What albums have you listened to and liked the music and arrangements and even the lyrics, but you dislike the singer/vocals so much you that you rarely listen to it?

Message Bookmarked

Bookmark Removed

This one is totally going to be unpopular, but I'm going to have to say Bjork - "Medulla." I love her older stuff but for some reason get into "Medulla" at all. In fact, it drives me a bit batty.

― super sleuth, Wednesday, 19 October 2005 18:19 (twenty years ago)

Bright Eyes. To that I will add that I think Medulla could stand to be trimmed down just a bit.

― skoolbus39 (skoolbus39), Wednesday, 19 October 2005 18:28 (twenty years ago)

Joanna Newsom. Though that's a bit of an obvious answer. And I may get into it yet, I just still haven't gotten all the way through the album.

Bright Eyes seconded, but with reservations (that is -- much of the music and lyrics are sort of mediocre, at least on the stuff I've heard).

I should add that I absolutely love awful or at least eccentric voices, and Art Brut and The Hold Steady are two of my favorite releases of the year. Maybe I just hate women and pretty boys.

― A|ex P@reene (Pareene), Wednesday, 19 October 2005 18:34 (twenty years ago)

No matter how hard I try I can't get around that lead singer from Wilderness. Like John Lydon on crack.

― white dolemite (White Dolemite), Wednesday, 19 October 2005 18:39 (twenty years ago)

Every Kill Me Tomorrow album

― Lingbertt, Wednesday, 19 October 2005 18:46 (twenty years ago)

Pere Ubu

― kornrulez6969 (TCBeing), Wednesday, 19 October 2005 18:54 (twenty years ago)

A|ex, I agree that some of Oberst's lyrics can be mediocre. However, sometimes he crafts a lyric that just cuts right through the emo BS, which makes listening all the more frustrating - up and down, hit and miss. Joanna Newsom is, by far, my favorite record of the past 5 years.

― skoolbus39 (skoolbus39), Wednesday, 19 October 2005 18:59 (twenty years ago)

Hi dere Robyn :(

― Tom (Groke), Wednesday, 19 October 2005 18:59 (twenty years ago)

Ah, I've not doubt that Conor's got some great stuff in his catalogue -- that's kind of the point of this thread, ain't it? I just can't get past the vocal affectations.

It took me a while to listen to The Decemberists without being reminded of NYU Musical Theater students... now I think of it as an NYU Musical Theater student trying to imitate John Darnielle, and the effect is sort of charming. Still only like about half their songs though, so this may be a bit off-topic.

Another one that proves that I just may hate women: Joni Mitchell.

― A|ex P@reene (Pareene), Wednesday, 19 October 2005 19:07 (twenty years ago)

"no doubt," rather.

― A|ex P@reene (Pareene), Wednesday, 19 October 2005 19:08 (twenty years ago)

I'm going to have to go with most Smashing Pumpkins stuff. I loved Gish and Siamese Dream. But the vocals are unlistenable on anything after that even though I like the music and the lyrics are intriguing.

― bsj30 (bsj30), Wednesday, 19 October 2005 19:11 (twenty years ago)

I'll have to go with the Pumpkins too, specifically Adore because the songs on that album are great (maybe not the lyrics) besides Corgan's voice.

― Curt1s St3ph3ns, Wednesday, 19 October 2005 19:21 (twenty years ago)

Sufjan Stevens, *Illinois*

― xhuxk, Wednesday, 19 October 2005 19:24 (twenty years ago)

Brand New Sin

― zaxxon25 (zaxxon25), Wednesday, 19 October 2005 19:27 (twenty years ago)

I knew there was someone... Yeah, I'll have to suggest Billy Corgan (tho' I don't really think a whole lot of the lyrics) too in the "anyone but" singer category.

― login name (fandango), Wednesday, 19 October 2005 19:30 (twenty years ago)

oh.. (rereads the question) never listen to it, never wanted to again, will have taped over it might be more the case here.

― login name (fandango), Wednesday, 19 October 2005 19:43 (twenty years ago)

Umm...isn't Medulla ENTIRELY comprised of vocals?

I would say The Ex when GW Sok is singing.

― Dr. Gene Scott (shinybeast), Wednesday, 19 October 2005 20:44 (twenty years ago)

The Blood Brothers - Burn Piano Island, Burn

― Lingbertt, Wednesday, 19 October 2005 20:46 (twenty years ago)

Umm...isn't Medulla ENTIRELY comprised of vocals?

