Each song is unique. Polished or "not so polished". There are plenty of examples of music in history that are unfinished or raw or overly produced or unusual in some manner and they still work on some level. Don't get caught up in production. Just record what you got and do what you do and apply what you know! Your taste will dictate what comes out and the listeners' taste will do the rest. Each piece of music is organic to a certain extent. Let it be that. If you think a little compression will work on this track or that, then use it! It's all good! Taste will ultimately prevail from the writers' perspective as well as the listeners', so use your best judgement!
Although I have to say that I'm getting sick of hearing canyon-like echo and reverb on vocals. It will kill a song almost every time. One has to hear the vocals dry and then add on effects as needed.
Agreed, I think I should amend my comments to add that, everything should be done "dry", first, and then add or subtract from there. Remember, ultimately you want to perform live, so try to make what you do viable from that perspective. If you want the intimate interaction that only a live audience can give.
