The second song is a bit better and I get what you are trying to achieve more from that. I am still not totally convinced but I get it a bit more.
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What do you think about my band's singer?
- Thread starter altarsofmadness
- Start date
Eek.. I can't think of I nice way to put it.. Good luck fella..
Yeah, genres aside, even inside the genre you fit into, the guy needs to work on staying on key A LITTLE BIT anyway. Some said it, it does work for some vocalists to use this method of singing, but in this particular case, it doesn't work very well. My hats off to you guys for putting yourselves out there, we all do that. But there has to me a point where reality hits and you realize something's not working/needs to be tweaked.
The support you have for your singer shows your good character. keep that when you get into your next band, conviction can be infectious and can make up for a whole lot of everything else.
The songs you write don't have to define you. just don't quit!
The songs you write don't have to define you. just don't quit!
I know I'm probably in the minority here, but I loved the singer stylistically, the first song even more so than the second. There were a lot of pitch problems, but if he can get those under control just a little bit, he could make for a pretty interesting singer.
You'll always be a love it or hate it kind of band with him singing. A lot of the older guys around here probably won't "get it", but I do. I much prefer someone who can convey emotion with their voice over someone who is perfect and sterile. Perfection is boring.
You'll always be a love it or hate it kind of band with him singing. A lot of the older guys around here probably won't "get it", but I do. I much prefer someone who can convey emotion with their voice over someone who is perfect and sterile. Perfection is boring.
My honest opinion is that he really needs to continue working with a vocal coach.
That said, I generally like what I heard, musically. One thing I would encourage is for him to possibly take a backseat for vocals and hire a new singer. I hear a lot of possibility in your music itself. It has potential, and I could almost hear synth parts over the second piece that just weren't actually there. I think that if he were to concentrate on his keyboard parts and let someone else sing, that might be worth considering. It would help bring some depth to the band in a lot of ways. I like the lyrics for the songs, but I don't think even Johnny Rotten could have done worse for that first song, no matter how drugged up he was! The second song was a lot better and suited his style of vocals more, but his pitch ruined it all for me, regardless of how much I liked the music.
Just my opinions and giving honest ones at that. Absolutely no disrespect here, just all constructive criticism
That said, I generally like what I heard, musically. One thing I would encourage is for him to possibly take a backseat for vocals and hire a new singer. I hear a lot of possibility in your music itself. It has potential, and I could almost hear synth parts over the second piece that just weren't actually there. I think that if he were to concentrate on his keyboard parts and let someone else sing, that might be worth considering. It would help bring some depth to the band in a lot of ways. I like the lyrics for the songs, but I don't think even Johnny Rotten could have done worse for that first song, no matter how drugged up he was! The second song was a lot better and suited his style of vocals more, but his pitch ruined it all for me, regardless of how much I liked the music.
Just my opinions and giving honest ones at that. Absolutely no disrespect here, just all constructive criticism
I like the singer's vocal tones and it sounds passionate. It reminds of other singers but has its own individualistic sound too.
Pitch, as mentioned a lot, is a problem as it becomes distracting especially on a recording. There's no consistency. My previous singer, in a cover band, had the same problem (note: previous). I never doubted the passion, just the execution.
If your singer doesn't notice the pitch, that's a problem. The recordings should be an obvious example of how he can do better. Your next recordings should concentrate a bit more on correcting those mistakes. More takes per instrument/vocals to make sure everything is done correctly. While there is always room for slight errors, as in you don't need mechanical perfection (unless that's the stylistic goal), there should be less errors causing distraction to the music.
I figure if the singer is aware of the pitch problems, and gets better at it not only for recordings but live gigs, I think things will flow a lot better. If he's getting lessons, then that's a good sign that there will improvement.
Pitch, as mentioned a lot, is a problem as it becomes distracting especially on a recording. There's no consistency. My previous singer, in a cover band, had the same problem (note: previous). I never doubted the passion, just the execution.
If your singer doesn't notice the pitch, that's a problem. The recordings should be an obvious example of how he can do better. Your next recordings should concentrate a bit more on correcting those mistakes. More takes per instrument/vocals to make sure everything is done correctly. While there is always room for slight errors, as in you don't need mechanical perfection (unless that's the stylistic goal), there should be less errors causing distraction to the music.
I figure if the singer is aware of the pitch problems, and gets better at it not only for recordings but live gigs, I think things will flow a lot better. If he's getting lessons, then that's a good sign that there will improvement.
Wow, your singer makes Shane McGowan sound like Freddy Mercury. Sorry, but you asked.
Okay, I listened to both songs, and I will be the first admit I am not a fan of Heavy Metal. I also pulled up your Facebook page, and I saw that you all are young, which encouraged me. While your singer is not that great, and yeah some of the instruments could stand a little work, I was pleased to see a group of young musicians working towards having a band.
