Well I have to say, giving me negative feedback because of a difference of opinion is really disappointing.
In any event...
I come from a younger generation. After listening to your mix, I can tell you that techniques have changed... (according to this type of music) I wouldn't know a thing about jazz, blues, polka or anything but I do understand rock. And I do understand this generation.
1. My vocals are punchy, clear, cut through... the right effects are applied at the right time.
2. The kick punches through (it was sampled from the best... saying it sounds bad is an attack on trombino and the like)
3. I didn't know we were preparing something for a hypothetical mastering, if you want I can post a quieter, uncompressed version. I was producing a product.
4. The main thing is... we are from two very different generations at this point which in turn will give us VERY different opinions. While you may be very good at what you do in the 35-100 year old bracket, it doesn't sound good to me. It sounds like the rest, clearer, and minus reverb. Because of this age difference however, I can't argue that yours sounds bad (it could quite possibly be very good) and I think you can't argue that mine sounds bad (I don't know how you could besides, again, the cheapo master)
5. You are going to be supported by a lot of people, and you deserve it... you have helped a lot of people and have spent a lot of time here... and I in no way mean to discredit what you do. As I've gotten older I've realized that people go through so much crap to get where they are and I respect you for where you stand.
There's just something very indisputable here. I mixed mine the way I did because I thought it sounds the best. I could have gotten those vocals sounding any number of ways... they were juicy, sweet, and scrumptious after I was done with them... but yes I could have kept them nasally. I could have held them to the original disgusting voice. I thought it was unpleasant. I could have used the original kick drum but it didn't push and it wasn't recorded correctly for this type of song so I put a new one in. And I'm guessing you could have mixed yours in many different ways. And I'm sure that a certain group of people will love it. In the end I feel I have no right to attack your mix, and you have no right to attack mine (Unless I really did something wrong, not preferentially, besides the mastering thing which I am taking SO much flak for).
The reason I took offense is because I knew these style differeneces would come up. You have your idols I have mine. I idolize Trombino and Feldman... The Used, Story of the Year, Jimmy Eat World... the kind of music my mix sounds like. I'm sure your mix sounds just like whoever you idolize.
I could talk about this forever... rigid set guidelines for what is right and wrong can only go so far and at a certain point only limits the engineer. I ask that you honestly admit that my mix sounds pleasant though, (except for, again, the compression mastering if you hate it) that although it may not be your thing, you can appreciate the technique and differences. Fast forward to 3:00 and tell me those drums don't sound beautiful.
Again, thanks for your response and please don't leave negative feedback because of a disagreement on style. Anyone who agrees with me, feel free to support me and lets keep this civilized and honest. (Thanks Jazzmang)