Yes (nearly) but they aren't all hers. I don't know if that's a problem for the thread starter or not?

― login name (fandango), Wednesday, 19 October 2005 20:47 (twenty years ago)

the darkness - justins vocals. dear god. hated that kinda shite in the 80's, and 20 years later he's reviving that dreadful vocal style. i have tried to reappraise and get "it", but no, truly awful.

― mark e (mark e), Wednesday, 19 October 2005 20:49 (twenty years ago)

xpost I love Glenn Branca except for those damn guitars.

― Dr. Gene Scott (shinybeast), Wednesday, 19 October 2005 21:03 (twenty years ago)

OK, this is the thread where everyone hates me for admitting that this is the way I feel about The Smiths.

― ailsa (ailsa), Wednesday, 19 October 2005 21:17 (twenty years ago)

I think Moz is a understandable choice. I can see how it wouldn't be everyones cuppa.

― login name (fandango), Wednesday, 19 October 2005 21:19 (twenty years ago)

Led Zeppelin

― late adopter, Wednesday, 19 October 2005 21:25 (twenty years ago)

Roxy Music

― Bob Six (bobbysix), Wednesday, 19 October 2005 21:30 (twenty years ago)

Anthony and the Johnsons, probably. I don't wanna go back and EVER listen to that again, despite the thought that the music and arrangement might have been good.

And a second to the Blood Brothers.

― peepee (peepee), Wednesday, 19 October 2005 21:54 (twenty years ago)

YES to Smashing Pumpkins. Great riffs, catchy songs, Godawful vocals. And he was the single brattiest performer I've ever seen live...he was boo'd off the stage at Lollapalooza for repeating the phrase: I'm the voice of your generation. A generation of shit.

― kornrulez6969 (TCBeing), Wednesday, 19 October 2005 22:09 (twenty years ago)

I don't really mind Corgan's voice that much, think the band is tight, the riffs and melodies are decent... it's the lyrics themselves (and all the attendant bombast) that turn me off. Though disliking the singer him or herself is mentioned in the original question I suppose, thus qualifying the pumpkins for this thread.

― A|ex P@reene (Pareene), Wednesday, 19 October 2005 22:45 (twenty years ago)

David Sylvian.

― andrew_g, Wednesday, 19 October 2005 23:25 (twenty years ago)

I knew there was someone... Yeah, I'll have to suggest Billy Corgan (tho' I don't really think a whole lot of the lyrics) too in the "anyone but" singer category.

-- login name

NO! that wasn't the obvious one I couldn't seem to recall.

That would be M.I.A.

― login name (fandango), Thursday, 20 October 2005 00:15 (twenty years ago)

quite a few Sonic Youth tracks

― miccio (miccio), Thursday, 20 October 2005 00:20 (twenty years ago)

perfect songs ruined by vocals:
new order
pet shop boys
bon jovi

― retrogurl, Thursday, 20 October 2005 00:30 (twenty years ago)

New Order seconded!

Not all the time, but frustratingly often.

― login name (fandango), Thursday, 20 October 2005 00:33 (twenty years ago)

Clap Your hands Say Yeah

― Tokyo Ghost Stories (Tokyo Ghost Stories), Thursday, 20 October 2005 00:38 (twenty years ago)

Beastie Boys - Paul's Boutique.

Clever lyrics, great album arrangement, amazing productions, but I just fucking hate their whiny, high-pitched voices.

― Jack L., Thursday, 20 October 2005 00:39 (twenty years ago)

REM - I dig the band and can even dig Stipey's persona, but... he just sounds like such a wiener. And NOT as in he's from Vienna, just a whining wiener.

Tom Waits - I don't demand authenticity by any means, but he sounds like a high school junior doing a comedic impression of a 90 year old man in a school play.

I also can't stand Billy Corgan, but don't think the rest of it is perfect either. Even if they got their teeth pulled.

― Roe Joe, Thursday, 20 October 2005 00:48 (twenty years ago)

Frankly I'm not sure about music, arrangements or lyrics.

But that Xui Xui frontperson must win some kind of prize.

― login name (fandango), Thursday, 20 October 2005 00:52 (twenty years ago)

Sorry, I'm not even answering the question properly anymore :(
I will go to bed.

