Under-rated/over-rated vocalists

[smtp4me]

Benjamin Orr, bass player for The Cars, under-rated. He sang on some of their most known/most popular songs.

 

[mindwell]

Overrated: Alicia Keys.
Underrated: Lady Gaga.

 

[Bunk McNulty]

He's not over-rated. He's not under-rated. He's invisible. He's one of the great soul singers. Who's even heard of Pat McLaughlin?

 

[skyline_01]

Too many under/over to list but here's one each off the top of my head:

Underrated: Mickey Thomas (IMO he makes everything sound completely effortless)

Overrated: Axl

 

[two fingers]

Overrated? For me it has to be Sade. Lots of long notes, no inflection, no vibrato or any other indication that there's any emotion being emoted there, and very limited range. But I know lots of people just love her.

Underrated, it's hard to say. There are probably many. I think Pink has a fabulous voice but she's overlooked a lot because she's a pop star.

Both fantastic examples.

 

[two fingers]

Any claim whatsoever that there was "singing" on Nirvana albums is overrating. Period.

 

[Frank Tuesday]

Underrated: Bilal
At least in the greater world. He's a first call vocalist when The Roots, Kendrick Lamar, Erykah Badu, etc. need someone to sing on a track.

 

[G On Bass]

Under-rated: Pink. She has an amazing voice. Would love to hear her do a Jazz/Blues/Soul record.

Over-rated: Any and all singers these days who need auto-tune.

 

[Humbled]

Overrated—Kim Carnes. Anything above a 0 on a scale of ten is overrating her. Can’t belief anyone ever thought that voice should be recorded.

I'm told she was encouraged to chain-smoke an entire pack of cigarettes before recording Bette Davis Eyes, and the first vocal take was used. I was fairly astonished when it ended up as Billboard's #1 for 1981. I guess it's testament to character over technicals, and never underestimating the acumen of the record-buying public.

 

[Vooter]

Underrated: Ronnie Van Zant, Fee Waybill

Overrated: Anyone who warbles...

 

[bassliner50]

Catherine Russell may be the best singer I've run into in the past 5 years. Why isn't she praised all over all media? People should riot in the street for more. Madeleine Peyroux is another one.Keep standards high. Celebrate real gifts and talent.

 

[Humbled]

Under-known: Invalid Link Removed.

 

[MCDufour]

Underrated: Linda Perry.

Seriously, I was curious as to what 4 Non Blondes sounded like besides "What's Up?". I'm pleasantly surprised and I don't get how it happened that they were a one hit wonder. (Bassist Christa Hillhouse is solid too)

 

[The Mogpipe]

Would you mind telling me in which universe anyone once claimed that he was was a great singer?

Exactly!! Seen him listed as over rated a couple times now. Can't recall anyone ever touting him as a great vocalist.

 

[slamsinger]

Underrated tommy Shaw

 

[mmon77]

Exactly!! Seen him listed as over rated a couple times now. Can't recall anyone ever touting him as a great vocalist.

I can recall it very well. When he killed himself, every Nirvana fan I know was going on and on about what a genius he was and how much of an amazing singer he was. People still do.

Edit: Apparently Rolling Stone thinks so too (emphasis mine):
"The Nirvana frontman's career lasted only a handful of years, but he's inarguably one of the greatest songwriters of the past few decades. What's often overlooked is just how amazing a singer he was. Watch him sing "Where Did You Sleep Last Night" from Unplugged In New York to see a perfect example of his stunning vocal abilities. Few people have ever been able to match the passion and intensity he pours into the final verse."

Quote taken from here.

 

[Sixgunn]

Kind of a follow-up to my "musicians you appreciate but don't like" thread, who are some truly under-rated (and over-rated) vocalists?

I nominate Ann Wilson of Heart as most under-rated. Early Heart is so powerful. As a runner up I nominate (as I prepare to duck the slings and arrows) Meatloaf. Yes, his music was overly bombastic, but the dude had a set of pipes.

Most over-rated? Ozzy Osbourne. Heck of a front man, but not a talented vocalist at all. I remember reading an interview of Tommy Iommi, where he said there was a reason they didn't put out live albums with him as vocalist.

I don't think Ann is under rated at all. She's generally regarded (and rightly so) as the queen of rock.

 

[stringthrough]

Underated, overated, by whom, professional critics, the general public, TB members. So useless..... I like the quality of Sade's voice very much, but she has, at best, a two octave range and I've yet to hear her produce a vibrato. There are also many millions who can out-sing her at a technical level in a shower. So how should she be rated?

Again, so useless a discussion matter.

 

[Sixgunn]

There is an ocean of talented professionally trained vocalists who basically work in the shadows. And a lot of African American singers in the gospel style with awesome chops. Throw Annie Lennox and Michael McDonald in for good measure.

I really hated the non-stop falsetto.

 

[JeezyMcNuggles]

Kind of a follow-up to my "musicians you appreciate but don't like" thread, who are some truly under-rated (and over-rated) vocalists?

I nominate Ann Wilson of Heart as most under-rated. Early Heart is so powerful. As a runner up I nominate (as I prepare to duck the slings and arrows) Meatloaf. Yes, his music was overly bombastic, but the dude had a set of pipes.

Most over-rated? Ozzy Osbourne. Heck of a front man, but not a talented vocalist at all. I remember reading an interview of Tommy Iommi, where he said there was a reason they didn't put out live albums with him as vocalist.

Axel Rose, Anthony Kiedis, Fred Durst, Adam Lavigne, Gwen Stefani, Stevie Nix.

Very overrated.