GREAT QUESTION! I will break down what I think are some of the best drum sounds ever recorded.

Wet 70's sound:
Steely Dan - Aja
Song - Aja
Steve Gadd playing one of the smoothest drum solos ever. The drums sound warm and properly "thuddy".

Drums as a lead instrument:
Metallica - And Justice For All
Song - Blackened, One (any for that matter)
EQ'ing the drums they purposely went for a very quick, trebbly sound that is very up front in the mix. Normally sounds aweful, but works flawlessly on this album.

Over Produced 80's sound:
Power Station - The Power Station
Song - Bring It On (Bang A Gong)
Drummer Tony Thompson and Producer Bernard Edwards create enormous gated drum sounds that were copied for years.

High End Crack:
Yes - 90125
Song - Owner Of A Lonely Heart
Producer Trevor Horn completely changed how Yes sounded and drummer Alan White in particular.

Jazz:
Dave Brubeck Quartet - Time Out
Song - Take Five
During the drum solo you can hear the room in NYC where they record. Beautiful.

Huge:
Led Zeppelin - IV
Song - When The Levee Breaks
Bonzo creates one of the largest sounding drum recordings ever. Heavy and funky.

Darn Near Perfect:
Soundgarden - Badmotorfinger
Song - Outshined (or any)
Quite simply one of the most well recorded drum sounds ever. Huge kick drum, snappy snare and warmth all over the place. Listen to the kick and snare during the breakdown in Outshined to feel the magic.

I could literally go on for hours, but I believe this to be a good starting point!

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