How to find the good CD recordings?

Original CD pressings from the 1980's are a real sonic joy and Remasters, unfortunately or at least 9 times out of 10 sound like absolute rubbish. In the event of remastering, the recordings themselves are just made 'louder' which follows suit to the so called 'loudness Wars'. The decimation of the cd's warm character was destroyed around 1997 when music mastering for the cd in general took on a whole new persona. Above all, It is really quite sad really. 
Long story short. Stick with original cd pressings. Most of the comments are on here that I've read are absolutely right on the money. 
My advice. If you plan to buy a cd that was recorded after 1997 go to drloundnesswarinfo.com
it is a pretty good database of info that tells you the DR value of the piece of music you are interested in. 
Lastly. I must share one remaster that is actually far superior than that of the original and that is Metallica's 2017 remaster of Master of puppets. It wasn't made 'louder' it is an actual proper remaster. Fixed the bloated low end of the guitars that really took over. The sharp treble from the cymbal crashes lost its heavy bite and the vocals were smoothed out slightly. Everything a great mastering job should do! Check it out and happy cd hunting! 

If there is one thing I know. It is great recordings so if you wish for me to give some suggestions to you, especially in Prog rock I'm so happy to help. 

-nicholas

@shadorne 

++1 on your recommendation. I would say very well composed, played, sung and produced americana. Nice warm organic sound. Live feeling. Even the harmonica! Curs of Lono have great harmonies and impressing sound landscape with lots of interesting details. You could almost believe Daniel Lanois was sitting there behind the controlboard. Hope they will make a hit song! Other favourites:
France Gall - Concert public - Concert privé 
Pretenders - Live at the Isle of view
Guy Clark - Keepers - A live recording
Little Feat - Waiting for Columbus (PLAY LOUD!! - not best quality though...)
Enjoy!

Thanks for all the great advice and discussion folks. I'm still all ears.

Okay Nicholas, how about dropping the names of your 5 favorite prog rock CDs? Or more if you have the time.

I looked up my Zeppelin CDs on the dynamic range database. My 1990 Zep I Diament did not rate very well, but II and III by Diament and IV by Page all rated very high.

I'm going to look for a Physical Graffiti CD next. I'll use the database but open to suggestions as well.

I have all of their major releases on vinyl but most of those are worn out. I have two In Through the Out Door albums. One is still in the brown rapper and the sleeve is unmolested by water so it is in decent shape. The others were mishandled......and played on a record changer stacked high! Remember those?

One can’t help wondering how many Led Zeppelin CDs and LPs over the years were mastered in Reverse Polarity. I bet a bunch.