my example, i dont think he had high end gear. It is HR and he uses Logic and did the mixing too.
I agree the band was refreshed and had a lot more fun and are a lot happier with the results than the last time it was DIY all the way, or when they did one song at the "big studio"..
one thing sticks out that I heard about this guy was he's done 6 albums this year, and he tours with a band, so in slang...his chops are in shape...hes in tune...hes on fire....hes not crusty...hes in form, etc.. like a band that practices and plays live all the time they get "tight", smooth, in the groove and all that. Hes putting in the time.
thats tune 1, and I compare it to the "big studio SSL4000" song they did before, and this one is a lot better. weird...these skills can be.