the problem i see with phil eck is that he's perfect for built to spill, but everything is is mixed perfectly for built to spill.......it just doesn't always work
his work with modest mouse i do enjoy. and i like how he presents the band as a little weirder then they are.....which for them, is pretty weird....hahaha
the mixes just have no lowend
same with ed rose.....no lowend
with ed, the mixes are balanced really well until you get to the vocal.....it's mixed so far back you might as well have not cut a vocal track.
i've often thought of ed's work as "close but no cigar" to earlier andy wallace mixes
the guitars are loud, in your face and the drums are right there.....great rock balance, but wheres the bass.........
and andy gets the vocal up nice a hot, and has AWESOME reverbs and delays......ed's reverbs sound like bad factory presets
but hey....what do i know.