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What do you think about my band's singer?

#101
I did it backwards. I read the entire thread first and then listened. It really wasn't what I expected at all. Actually I liked it. I don't listen to this kind of music any more, but I played heavy metal in its earlier stages when I was young. Judas Priest and such. Now I play classic rock and classic country. I still liked it. I agree with whoever said they were waiting for the first song to take off, which it never did. It just sounded like it was always winding up and getting ready to start, but never really doing so. I still enjoyed it. Just needed to go somewhere. I think the singer fits the music very well. Kinda like the vocals on Smells Like Teen Spirit.

Age is an issue. You guys are young as lfmn16 said before, and you will get better. I liked it and I am 58.
 
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#102
altarsofmadness said:
Well, my band just finished recording its first album and well, I love it (who doesn't love its band's first album?). However, a lot of people say that our singer is not that good. I really like his vocals, but I know this could be an acquired taste. I should add that he is also our main lyricist and our keyboard player.
So, what do you think?
Click to expand...


I think it would be good if it were more punk or maybe the mix was different. I think there is some potential.
 
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#103
Not my cup of tea at all, in a musical sense.

But that said, you've asked for an honest appraisal of your band and your recording, and I don't think any of it is up to much. The singers voice is just not what people would be looking for. Put yourself in the position of a paying punter turning up to a gig to support their mates band who you are supporting, would you be impressed by what you heard? I wouldn't, I'd be going outside till your set was done. Harsh I know, but it's true. Dissonance can be a great tool to use musically, but what your singer is doing is beyond dissonance, it's just atonal.

His vocals in the first song sounded passionate and emotional, there's no denying that, but there was no control and it came across that he didn't know what he was doing, then when mixed together with the music it just all fell to pieces, I really get the impression that, that specific track isn't one everyone is happy with, and if I were you guys, I'd be cutting that track instantly. Second track the performance was much better, singing was still atonal and ruined what was a decent enough song. If it were me, I'd be ditching the singer, but then again I'm a really dedicated and determined guy and every band I've been in I've pushed as far as possible.

Best of luck to you though!
 
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#105
Yeah, I get where you guys are going with that tune... he's just not getting you there. I'm not sure what the motivations of your band are, or your relationships with one another, but you won't go far with a singer like that. He's totally off-key, and his inflection isn't very good either. His keyboard playing is pretty decent, but I'm guessing he couldn't be persuaded to only play keyboards and not sing.

Believe me, I know what I'm talking about. I played with a singer for YEARS who wasn't much better than your singer, if at all. Everybody said "if you guys would lose the singer, you'd have a great band". Why didn't we? Well for one thing, he was my best friend, and that was always more important to me. Now the band is long over, but the friendship remains. He also owned a lot of our equipment, and wrote most of the lyrics. But the main reason I never wanted to kick him out? He was the motivated one, the one with the "fire" and the "passion". Without him (and we eventually did try it without him for awhile), there was no spark; it was just a bunch of guys playing in a room, with no purpose.

We made an album too, and despite the sometimes shoddy singing, I LOVED it. I still love those songs. Even the ones that aren't very good, I love them because we all made them together.
 
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#106
I've worked in a projects with a singer doing a similar thing. It can work, but it's not for everyone. Your guy seems a little rough and inexperienced. The recording strikes me as what you'd get from isolated vocals in a loose rehearsal or live show, not a studio recording. His pitch and delivery make me cringe in some spots but it has moments of potential.
 
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#107
altarsofmadness said:
I don't think that matters, if we suck, we suck regardless of our age. Anyway, we are aged 14 to 19.
Click to expand...
Sure it matters. If someone in his 40's and 50's posted that, I'd tell him to sell his instruments and take up golf. But you guys are young, have lots of time to figure yourselves out. There will be many bands in your future if you stick with it, and each one will be a learning experience. Kudos for havin' balls to even ask ... most young players (but not all , by any means) seem to think they're just perfect the way they are and will defend themselves to the death if anyone tells them differently. Keep playing, keep learning ... most of all, keep it all in perspective and have fun with it.
 
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#111
The timbre isn't bad, but he should work on his pitch. Pitch is much easier to correct than timbre. Maybe switch the key of the songs around to better suit his range. Since it's a studio recording, mistakes will be glaring. Since it's original material, you want to make your material worthy of being heard again and again. Redo the vocals and whatever parts you think need improvement, and use pitch correction if you have to. If the vocals are on pitch, it would sell the song that much more. Doing that will not only improve the recording but the singer as well. You wouldn't release a song with a bass or guitar out of tune would you?

In the end, if you're going to be a live band, your best evaluation will be your show and how you own it and sell it. I've seen plenty of well known acts where the vocals weren't perfect but they still put on a decent show. It's impossible to capture the live performance and energy of a show on audio or video. You just have to be there.
 
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#112
I'm a huge metal fan and even I can't handle the vocals. It's less about pitch for me (which is pretty atrocious), moreso the lack of power. It just sorta seems like a drunk half-heartedly shouting at things. I hate to be all Simon Cowell about, but it's just my opinion.

Also, I think a name change would be good. Being named after a Morbid Angel album has one expecting old school death metal, which isn't at all what I heard. Just a pet peeve of mine.
 
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#113
You guys are 14-19 years old? Keep playing, often. Learn everything you can. Write songs, play gigs, meet other musicians. Have a shaging blast! While I'm only 33 and not at all over the hill, I don't have nearly the drive, ability or most importantly, the time, to devote to music like I would like to. These are the times in your life where you're going to learn a lot of things, musically and otherwise. It's the time where you and your friends can be young and on the same page with the music.
 
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#119
I read through a lot of this thread and listened to a minute or so of the first recording. The singer is clearly way off pitch and it's, IMO, due to lack of skill rather than any stylistic intent. That said, I think what's happening to him is that he's being swayed by what he's playing on the piano and can't quite keep the melody in his voice and his piano playing separate. If that's the case, he may well be able to improve with practice. In many musical genres, I think it's true that emotion is more important that accurate pitch, and I expect that your chosen genre has that going for you. Still, I expect that many people will be turned off by your singer's lack of pitch. You can see if he improves with lessons, or you could consider either having him just sing and not play keys, or hire a singer and have him just play keys until he gets to an acceptable level.
 
#120
There was a moment near the beginning of the song where a bit of "harmony vocals" were trying to happen.

IMO, it is not wise to try and have a harmony vocal part in this context.

This is the only new piece of perspective I can offer.

I applaud you for posting and asking for feedback--that is the best thing any of us can do to improve.

All the best,

Shane
 

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