― login name (fandango), Thursday, 20 October 2005 00:52 (twenty years ago)

The Dismemberment Plan - Changes

― Lingbertt, Thursday, 20 October 2005 01:02 (twenty years ago)

The Arcade Fire "Funeral"

― jed_ (jed), Thursday, 20 October 2005 01:32 (twenty years ago)

I'm this way with Television's Marquee Moon. I love the guitar playing, the chords, the drumming, the song structures...but Tom Verlaine's voice is terrible, and terrible for the songs. Even something similar like Joey Ramone (or heck, though more distant, Malkmus) would work better...but imagine someone with pipes fronting that band: it wouldn't be punk rock, maybe, but maybe I'd want to put it on more often.

― Dyngus Tatis, Thursday, 20 October 2005 01:44 (twenty years ago)

Cradle of Filth!

― dr. phil (josh langhoff), Thursday, 20 October 2005 01:50 (twenty years ago)

The Hold Steady. His voice drives me insane.

― Jessie the Monster (scarymonsterrr), Thursday, 20 October 2005 01:51 (twenty years ago)

Man, such a good question, I'm having trouble settling on one (or even a few) answer.

The Shins and Built to Spill both come to mind. Both hit the notes they want to hit and all that, but I find the timbre a tad annoying (sorry, big fans).

I'm surprised no one mentioned Wayne Coyne. Or fucking Dylan for that matter (both of whom I love).

― Travis Johnson (godshapedhole), Thursday, 20 October 2005 04:25 (twenty years ago)

Perfect Answer: Hot Hot Heat (any album)

― Voodoo Child, Thursday, 20 October 2005 04:29 (twenty years ago)

Combatwoundedveteran. Love the music, but not el-screamo style vocals. Also a problem I run into with a lot of metal bands.

― Sasha (sgh), Thursday, 20 October 2005 04:36 (twenty years ago)

Afghan Whigs - Gentlemen

I'll take this thread as a sign that I should finally sell this back. Every time I'm about to take it in, that damn kid on the cover convinces me to give it another spin... what crap.

― poortheatre (poortheatre), Thursday, 20 October 2005 04:44 (twenty years ago)

oh yea, and MODEST MOUSE... moon and antarctica has been in pawn limbo for months now.

― poortheatre (poortheatre), Thursday, 20 October 2005 04:47 (twenty years ago)

devendra banhart

― Marcello Carlin (nostudium), Thursday, 20 October 2005 06:29 (twenty years ago)

Cocorosie and Sufjan Stevens. ekh.

― Roz (Roz), Thursday, 20 October 2005 07:04 (twenty years ago)

SUPER FURRY ANIMALS

― login name (fandango), Thursday, 20 October 2005 07:05 (twenty years ago)

wait... I haven't heard a full album! God I'm crap at this.

/lurks

― login name (fandango), Thursday, 20 October 2005 07:07 (twenty years ago)

High Llamas

― Marcello Carlin (nostudium), Thursday, 20 October 2005 07:18 (twenty years ago)

"no doubt," rather.

-- A|ex P@reene

So you don't like Gwen Stefani either?
Maybe you really DO hate women! :)

― Myonga Von Bontee (Myonga Von Bontee), Thursday, 20 October 2005 08:00 (twenty years ago)

Yes High Llamas OTM, velvet fronted by cardboard.

MIA too obv.

― Tom (Groke), Thursday, 20 October 2005 08:25 (twenty years ago)

Man, this thread was a long time coming! Should be a good'un.

Voidoids (Get the Hell outta there)
Bauhaus (Love and Rockets, yay!)
Punkins (Fifthed or sixthed)
Troggs (As I've said many times before, to me, Reg Presley's always sounded EXACTLY like "Squiggy" from "Laverne & Shirley"!)
The Clash (Special mention: TWO singers I didn't like!)
Modern Lovers (Try blowing your nose)
Cheap Trick (...can't think of anymore sarcastic remarks)
Post-'79 Bob Dylan (Tho I hate to say it)
Coupla controversial choices there, I know, and that's good.

And three great bands whose singers I had to LEARN to love: Roxy Music, Pere Ubu, Talking Heads

― Myonga Von Bontee (Myonga Von Bontee), Thursday, 20 October 2005 08:54 (twenty years ago)

I was a huge Birthday Party fan, but I've never been comfortable with Cave's solo material. It's mostly the same circle of musicians, augmented by others I rate, but the heavy Leonard Cohen influence that developed in Cave's singing just kills it for me.

I sometimes think I should sit down with the back catalogue and a couple of bottles of wine and try and learn to love it, but it just seems too much like bloody hard work.

