70s vs. 80s

Awhile ago I mentioned the amazing production on those classic INXS albums from the 80s. Now, of course it is an especially 80s sound: the huge drums, the slick keyboards, the sax solos, the reverb and compression heavy sound. Reading Perfecting Sound Forever recently, this 80s sound was contrasted with the dry, natural, present sound of the 70s best exemplified by Steely Dan - a sound where you can actually picture (an especially practised and slick) band playing real instruments. Now, listening to Hall and Oates, I can say that they really straddle the line - some of the sounds are really dry and unprocessed - the vocals even sometimes - where other sounds have those 80s touchstones. After thinking about and listening for the contrast between the two eras of "perfect" sound, it is a little jarring to hear it in the same song.