Hi Strunz0,

I'm giving it a listen now...I like the 'deadness' of the recording (if that makes any sense). Reminds me of a band I can't think of right now. How's that for help? :)

Okay, here's my stream-of consciousness critique:

I like your recording approach. I think, for the most part (a cymbal, which I mention later) you've got good material here for a great mix.

The playing is good...I like the singer's voice. Anybody that doesn't sound like Eddie Vedder (like EVERY male rock singer nowadays) is a welcome change for me. Sounds inspired by Bowie, no? Not that it matters. I think you should compress the vox so they're not jumping out of the mix. But keep them up there, level-wise.

I think the drums sound pretty good but there's an irritating cymbal on the right hand side which really distracts. Was it somehow processed or something? It's too distinctive to be happening all the time. The drummer's a great player. I would generally bring up the kick, toms and snare (compressing them a little to make them more even-sounding, not too much), but don't touch the overheads. It's a very bright sound, you don't want to make it brittle.

I think, at the same time, the bass and guitar are a little under-represented. The compression on the drums I suggest mainly to bring them under control a bit, so that they're not jumping out of nowhere into the middle of the song when they shouldn't.

I think the bass and the kick drum should really be locked together. The snare could use some front-and-centre-ness. Compress it so that it's knocking out the beat to this song. It's well recorded, but it's very dynamic. The compression will make it a touch more reliable in the mix. Great tone on it, though.

The guitars could also come up a bit. Once you compress the vox down you can do this without crowding them too much.

Basically, I think the mix needs more drive, more thump. The bass should really be playing off of the kit. It's a song that is a little twisty-turny, so a solid bottom to anchor the tune is very important.

So, how do you do this?

In short: The bass, kick and snare should run the rhythm section. make it so. The vox sits over this, to give the song a reason. Guitar fills out the mid-section. Put 'em in afterward, however. Get a rocking mix with the first elements, then fit the guitars in there.

There's my brain-dump. Take it for what it's worth! :)

I took a listen and...agree with edna..on most of the technical issues. Better use of compression and soundstage would help here. The vocalist is strong but goes off pitch several times (to my ear). I like the fullness of the guitar sounds. As for the song...I just don't find much interest. It was all I could do to keep paying attention. Is this why it is named nothing song? (witness the line: "I have yet to be orignal...") I hear hundreds of songs by so many bands and its tough to make a memorable lyric or melody line and this one unfortunately has neither. The music bed has some promise though.
Keep getting the nice cymbal sounds.
My 3 cents.