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Under-rated/over-rated vocalists
- Thread starter buldog5151bass
- Start date
It took me quite a few years of my early adulthood and as a musician to realize that almost any vocalist that can sing in a band and have it sound good as a cohesive piece is worth their salt.
Saying that, there are vocalists that aren’t “great” in a universal sense to most. My old band, our vocalist used to talk smack about guys like Mick Jagger and certain vocalists like that. It really used to get under my skin. I’m just thinking, you’re right on one level, no, Mick Jagger isn’t the best singer in the world. But what he’s a part of, helped shape and change rock n roll as we know it today. Meanwhile he’s over there singing and sounding like total a$$ but it’s ok because he thinks he can sing. He did have his moments. But he never trained or learned how to use his voice properly. Which lead me to using constructive criticism to try and remedy that. Which ended up being, what I think, one of the reasons he left the band and it ended. I do consider Mick to be one the best rock vocalists of all time. Add his stage presence and person to a stage, one of the best. Love the Stones. Def more of a Beatles fan but I still realize how good the Stones are.
Kurt Cobain, some just don’t get it. I think he was also one of the best rock/alternative vocalists ever. He knew how to write great melodies and songs and wasn’t afraid to use primal and raw energy to deliver his music. There are so many things that make up a “great” vocalist IMO. It’s not just the fact that they can sing well. That always helps! Of course. But I feel like a lot of people just don’t get it when it comes to people like Kurt Cobain or someone like that.
But IMO, I think Mike Patton is one of the most underrated vocalists in a long time. There are many out there that know of him and his talents. But he’s def under the radar and or not recognized as one of the greatest vocalists around.
As far as underrated vocalists, I can’t really say there’s either in my eyes. You get it, or you don’t. Just because you think someone sucks doesn’t mean they do or that they don’t fit into someone’s opinion of what a “great singer” is. If they are out there, doing their thing, and attracting attention from the masses, gain an audience, they are doing “great” to me. It’s a really subjective and relative thing to speak about.
Saying that, there are vocalists that aren’t “great” in a universal sense to most. My old band, our vocalist used to talk smack about guys like Mick Jagger and certain vocalists like that. It really used to get under my skin. I’m just thinking, you’re right on one level, no, Mick Jagger isn’t the best singer in the world. But what he’s a part of, helped shape and change rock n roll as we know it today. Meanwhile he’s over there singing and sounding like total a$$ but it’s ok because he thinks he can sing. He did have his moments. But he never trained or learned how to use his voice properly. Which lead me to using constructive criticism to try and remedy that. Which ended up being, what I think, one of the reasons he left the band and it ended. I do consider Mick to be one the best rock vocalists of all time. Add his stage presence and person to a stage, one of the best. Love the Stones. Def more of a Beatles fan but I still realize how good the Stones are.
Kurt Cobain, some just don’t get it. I think he was also one of the best rock/alternative vocalists ever. He knew how to write great melodies and songs and wasn’t afraid to use primal and raw energy to deliver his music. There are so many things that make up a “great” vocalist IMO. It’s not just the fact that they can sing well. That always helps! Of course. But I feel like a lot of people just don’t get it when it comes to people like Kurt Cobain or someone like that.
But IMO, I think Mike Patton is one of the most underrated vocalists in a long time. There are many out there that know of him and his talents. But he’s def under the radar and or not recognized as one of the greatest vocalists around.
As far as underrated vocalists, I can’t really say there’s either in my eyes. You get it, or you don’t. Just because you think someone sucks doesn’t mean they do or that they don’t fit into someone’s opinion of what a “great singer” is. If they are out there, doing their thing, and attracting attention from the masses, gain an audience, they are doing “great” to me. It’s a really subjective and relative thing to speak about.
He does have a great voice.
His choices in projects are a little questionable for me, but the man has pipes.
Over rated: Most of them.
That isn't to say that they don't have a good voice. I just don't see them as more important than any other component of a band.
