This band had the misfortune of releasing mainstream pop/rock music amid the escalating loudness war in the 1990s and 2000s, which usually meant there would be varying degrees of [brick walling](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Gmex_4hreQ) involved in the mastering process to make the songs louder than whatever played previously on the radio. The overall dynamic range situation is fine until 1998's *Heart*, but it starts to get worse from there. The DR readings begin to dip down to 3-5 dB and songs are [clipping out the wazoo](https://slow.pics/c/XowaS4lm), with the worst offenders being 2000's *Real*, 2007's *Kiss*, and 2012's *Butterfly*. For these six albums, the 2014 Hi-Res remasters beat the original CD masterings on dynamic range compression either partially or on every song. I didn't notice any massive EQ differences between the masterings, so the often lesser compression seems to be the biggest change with the Hi-Res versions.
I've also made this more comprehensive list of the most dynamic versions of each album that might be useful for some. I can upload this compiled stuff too if someone wants them.
All '90s singles not on albums - original single CD
1993 Dune - original CD
1994 Tierra - original CD
1995 Heavenly - original CD
1996 True - original CD
1998 Heart - original CD
1999 ark:
1. Forbidden Lover - 1998 single CD
2. Heaven's Drive - 1999 single CD
3. Driver's High - original CD
4. Cradle - Hi-Res remaster
5. Dive to Blue - 1998 single CD
6. Larva - Hi-Res remaster
7. Butterfly's Sleep - Hi-Res remaster
8. Perfect Blue - Hi-Res remaster
9. 真実と幻想と - Hi-Res remaster
10. What is Love - original CD
11. Pieces - 1999 single CD (single mix) (album mix clips more. Hi-Res remaster is best for it)
1999 ray:
1. 死の灰 - original CD
2. It's the End - original CD
3. Honey - 1998 single CD
4. Sell My Soul - Hi-Res remaster
5. Snow Drop - Hi-Res remaster
6. L'heure - Hi-Res remaster
7. 花葬 - 1998 single CD
8. 浸食 (lose control) - 1998 single CD
9. いばらの涙 - Hi-Res remaster
10. The Silver Shining - Hi-Res remaster
2000 Real - Hi-Res remaster
2004 Smile - original CD
2005 Awake:
1. New World - Hi-Res remaster
2. Lost Heaven - original CD
3. 叙情詩 - Hi-Res remaster
4. Trust - original CD
5. Killing Me - Hi-Res remaster
6. As One - original CD
7. My Dear - Hi-Res remaster
8. Existence - original CD
9. 自由への招待 - original CD
10. Ophelia - Hi-Res remaster
11. 星空 - Hi-Res remaster
12. Twinkle, Twinkle - original CD
2007 Kiss - Hi-Res remaster
2012 Butterfly - Hi-Res remaster
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theprion