My sage advice is to keep at it. Hard work pays off, and so does a good attitude. There's more than a good chance if you guys stay at it, you will eventually become a really good band.
I have a young musician/songwriter friend who has written 100's of songs, most of them awful. But I just told my wife the other day, eventually he will come up with a really good song (some day).
I also liked the second song better. But don't look for me to rush out and buy a metal CD anytime soon.
My sage advice is to keep at it. Hard work pays off, and so does a good attitude. There's more than a good chance if you guys stay at it, you will eventually become a really good band.
I have a young musician/songwriter friend who has written 100's of songs, most of them awful. But I just told my wife the other day, eventually he will come up with a really good song (some day).
I also liked the second song better. But don't look for me to rush out and buy a metal CD anytime soon.
Sometimes you just gotta realize what you is, and what you aint...his natural sense of pitch and melody is not very good, but he could easily adapt his style to more of a Henry Rollins IM JUST GOING TO SHOUT WHAT I THINK AT YOU AND YOU WILL !@#$% LISTEN AND LIKE IT style, or maybe check out Fu Manchu, their singer has a cool spoken approach. He's got strong delivery on that Shattered tune, I like that he puts it out there.
edit: and of course, practice makes better...
edit: and of course, practice makes better...
If you want to be buddies, then keep doing what you're doing. If you want to be in a successful band, ditch the singer. I can't think of a venue where I'm at where you would get more than one show with him singing, several that would cut your power and start the DJ(saw it happen last week).. It all depends on what you want to achieve.
Sorry to say it but I couldn't even make it all the way through either song! I'm almost 50 and it's not my style of music but I do listen to a lot of different types of music and try to keep and open mind. I have been singing in performing groups since I was a kid so I'm a stickler for good vocals. Your guy actually has a decent tone for the type of music you do but his pitch and timing are way off. If he is a good keyboard player maybe you can keep him in the group and find a better lead singer. Otherwise I would get rid of him or find another group.
I don't think they should fire him. He didn't prepare for studio but he can learn. But he must realize his real level of singing.
I like it. It fits the music. Very emotional. Robert Smith goes off-key a lot, and The Cure are wildly popular.
No one's going to teach this guy how to sing. This is his style, take it or leave it, like Bob Dylan. It's sing-song; not technically proficient, not supposed to be. I can see an audience for this.
FWIW, I'm 55.
No one's going to teach this guy how to sing. This is his style, take it or leave it, like Bob Dylan. It's sing-song; not technically proficient, not supposed to be. I can see an audience for this.
FWIW, I'm 55.
Rather than thinking of it like a competition on a relative scale, I think the obvious point is there are a lot of popular artists out there with what could be termed poor technical vocal skills. Unconventional singers in punk and scream-o pride themselves on what some would term "poor vocals," yet many of those bands have still sold a hell of a lot of records and concert tickets. Sometimes the appeal is other things like the instrumentation/arrangements, or the power of the lyrics.
If you're trying to say you don't like pitchy vocals, fair enough.
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I commend you on posting and asking Fellow Musicians for Constructive Feedback. That can be the Hardest thing to do as a Musician.
Secondly, I dig the Vibe as a Band. I hear a "Cure" element (as previously mentioned) mixed with a "Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds" vibe. Unique and pretty awesome.
Thirdly, and to the pointed Question the OP asked in the first place. Does your singer drink? I mean Nothing Bad by this. My reason for asking is the last "Band" I played with had a Decent singer. But, he had horrible anxiety and was Very Self Conscious. He would Drink HEAVILY when we played shows, or recorded, because the liquid courage would help the anxiety. But, it made him Super Pitchy, like your singer seems to be. We had to talk to him about it because it was affecting the Quality of our Bands product. The rest of the band ended up kicking him after I had already left.
You guys have your own sound. Do what you think is right Collectively. It is your Music, your Art.
Secondly, I dig the Vibe as a Band. I hear a "Cure" element (as previously mentioned) mixed with a "Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds" vibe. Unique and pretty awesome.
Thirdly, and to the pointed Question the OP asked in the first place. Does your singer drink? I mean Nothing Bad by this. My reason for asking is the last "Band" I played with had a Decent singer. But, he had horrible anxiety and was Very Self Conscious. He would Drink HEAVILY when we played shows, or recorded, because the liquid courage would help the anxiety. But, it made him Super Pitchy, like your singer seems to be. We had to talk to him about it because it was affecting the Quality of our Bands product. The rest of the band ended up kicking him after I had already left.
You guys have your own sound. Do what you think is right Collectively. It is your Music, your Art.
Whoa there, Shane MacGowan is a genius. Careful fella.
You made that up, and has no foundation in reality. Just sayin'.
