It would be convenient to clarify some concepts before start, but let's get it simple: I'll understand production as the sum of the artistic production itself + EQ-mixing + mastering. Just to not get too muddier here. In no particular order and not caring about genres/eras:
- Pet Sounds, by The Beach Boys. Produced by Brian Wilson. I think he even got better when produced the single Good Vibrations. He was a total master in terms of dynamics. Thinking about it, and about what he was able to achieve (also other producers and bands of those years, of course), and just when recording techniques and studios were technologically light years away from what we have now... it just blows my mind.
- For Emma, Forever Ago, by Bon Iver. Produced by Justin Vernon. Basically recorded in an isolated house at the mountains. Initially conceived as demos, those recordings ended up being the final album, except for some little arrangements ere and there, which were lately added on the studio. Noting else was altered or changed. Not even re-recorded.
- In Utero, by Nirvana. Produced by Steve Albini. In its recent 20th anniversary re-release, I loved to hear the Albini's mixes for Heart Shaped Box and All Apologies, which were re-mixed by Scott Litt for its original release. About this record and its production I like how the band turned off their backs to Nevermind's sound, just to offer a rawer/thrasher/punker? version of themselves, but keeping a warm core and sound.
- A Night At The Opera, y Queen. Produced by Roy Thomas Baker and Queen. The album itself was a total landmark. And although the production, itself, was nothing new (it was heavily influenced by the production of albums like IV by Led Zeppelin), they, somehow, were able to twist that a little bit more. Multi layered vocals and instruments, mixed in a way that sounds pretty natural and wide. The sound on that album, today, still sounds fresh and real.
About more modern records, although this is an unpopular opinion for the old-school fans of blink, I think Enema Of The State was nearly achieving the perfect spot for blink IMO, but finally it got fully engaged on the volume war, so that's the reason why I'd preffer Dude Ranch's production over it, probably. Is not like Dude Ranch is not over peaked, but due to its more simpler approach and 'darker' sound, it's less evident. so the album breathes a little bit more.
Also, I like too Motion City Soundtrack's Commit This To Memory. Still amazes me how Mark was able to do that and the PAWS record and now, well.
I agree about Clarity too. Sweet songwriting there, strong album and really good approach on production.
Also, I really like Green Day's Dookie/Insomniac production. I think on Dookie they achieved their best sound.
Overall this is my take on this subject. There are other aproductions I like, of course, but thinking about them, and others which are, at least, as well produced as those. The same applies for modern ones. Understanding how moder stadards apply now, and how some artists avoid that, there are some good productions out there. In this regard, and in my opinion, the battle now is not that much on the 'artistic' side, which is important, of course, but on the 'volume' war side of the story. Because you can have a record which has been produced artistically to your taste, or being really interesting and good, but being also ruined by an outrageous mixing and mastering.