USB Yeti :/
No interface.
I sang through an f'ing pillow with gain turned all the way down... from 3-4 feet away.
maybe the yeti is not good for singing loud rock songs...?
How do you sing through a pillow?
I asked my sound engineer about your yeti problem and he just puckered his face and said better to get a different mic and a "real" recording interface.
I'm of limited help when it comes to the technical aspects of recording, but can offer a few thoughts: Generally you want to be 6" - 1' away from the mic. The room you're recording in will make a huge difference. Try to be in a smaller space with no sharp/pointy/bouncy edges. Use carpets, hang blankets, etc.
When listening to your second recording I still hear a lot of distortion. Your voice is lovely and needs a good setup to do it justice!
Poked about online and this yeti thread may be helpful:
http://recording.org/index.php?threads/blue-yeti-voice-not-clear.54607/ If the yeti doesn't end up working for you and you decide to go with another mic/interface setup it'd be worth checking into used presonus or mo2u - good deals can often be found on those..