EDIT:
As I go through this list, I'm finding that people don't really understand how important context is to the tone of any instrument, including vocals.
Do\did Ozzy, Kurt Cobain, or any number of others have a "true" singing voice with absolute perfect pitch? No. Are they supposed to. No.
You don't use strat on the clean channel of a Fender Twin reverb to play heavy music. Similarly, you don't play an 8 string Schecter through a Mesa Triple Rec on meltdown mode to play adult contemporary.
Frank Mullen of Suffocation probably can't carry a tune in a bucket, but he has a growl that would make the uninitiated crap their drawers. In the right context that is awesome, in the wrong context is it horrifying.
That isn't to say that they don't have a good voice. I just don't see them as more important than any other component of a band.
EDIT:
As I go through this list, I'm finding that people don't really understand how important context is to the tone of any instrument, including vocals.
Do\did Ozzy, Kurt Cobain, or any number of others have a "true" singing voice with absolute perfect pitch? No. Are they supposed to. No.
You don't use strat on the clean channel of a Fender Twin reverb to play heavy music. Similarly, you don't play an 8 string Schecter through a Mesa Triple Rec on meltdown mode to play adult contemporary.
Frank Mullen of Suffocation probably can't carry a tune in a bucket, but he has a growl that would make the uninitiated crap their drawers. In the right context that is awesome, in the wrong context is it horrifying.
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It's probably been said already, but Mike Patton can do anything...
And not just a little bit, he does everything well with more style than most can muster in one genre.
Also Craig Wedren / Shudder to Think deserve far more kudos than they receive on every level, but the vocals really stand out. (the Pony Express album is the most important one if you're in discovery mode)
And not just a little bit, he does everything well with more style than most can muster in one genre.
Also Craig Wedren / Shudder to Think deserve far more kudos than they receive on every level, but the vocals really stand out. (the Pony Express album is the most important one if you're in discovery mode)
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this post nails it for me, and well said.
i just would have called most of the responses to this thread (including the op’s premiss) as ignorant at best and stupid at worst. i still just might...
my guess is that most of the posters couldn’t carry a tune if their life depended on it. but anyway... crap on, people, crap on. feels good, doesn’t it?
Kudos to the TB'ers who mentionned Devin Townsend and Tatiana from Jinjer. Amazing modern metal vocalists who'd make Ronnie James Dio proud. 
Way overrated (to me): Neil Diamond. Listening to the guy singing is like listening to someone dying a slow and painful death.
Way overrated (to me): Neil Diamond. Listening to the guy singing is like listening to someone dying a slow and painful death.
See, that's the thing. I would much rather have a great frontman that is an average singer vs a great singer with no skills to work a crowd.
It's gratifying that the first response in this thread mentions the one guy I find to be the most over rated of all time.
Absolutely +1
Maybe nothing I've read here better illustrates the fact that assessment of musical quality (and artistic quality in general) is subjective.
I cant believe someone brought up Rhett Forrester. Riot was my first introduction into "heavy metal"! Then along came Quirt Riot and and unfortunately Riot went away. Swords & Tequila RIP Rhett!!
- Jul 7, 2010
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Actually Riot dropped out till 88 then came THUNDERSTEEL!....Can you say faster faster faster?...lol
I can't agree with the projects part of this. I def am not into everything he does. But I love most of it and appreciate what I can't get into. The guy has a very eclectic style and he chooses projects that get him off. I highly respect. That's also probably why a lot of people still don't know who he is. I know he is pretty poplar still. But I still don't believe most "get it" when it comes to him. But yes, dude has some serious range. And FNM is one of the best rock bands of all time. Had to get that in there
I'm referring to vocal range and singing in tune. I personally like a fair amount of her catalog. Dianne Reeves is a singer... Barbera Streisand is a vocalist... Hmmm... I would even give Taylor Swift more ability so I'll stick with vocal execution and texture over ocular distractions... Sir...
Over-rated and Under- rated? Who are these people that rate everything and how do I apply for that job?
