Originally posted by Aineias Greetings all, I'm obviously an unkown around here but I've been following the HC forums for quite a while ... just don't have enough FIRST HAND knowledge to ever post on many of the topics. However,
Dylan I cannot stand (while lyrically he's reputed to have written some reasonably poingnant stuff, his music and style drain from me the will to find out).
All the cookie monster cr*p ... it's simply NOT singing.
The guy from Coldplay (one of the most overrated bands/singers/ ... pianists if you can really call him that OF ALL TIME IMO) - he yodells, enough said.
All modern female vocalists using that "processed"sound, wait, thta IS all modern female vocalists.
In defence of Mr LaBrie, while I can accept those that have qualms over his style of singing, I don't believe anyone should be in doubt of his technical prowess. Having recently heard him live, twice, I can fully confirm that his vocal chords have at last healed since he damaged them way back in '94 and his voice sounds BETTER THAN EVER. he still has the incredible range of I&W (and he now hits the top notes every time, no screaching them out as has been heard on most of DTs live CDs).
What ought to be mentioned though is his shear professionality in that he still takes singing lessons (of varying styles, there are definately operatic influences in his training) despite being incredibly sucessful in his chosen profession. I firmly believe that the quality of nearly ALL modern vocalists could be significantly improved with some poitners from a professional teacher. Note hear that I myself have been classically trained (though not any more, damn my voice breaking and turning to absolute crap) and that {censored} stays with you in terms of breath control etc.
I agree for the most part about JL. However it never ceases to amaze me that a band full of virtuoso's like Dream Theater couldn't come up with a better vocalist. I am a very late comer to the the DT camp, (Scene from a Memory and Awake are the only CD's I have as of yet) But the guy has some hyper irratating vocal traits. Not the high notes, the low ones where he insists on using the widest vibrato, the gasps for emotional effect (esp on SFAM) and some "effected" pronunciations. Just drive me nuts.
I'd love to hear Geoff Tate from Queensryche do DT sometime.
As for annoying vocalists:
The guy from Coldplay
All cookie monster and cookie cutter "singers"
Anything that Autotune has touched in an obvious way.
I like true singers like Coverdale for example although I don't like much of his material. Hagar is amazing to be able to still pull it off after 55 years.
Vocal lessons do indeed pay off. I took 3 years of them in the 80's and can still nail all those annoying notes from Plant, Priest and Maiden at 50.
I think most guitarists don't get that singing "way up there" is like nailing a shred solo. I've been in both camps and the feeling is amazing. Doing an old Humble Pie song like "I don't need no Doctor" is a true high.