20 Exquisitely-Produced Songs That MUST Be Played Loud As Hell
In the words of the immortal David Bowie: "TO BE PLAYED AT MAXIMUM VOLUME."
Despite some of the crimes committed behind a mixing desk in recent years, production doesn't always have to be a liability to artistry. On the contrary, there are a slew of bands out there who can use the powers of the studio to turn already great songs into stunning, meticulously detailed soundscapes. These tracks urge us to turn up the volume so that we can take in every single detail of a recording, from the emotion in the singer's voice to the perfectly rendered balance of the musical arrangement. Back in 1972 when David Bowie dropped "Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars," the vinyl album included a sticker that boldly proclaimed: "TO BE PLAYED AT MAXIMUM VOLUME." The same spirit exists in the 20 tracks here. With the help of a talented producer (or sometimes, several), the artists on this list have managed to create songs that simply need to be heard at high volumes. From classic rock acts who have consistently shot for the arena rafters throughout their careers to modern garage bands whose songs spark with spontaneity and passion, the songs on this list aren't always the most obvious picks or the most well-known tracks. However, they are all united by two factors: perfect production and the need to be played loud.