treble and a lack of sweet mids annoying on most of their recordings. Grateful Dead.........most of their recordings are a pleasure to listen to. Little Feat......hard to go wrong with any of their recordings.....beautifully well balanced.
jdawg60,

I think you're confusing production quality to sound quality.

Happy listening.
The 24 bit remaster of Gabriel's SO has the best sonics of any NON sacd album I own. Japanese Import of Little Feats Dixie Chicken is magnificent also.
Well it seems we are not restricting the nominees strictly to rock. I see quite a bit of jazz and country, so I'll take some license as well:
Bill Withers - Greatest Hits, Columbia
Cowboy Junkies - Everything! My favorite is Lay It Down
Rickie Lee Jones, especially Pirates and Magazine
Annie Lennox - Naked and Medusa (those are her only albums I've heard)
Mark Knopfler - Sailing to Philadelphia (CD has HDCD layer)
Rufus Wainwright - Vibrate
Joni Mitchell - probably everything
Tim and Jeff Buckley 
Supertramp - Breakfast in America
Steely Dan - Aja & Gaucho
Elton John - Honky Chateau
Rickie Lee Jones - most everything especially Pirates
Jeff Beck - Blow by Blow, Wired, Live at Ronnie Scott's and of course Truth
Hands down, anything Steely Dan. Babylon Sisters is my go-to equipment demo song. And for the most part, anything Elton John. I do have a bone to pick with someone who mentioned Van Halen. Did they have a bass player? It's certainly not evident on their recordings :) And don't get me started on "Mr. Audiophile" Neil Young, are you kidding me?
Is it me or does Good Vibrations have poor editing.....seems like there are some abrupt splices of parts? 
I have listened to a bunch of different versions of Steely Dan's AJA and have yet to find one that blows me away.  I'm sure the MFSL sounds the best but I haven't heard it yet.  Gaucho, on the other hand, is superb.  

Beck's Sea Change and Mutations are off the charts amazing recordings. 
You will be hard pressed to find anything better.  Period.
I have an early pressing of AJA as well as an MCA Audiophile half-speed mastered Gaucho. They are both among the best rock recordings and a showpiece for my system when I want to impress. 
R.E.M. ~ Automatic For The People
Phish ~ Rift
Joni Mitchell ~ Night Ride Home
Chris Isaak ~ Forever Blue
ZZ Top ~  Degüello
Rickie Lee Jones ~ Traffic From Paradise
Fleetwood Mac ~ Tusk
XTC ~ Skylarking/Oranges and Lemons/Nonsuch/Apple Venus Vol. 1
Post removed 
I seem to be in the minority here...

To me, "Best produced rock album" should be defined as:

from a producer's prospective,

(1) The ability to understand what the artist's conception is
(2) The ability to adjust the artist's perception vs. what the end product should be
(3) The producer's understanding of the entire project
(4) The connection with the artist that results in a better product
(5) The sound quality

I think most have defined "best produced rock album" into the best sound quality? Not the intent of this thread, IMO!
The real sound of a band captured on record (production quality first, superb audio as well, at least):

Jimi Hendrix - Electric Ladyland, 1968
Aphrodite´s Child - 666, 1972
Yes - s/t & Tales from Topographic Oceans, 1969, 1973
Uriah Heep first 5, 1970 - 1972
Genesis - Nursery Cryme & ... and Then There Were Three... 1st editions
- BBC Crymes (live at Studio 1972) even better sound quality, 1971, 1978
The Doobie Brothers: What Were Once Vices Are Now Habits & The Captain and Me, 1973 -74
The Alan Parsons Project - I Robot, 1977 (perfection)
The Steve Miller Band - Fly Like an Eagle & Book of Dreams, 1976-77
ELP - Trilogy & Brain Salad Surgery, 1972-73
Pink Floyd - Meddle & The Dark Side of the Moon, 1971, 1973
Santana - Abraxas & III, 1970-71
Led Zeppelin IV, 1971
Deep Purple - Machine Head, 1972
Mountain - Twin Peaks Live in Japan, 1973
Blue Öyster Cult - Agents of Fortune, 1976
UFO - Obsession, 1978
Alphataurus, 1973
Metamorfosi - Inferno, 1972
PFM - 2 first, 1972
Abba, 1975
Il Volo - Essere o non essere ? 1975
Al di Meola - Elegant Gypsy & Electric Rendezvous, 1977, 1982
Journey - Captured, 1981
Yello - Stella, 1985

A Japanese edition of Meddle I use contains everything to tune my system ;)