― Soukesian, Thursday, 20 October 2005 09:14 (twenty years ago)

Get the first solo album and you don't really need to bother with the rest.

― Marcello Carlin (nostudium), Thursday, 20 October 2005 09:17 (twenty years ago)

even though it begins with a cover of "Avalanche"!

― Marcello Carlin (nostudium), Thursday, 20 October 2005 09:17 (twenty years ago)

I have a fairly high tolerance for crap vocals, even when I know they're objectively no good. Mind you, anyone who phrases and sounds like Dylan pisses me off, except Ian Hunter - he's fine.

N. Cave - for me his voice ruined the Birthday Party. It was too kind of forced and obvious. They would have sounded great with someone who could do more than a basso profundo growl. I don't mind his voice on the later solo stuff.

**Yes High Llamas OTM, velvet fronted by cardboard.**

B-b-but they're totally awful in every way!

I once bought a Pram LP (the first, I think) after reading some good press in the Melody Maker. I think I got halfway through track 2 - unspeakable vocal badness, although the music sounded good.

― Dr. C (Dr. C), Thursday, 20 October 2005 09:42 (twenty years ago)

Do you think that Roger Whittaker would have been a better choice of lead singer for the Birthday Party?

― Marcello Carlin (nostudium), Thursday, 20 October 2005 09:44 (twenty years ago)

Maybe. But I would have chosen The Singing Nun.

― Dr. C (Dr. C), Thursday, 20 October 2005 10:16 (twenty years ago)

antony and the johnsons

― The Lex (The Lex), Thursday, 20 October 2005 10:19 (twenty years ago)

We've been here before but:

1. Every Talk Talk album
2. A Lambchop album whose name escapes me

― Dadaismus (Dada), Thursday, 20 October 2005 10:44 (twenty years ago)

... scratch 2, the lyrics are annoying and the music isn't that great

― Dadaismus (Dada), Thursday, 20 October 2005 10:45 (twenty years ago)

... and there's more:

Voidoids - "Destiny Street"
Pere Ubu - "New Picnic Time"

― Dadaismus (Dada), Thursday, 20 October 2005 10:46 (twenty years ago)

Whitehouse!

― Dadaismus (Dada), Thursday, 20 October 2005 10:50 (twenty years ago)

... not the lyrics of course!

― Dadaismus (Dada), Thursday, 20 October 2005 10:50 (twenty years ago)

Throbbing Gristle, I mean admit it...

― Marcello Carlin (nostudium), Thursday, 20 October 2005 10:55 (twenty years ago)

TG seconded. A voice made for mime.

― Soukesian, Thursday, 20 October 2005 10:57 (twenty years ago)

Oh come on, Gen's voice is one of the best things about them!

― Dadaismus (Dada), Thursday, 20 October 2005 10:58 (twenty years ago)

I mean if you're going to do that sort of thing what better voice than a poofy Northern voice like a camp bingo caller in Rawtenstall?

― Dadaismus (Dada), Thursday, 20 October 2005 10:59 (twenty years ago)

Yeah but after 24 hours it does get a little wearisome.

― Marcello Carlin (nostudium), Thursday, 20 October 2005 11:02 (twenty years ago)

All improv vocalists, who sound more like Percy Edwards than Cathy Berberian.

― Marcello Carlin (nostudium), Thursday, 20 October 2005 11:03 (twenty years ago)

THE SMITHS!!!

and a lot of New Order

― LeRooLeRoo (Seb), Thursday, 20 October 2005 11:18 (twenty years ago)

Bjork, The Auteurs, Smashing Pumpkins, Lee Ranaldo-sung Sonic Youth tracks.

― Alfred Soto (Alfred Soto), Thursday, 20 October 2005 11:40 (twenty years ago)

Strange no one's mentioned Durutti Column yet, though I quite like his singing. My own guilty, awful, blasphemous entry: "Atomsphere." Gorgeous music, heart-rending lyrics, and a singer who sounds like he's making fun of Ian Curtis. I actually prefer the Codeine cover, and Joy Division's one of my all-time favorite bands. (Go ahead, kill me now.)

― owen moorhead (i heart daniel miller), Thursday, 20 October 2005 17:38 (twenty years ago)

Most Kim Gordon-sung Sonic Youth tracks. Nails down blackboard.

― Cracks (Crackity), Thursday, 20 October 2005 18:07 (twenty years ago)

I'm also a hardcore Joy Division fan who has reservations about "Atmosphere". I couldn't help snickering when I first heard it.

