I have reached what seemed to be final mixes yesterday, but have since decided to rework the drum programs. The feedback that I have gotten thus far is good, but the thing that keeps coming up is realistic, but repetitive drum programs. Due to the nature of programmed drums, you end up with the exact same drum hits over and over again. Real drummers, even the best of them, will vary the velocity from one hit to the next. I have begun reprogramming all of the drum tracks, varying each hit and better utilizing the multi-velocity samples that are in the drum sets I created in Battery.
The result will be a much more organic sounding album, with less drum machiny distractions.
I am now about 6 hours into this part of the project and have two songs done. This and today's release of GTA IV for PC will most likely mean a week's delay in posting Sour Grapes on the site for your perusal.
The album art looks good, so far. I don't know if I will be making changes or not. Usually there are more images involved, but this time it's just one, a theme that is repeated in various fashions on each panel, front insert, rear insert, tray liner, and CD face.