Adele cd...bad mix/recording

It would be called the 'Loudness War'. Yes, it is planned by the 'record' companies. That, combined with not setting up micing as well as possible.

And yes, we are a blip on the screen. I am glad that I am old enough to be done with 'Pop' music. Although it certainly does cross over into too many modern Jazz recordings. I am always amazed that the production of the 50s and 60s jazz recordings are very good, and they make todays main line releases unlistenable.

Dalecrommie, It could be part and parcel of "Loudness War" but this, to me, is almost more for effect and not just for louder play on the radio.

Found myself at 110 mph listening to "Set Fire to the Rain." Great driving song!

Hard to listen to that track in my main system because the microphone and the rest of the band are not balanced. Way too bright and thin.

IMHO the quality of this CD is really off.

Bjesien, maybe that was their main goal - to have the song sound good at 110 mph in a car, on an ipod or a boombox. They probably don't give a toot that it doesn't sound right on your fancy rig.

In short, the CD probably sounds exactly they way they want it to sound.

Gotta say I agree that it's not the best mix. Much of it, I just don't enjoy listening to. Have to admit, not trained enough to hear too deep into the mastering decisions, but sounds to me like much of the instrumentation was mixed together and then compressed (what I have come to understand as applying "compression glue") and then down mixed, while the vocals track was then layed down pretty hot on top of that. In the end, sounds like the instrumentation is unnaturally compressed, while the vocals are way too hot and at times a little strident in comparison. Would also agree, however, that it is no accident. Very obviously deliberate. Makes it so that the vocal track -- obviously the focus -- "pops" under all manner of sub-optimal listening conditions and formats. Given the market and such, can't blame them for making these choices. But it is disappointing....