I thought I'd be alone in referencing Steely Dan. For me, now, at my level, it serves 2 functions.

1. As something to work toward. Steely Dan sounds like "winter" to me. My typical mixes have tended to sound like a humid summer, with 100% chance of afternoon Thunderstorms. I can't emulate Steely Dan, but I can work towards that.

2. As a reality check. I can listen to a mix and think I've got it working, then add a mastering preset and BAM--BRIGHTER, FULLER, and having me convinced I'm a genius. Then I listen to the reference track, silently weep, and give it another go.

BIAB 2021 Audiophile. Windows 10 64bit. Songwriter, lyricist, composer(?) loving all styles. Some pre-BIAB music from Farfetched Tangmo Band's first CD. https://alonetone.com/tangmo/playlists/close-to-the-ground