I've been on the punk kick lately and have come across those albums/tracks that have great songs - but the production is just not...great (Alkaline Trio, Knucklepuck, TBS - Louder Now). I'd just like to throw in that perfect summer punk record with fantastic, un-muddy production. Suggestions?
Best sounding. Louder Now's production has always bothered me (vocals sound great, but the drums sound awful, and it's always sounded like it's missing a guitar track or something). Knuckepuck has that 'compressed' sound that physically hurts my ears, especially with headphones. Alkaline Trio's latest - love the songs, but, although not nearly as unlistenable as Knucklepuck, something just doesn't sound right. You can probably tell I don't know shit about production/engineering.
First thing that comes to mind is A Wilhelm Scream's Career Suicide – I don't know if it's necessarily "the best" produced album, but it sounds very good to my ears. I also think some of Rise Against's albums probably fit what you're looking for: Siren Song of the Counter Culture and The Sufferer and the Witness are my personal favorites. I'd also recommend the last few Anti-Flag albums – American Spring, American Fall, and American Reckoning – and Propaghandi's Victory Lap
Not really a summer record but Propagandhi - Supporting Caste has some nice production imo. I love the blasting room.
I'm a huge fan of Sapone's production on the last two Crime in Stereo records but I'm not totally sure if that fits your bill or not.