Mixing, like cooking, is a matter of taste...
I just listened to your mix of "Juliet" (on my home computer and mid-grade comp speakers) and here's my observations:
First and foremost... you've lost the intimacy of the song by burying the vocals behind the guitars. Maybe it's just the way it's coming across my home computer...
Even during the background vox, you're not high enough in the mix. The background vox, IMHO, should help to orchestrate you.
I also think it's too busy.
Of course, you already know my feelings about bringing the bass and drums in later. Let me tell you my reasoning -
This is a love song... sung from the heart - sung to one person. That's what makes it so intimate... and part of the reason I left out the first set of background vox on my mixes.
Bringing in the other sound sources to help support the song... not overpower it. In this mix... the song is overpowered by the content.
BTW, you voice is supposed to be rough around the edges in a song like this! Think about it.... you spent ten years unable to pick up the phone and call this woman - yet you're going to sing to her in a "polished" sort of way? Nope.
Chris, believe it or not... you are NOT going to be the best person to judge your singing technique or mixing level. Maybe someone else's... just not YOURS.
Everyone I have had listen to "Juliet" thought your voice was PERFECT for this song. Olivia referred to as the having the right "roughness"... but then again, she's hearing impaired!
(seriously, she is...)
If you don't believe me about the over-orchestration.... try listening without any vocals. Does the music stand on it's own? Of course not! The vox ARE the song. It's the part the listener makes the connection with. Don't mess that up!
After listening to your mix several times while typing this, I just threw my last mix on... and although there is a lot of work left on the individual tracks (like de-essing, EQ, and such) the basic concept of arrangement and mix levels are better framed around the vocals.
Naturally, you wouldn't like my mix - because I put you up front.
But that's where you belong, my friend.
BTW, are you planning on making the Jamfest?
