Bands whose singers rule - despite popular opinion

[cableguy]

Originally Posted by anton72

Chris Cornell IMO is one of the most recognized rock vocals. He has balls. Same for me as John Kelly from Stereophonics, one of the most underrated British bands today.

Also listen to some of Chris's stuff with just him and his acoustic guitar. Love his take on Billie Jean and Zeps Thanks you. The guy has soooo much talent. But then I'm from Seattle so maybe I'm a homer......

[MarkMgibson]

Originally Posted by cableguy

Also listen to some of Chris's stuff with just him and his acoustic guitar. Love his take on Billie Jean and Zeps Thanks you. The guy has soooo much talent. But then I'm from Seattle so maybe I'm a homer......

I watched that movie - Machine Gun Preacher - a couple of months ago, and when I heard the song at the end (The Keeper) I knew his voice straight away. Great song - we played in at a gig 2 weeks later. I really like his acoustic stuff too - I hope he does a lot more of it.

[Nev375]

I actually love singers with weird voices.

I also love singers with normal voices who sing oddly.

Have you heard the band Alt-J? Now there's an odd voice for the haters to hate on, but I love that stuff. Even if he does remind me a bit of an Adam Sandler's "grandma" voice.

[Ayce]

One not mentioned: Yes/Jon Anderson. I thought Geddy was going for his style of high soaring vocals the first time I heard 2112.
Yes w/o J.A. just isn't Yes. Rick was replaced, as was Bill, but they carried on and Yes still sounded right, IMO, with Jon. Once Jon left, that was it for me. Just not the same.

IMO, YMMV, etc.

[HaMMerHeD]

[rtav]

Originally Posted by Silver Blues

My top pick would have to be from a band that I really love that gets ZERO love around these parts, The Black Keys. Dan Auerbach is a great singer IMO, the guy can sound different on every song. My second would be Jesse Hasek of 10 Years, another great band that people don't seem to like.

And big +1 to Queen.

--Silvie

A big +10000 for Queen. Just watch the Freddie Mercury tribute concert when all of these singers (Seal, Elton, etc.) try to cover FM in front of thousands of people... and fail. Nuf sed.

[4dog]

I know what the heading of the OP is but not sure if everyone is following the idea of it,, saying that,, i will say,,

Johnette Napolatano,, concrete blonde
And she plays bass or used too,, whatever.
I know i spelled her name wrong.

[Hamlet7768]

Originally Posted by 4dog

I know what the heading of the OP is but not sure if everyone is following the idea of it,, saying that,, i will say,,

I tried. James LaBrie definitely has a sizable group that hate him. Perhaps they aren't exactly "popular opinion."

And since when is Freddie Mercury hated by popular opinion? If anything I think Queen's become a bit OVER-rated (if such is even possible), and his admittedly great vocals are almost deified. In my experience, at least.

[Cosmeticplagues]

Dead Kennedys. Jello's vocal delivery is just awesome, especially with that crazy vibrato.

Bad Brains. I don't think I've ever heard anybody spit out lyrics as fast as HR.

[NightTripper]

Bob Dylan, then and now. His younger voice was great and his current raspy voice is just awesome. I think his voice has always suited his music perfectly.

David Byrne from Talking Heads and solo. His voice is so unusual and interesting.

Ringo Starr. I recently heard someone say he was the worst singer of the four, but I don't think so at all. There's something jolly and reassuring about his voice.

[Thrill-House]

The one i can think off the top of my head is Brian Johnson of ACDC. I honestly dont understand it, even many AC DC fans think he is some sort of "poser" who can hold a candle of Bon Scott. Its like they wanted AC DC to die when Scott died. You wouldnt believe some of the faces ive gotten when i mention that not only do i like Brian Johnson's voice, but that i actually PREFER it to Bon Scott's!

They also dont like me mentioning that Back in Black is one of the best selling albums of ALL TIME, something like 50 million copies. Hell, this album made AC DC one of the few bands that have continued on with great success after changing singers, which is quite a feat when your original singer had such a distinctive voice!

[MarkMgibson]

"David Byrne"? I'm convinced he's actually Kermit the Frog. Talking Heads should have done a cover of "It's Not Easy Being Green" - they would have made a fortune.

[Roscoe East]

Originally Posted by Lonesomedave

uh....no....not true, AC/DC is alright, but SPRINGSTEIN...never!

i dislike him on so many levels it's truly not funny.

let's just say that he sucks s**t straight out the a**, and leave it at that.

if i never hear another springstein record or mp3 or whatever i will consider myself truly blessed. from his music, to his lyrics, to his singing, to his pol...well let's just leave it at that

i think he sucks on the level of Journey, and that, for me, is saying a lot. as a matter of fact, i think he sucks MORE than journey.

Cool Dave, we can hang.

[Unprofessional]

Originally Posted by 4dog

I know what the heading of the OP is but not sure if everyone is following the idea of it,, saying that,, i will say,,

Johnette Napolatano,, concrete blonde
And she plays bass or used too,, whatever.
I know i spelled her name wrong.

Plus big number. I could listen to her all day long and sometimes do. A very powerful, if not technical, voice.
Saw Concrete Blonde again in 2010. Johnette can still belt it out while holding down the bass line. A very righteous CWB.

[HaMMerHeD]

When people complain to me about "cookie monster" vocals, I remind them of the inexplicable continuing popularity of AC/DC, and they suddenly don't have much to talk about.

[Marley's Ghost]

Creed - Scott Stapp..

















j/k

[4dog]

Originally Posted by Unprofessional

Plus big number. I could listen to her all day long and sometimes do. A very powerful, if not technical, voice.
Saw Concrete Blonde again in 2010. Johnette can still belt it out while holding down the bass line. A very righteous CWB.

Yup me too,, the awesome thing is this,, got to open up for Concrete Blonde AND KingsX ,, same night same venue early 90's,,, houston,,, aweeee damn what an awesome gig,,, prolly my fave in 30 yrs..i was 20 maybe,, lol

[Thrill-House]

Originally Posted by HaMMerHeD

When people complain to me about "cookie monster" vocals, I remind them of the inexplicable continuing popularity of AC/DC, and they suddenly don't have much to talk about.

But they arent really the same at all.

[HaMMerHeD]

Originally Posted by Thrill-House

But they arent really the same at all.

No the same, but not all that different. Brian Johnson and (for example) George Fischer Not the same pitch, but it's the same level of coarseness and intelligibility. Death metal vocals are deep and raspy, and AC/DC is high-pitched and raspy. Neither is particularly intelligible on first listen for your average person.

Point is, they aren't all that different, and yet your average person thinks Brian Johnson is OK, while George Fischer is not.

Personally, I think George's vocal style is a great complement to the musical style of Cannibal Corpse. I am not a fan of pre-Geroge CC.

[inthevelvet]

Never heard of people saying Chris Cornell sucks. I think he's one of the gems of modern rock actually. Especially his acoustic work, as others have mentioned.
Totally agree with the Springsteen hate though. If someone at the local karaoke joint sang like him they'd be booed off stage lol.