I never normalize my audio tracks. I tend to believe if I had to, then, there's a problem with the tracks. Therefore, I pay close attention to proper gain staging. 24bits is a good place to start, and a decent volume level will help to avoid the need to normalize.

The subject is always relevant, I believe..
but this thread is 12 years old :o)

Good advice in here about not necessarily normalizing all your tracks.
 
To the fundamental question by the OP -
 

ba_midi
...However, I think what you're looking for would come...  ...from using mastering software (such as Ozone).

 
^ This +1.  Mastering software will have the compression and EQ features required to get your mix to the same apparent loudness as commercial recordings found on CDs.  Some mastering programs, such as Ozone, are already loaded with template processing for particular music genres, giving you a leg up on getting to where you want to be.

For album projects, I normalize all my tracks. Then upon listening to the album, I reduce the level of tracks that sound too loud in comparison to the others.

Ancient thread alert. June 2004.

Todays music is not only over compressed it is also expanded... that is the quietest sections are made louder in addition to the loudest sections made less loud, hence you have very limited dynamic range (which is unnatural) but what the masses crave.  I for one, hate modern mixes.  Gimme back the old analog stuff from the 70s and 80s and when people actually had to be musicians.
 
But, that's just me.
 
Jim
 
PS - I have seen waveforms of modern popular hits that show a THICK SOLID LINE (no peaks, no valleys). I really hate when they do this to modern re-mixed re-releases from the golden age of rock n roll