I didn't say VH1 sounded perfect - whatever that even means. I'm saying the mix - as is - - nearly perfectly captures the energy and goal of the music. Two very different things in my mind.
Yes, you could throw lots of tracks at me that sound more bassy than VH1 (or most of VH's catalog). But who else had EVH and his massive sound?
Again, mixes are trade-offs - and not just aurally. They have to suit the artistic purpose too. And a big bottom-end on VH1 would have made it sound more anemic, not more powerful. Just listen to the earlier demo versions of those songs with more - as you call it - "sonic balance". More bass and bass drum and doubled guitars in the mix - but less emphasis on Ed and Dave. And they don't have near the energy and power of the final mixes. They sound closer to some unmemorable 80s hair band than VH1.
I'll say it again, Templeton and Landee knew what they were doing. And they were trying to create a great rock album, not satisfy people who spent too much time listening to their speakers and not enough actually listening to the music.
