Jueves 28 Feb 2008, 13:26
Once again, the title says it all. A quick warning before we get started: don't expect a bunch of singer-songerwriters in here. Sure, they tend to have an awesome vocal range, but a cripsy clean voice doesn't mean it's a good voice. Anyway, onto the list:
10. Brett Anderson (Suede).
A slightly over the top voice with some megalomanical traits. I know, that makes you think his voice sucks and he's arrogant. I'm not sure about the arrogant part, but I can tell you his voice doesn't suck. Main reason for that is that his voice fits the instruments and lyrics of his band perfectly. All you non-believers should go out and give
The asphalt world a listen, and then come back.
9. Van Morrison.
Music for the grey generation, you might say. Undeniably true, but doesn't the same go for artists like Bob Dylan, just to name one? Van started of with a voice like every other (try his album Astral weeks), but even then it had a slight rawness in it. As his career developed, the rawness developed, up untill the point where it pretty much became his trademark. The raw voice of a man who's seen it all: Louis Armstrong would be proud.
8. Zach de la Rocha (Rage against the Machine).
Ok, you could discuss about whether it's screaming or singing. Let's just say it's a mix of both, and that's exactly what makes RatM's sound. De la Rocha sings with so much hatred against the autorities, it just blows you away. So simple yet so powerful because of the huge amount of emotion (more specically: anger) put into it.
7. Ian Curtis (Joy Division).
I know, I said in January's Top 10 that I didn't like this guy's voice. And yes, I still feel the same. However, there's no denying that his voice is just made for the dark music that is Joy Division. Seemingly without emotion, it really gives me the creeps. How can someone sing about subjects like Curtis without adding a glimpse of hope to his voice. You can just hear this is a trouble mind singing here.
6. Jeff Buckley.
Ah, there's our singer-songwriter. And what a singer-songwriter he is. I doubt I've ever heard a male voice with a larger vocal range. From fast rocksongs likeEternal life to songs like his cover of Leonard Cohen's Hallelujah, Jeff can do it in the most awesome way. Such a shame he passed away before he could finish a second album.
5. Damien Rice.
And there's our second singer-songwriter already. One of the best voices of the 2000s, Rice makes songs that fit his voice perfectly. Slow but beautiful is what he's all about. And, much unlike Ian Curtis, he puts quite a lot of emotion in what he sings, giving him that little edge over most recent singer-songwriters.
4. Robert Plant (Led Zeppelin).
Rock 'n Roll defined. Seriously, is there anything I need to say about this guy or his band? With a genius at the drums, the guitar and the vocals (sorry, John Paul Jones, they're an example to just about every decent band nowadays. Plant's part of the goodness consists of his trademark howling noises, and awesome vocal range. The overplayed (yet still awesome) Stairway to Heaven shows this best, with his steady, relaxed voice at the start, and the rock 'n roll awesomeness right after the Page solo.
3. Antony Hegarty (Antony and the Johnsons).
Ok, so he's a travestite. And he sings like a woman half of the time. Yet, he has one of the best high voices ever (female voices included!). Add in a piano and some background instruments and give the voice some room, and you've got a band that's unlike any other. I highly suggest giving their song Cripple and the starfish a shot. You won't be disappointed.
2. Freddy Mercury (Queen).
Freddy's my hero. In an age where a mustache was still somewhat cool, he composed and sang some of the best songs to date. From his perfect feeling for the crowd to his pianoplaying on Bohemian Rhapsody, Freddy could do it. Although Queen wasn't what they were in the '70s when Freddy died, I still think a musical genius who still had a lot of tricks up his sleeve went to early.
1. Finn Andrews (The Veils).
Ok, time for some math. Throw Buckley, Plant and Mercury on a pile and mix them up. You get Finn Andrews. The voice of Buckley mixed with that of Plant, and the songwriting genius of Mercury. Granted, it takes time getting used to his voice, which can be considered streched and annoying, but once you do, there's no going back. Andrews' music and lyrics draw you into an addiction from which there's no escape. And with a feat like that, a first place is well deserved. Everybody should go ahead and give this still too little-known band a shot, you'll love it.