Prodigal Son- by Scandalous Grace

I like the sound of the acoustic on the left. The lead that comes in before the vocal is a tad overpowering. There's not much difference in the tonal qualities between the part that sounds like the verse and the part right after it that sounds more like a chorus...it's all the same instrumentation, tone and level. Maybe you could shake things up a bit there with some different textures. There's not a lot of space in the mix...it's dense...like every part wants to fire all the time every time. That's all I have for now. 

I agree with Supa. There's a good song in there, but if that piano was done with midi, I would try a different patch. It sounds like an upright piano, and I just didn't care for the sound of it, and that kind of sets the tone for the song. Wasn't real taken with the lead guitar sound either to be honest. I would roll back on the volume control to soften up the tone a bit and get more of that dreamy Robin Trower "Daydream" vibe going. The song's not bad the way it is, but a few changes in tone would take it to a much higher plane in my opinion.
 
Bill

Thanks Guys for listening.  I mixed this one in Studio One, which is brand new to me.  Having such a huge learning curve has distracted me some from listening critically to the mix.  I will make some tweaks to some of the tracks.  I am not moving to Studio One, but am trying to be proficient in multiple DAW's.
 
By the way, the piano, according to Reece, is a Grand Piano; I think its just the style of play, jabbing at the keys.  I asked him to give me something in the style of How My Guitar Gently Weeps and I felt like he nailed it.  
 
The first lead guitar, I will try to tame with some EQ, but I'm not going to re-track the entire Lead.  It is mic'd from a real amp, so its not a simple tweak.  Funny enough, no one has complained about my guitar tone for over 5 years....until I mic'd a real amp.     
 
I will let everyone know when I post an updated mix.
 
 

That's a lot better. Drums may be a bit too loud when they first come in.

Glad to know that the midi are safe.  

Hey Mike, this is a good demo of your song -- the vocals sit well in the mix and the sound is clearly defined.  Sure, there can be a nit here and there with guitar tone or whatnot but that's a matter of taste.  (That said, the guitar tone on the break is very nice.)  
~Allan
 
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Captain Able was once again manning the bridge on the mightly Songship as it plowed through the putrid soundwaves on the roiling -- but never rocking -- Sea of Sterile Pastiche.  Suddenly, Able heard an all too familiar sound coming from the hull of the ship -- an irritating droning croaking whiny sound that cheapened the senses.  Able quickly covered his ears while shouting to his navigator "It's those damned Barnacles -- they're trying to sully and sink the Songship.  Full speed ahead!"
 
Down below, The Barnacles -- Blahpoop, Steryl69, and Synkophant -- were desperately attempting to cling to the Songship in order to sink the towering song vessel.  And, as usual, they were accompanied by their faithful floating beta consorts, The Attaboys, led by Dymm with assistance from EphYOU.
 
As The Barnacles attached their tentacles to the hull of the Songship, they unleashed  a torrent of (f)artless lyrics which were delivered in a tuneless -- although auto-tuned -- fashion.  These dirges, sung without style, were accompanied by tinker toy faux reggae sounds which were grounded by thumps.  The Attaboys circled and cooed encouragement in the murky waters surrounding the Songship.
 
Able called out for the crew to ready for battle.  Soon, the air on deck sparkled as the Songship's crew played melodic song after song in various styles and arrangements.  Tuneful vocals singing well-versed lyrics rang out with resonance and interesting phrasing.  There was no need for auto-tune and the like.  Confronted again with the Songship's lack of banality, The Barnacles were driven into a furor.  Their only was to increase the volume of their monkey-like screeching.  In the midst of this cacophony The Attaboys -- having been given strict orders through underwater sonar messaging -- fell silent.
 
Nearly overcome by the mediocrity assaulting his ears, Captain Able deftly guided the Songship away from the area where The Attaboys were floating.  He then ordered the crew to increase the melodic sounds emanating from the deck.  Overcome by contact with actual talent, The Barnacles could not sustain their attack and fell from the hull into the swirling soundwave abyss. The Attaboys, floating leaderless, continued to comment amongst themselves about The Barnacles' greatness, but to no avail.  The Barnacles lay quiet at the bottom of the Sea of Sterile Pastiche, brought down once again by their own banality.
 
The Songship continued gliding into fresher waters guided by the most able Captain Able as new sounds were carried by fresh breezes across the newly christened Sea of Good Songs.
 

Good stuff chaps. 
The vocal reminds me of a long lost Tom Petty song - uncanny.
 

daryl1968
Good stuff chaps. 
The vocal reminds me of a long lost Tom Petty song - uncanny.
 

 
Daryl- Thanks for the listen.  I get the Petty comment a lot.  It's definitely not intentional on my part.  I have also been known to get a little Lennonism in my voice from time to time.  I guess it all goes back to your roots.