― Roe Joe, Thursday, 20 October 2005 18:32 (twenty years ago)

cap'n beefheart

― not today, Thursday, 20 October 2005 19:54 (twenty years ago)

― Special Agent Dale Koopa (orion), Thursday, 20 October 2005 19:56 (twenty years ago)

About half of the Cure output, sadly, and about 1/10th of Bowie.

― joseph cotten (joseph cotten), Thursday, 20 October 2005 20:13 (twenty years ago)

Wow. I cannot imagine a world in which Prince's singing wasn't considered godly. Even now, when his songwriting is mostly shot, he remains a terrific singer.

― Alfred Soto (Alfred Soto), Thursday, 20 October 2005 20:26 (twenty years ago)

Oh I gotta third that Antony and the Johnsons. Victim Music. Joanna Newsome sounds like she is gonna bust out "Food Around The Corner" any minute. Irritating and fake.

― Criff (Criff), Thursday, 20 October 2005 21:16 (twenty years ago)

three years pass...

The Boredoms, "Pop Tatari" & "Chocolate Synthesiser"

^^^^ ILM heretic! Kill the unbeliever!

― Ich Ber ein Binliner (Tom D.), Thursday, 20 November 2008 12:22 (seventeen years ago)

Anthony & The Johnsons: "I Am a Bird Now". Cannot come to grips with that voice. I just cannot.

― Geir Hongro, Thursday, 20 November 2008 13:23 (seventeen years ago)

David Baker-era Mercury Rev

― Sara Sara Sara, Thursday, 20 November 2008 13:58 (seventeen years ago)

The Twilight Sad. So good until the singing starts!

― nate woolls, Thursday, 20 November 2008 14:01 (seventeen years ago)

anything by they might be giants

― m coleman, Thursday, 20 November 2008 14:02 (seventeen years ago)

I have had a problem with the singer of The Guillemots even though he is obviously technically great. Now that I have decided he sounds like a cross in-between Robert Smith and Andy McCluskey, it goes much better. :)

― Geir Hongro, Thursday, 20 November 2008 14:56 (seventeen years ago)

Danielson

― I've encountered Whiney on numerous message boards and (Whiney G. Weingarten), Thursday, 20 November 2008 14:57 (seventeen years ago)

Squeeze when Difford sings

― dat peninsula delmarva (some dude), Thursday, 20 November 2008 15:01 (seventeen years ago)

Stereolab

― Granny Dainger, Thursday, 20 November 2008 15:02 (seventeen years ago)

Lambchop, "Nixon"

― Ich Ber ein Binliner (Tom D.), Thursday, 20 November 2008 15:02 (seventeen years ago)

i can't stand peter murphy's vocals in bauhaus, but somehow i think a lot of his solo stuff is the bees knees

― the sir weeze, Thursday, 20 November 2008 15:02 (seventeen years ago)

Admittedly I've never heard any of their albums, but the Tindersticks.

― Ich Ber ein Binliner (Tom D.), Thursday, 20 November 2008 15:04 (seventeen years ago)

The Twilight Sad. So good until the singing starts!

― nate woolls, Thursday, 20 November 2008 14:01

anything by they might be giants

― m coleman, Thursday, 20 November 2008 14:02

Stereolab

― Granny Dainger, Thursday, 20 November 2008 15:02

Lambchop, "Nixon"

― Ich Ber ein Binliner (Tom D.), Thursday, 20 November 2008 15:02

Admittedly I've never heard any of their albums, but the Tindersticks.

― Ich Ber ein Binliner (Tom D.), Thursday, 20 November 2008 15:04

this is madness! surely the vocals are 50% of the point of all these bands?

i can't listen to a band at all if i don't like the vocalist, so i can't think of a single example to put in here...

― Background Zombie (CharlieNo4), Thursday, 20 November 2008 15:12 (seventeen years ago)

this is madness! surely the vocals are 50% of the point of all these bands?

Hence the title of the thread?

― Ich Ber ein Binliner (Tom D.), Thursday, 20 November 2008 15:17 (seventeen years ago)

I think 360 Degrees of Power by Sister Souljah would fit here. There's some dope beats by the Bomb Squad, her lyrics are well thought out and fittingly aggressive, but she simply can't rap for her life. I've listened to that album maybe 2 or 3 times since I bought it.

― Tuomas, Thursday, 20 November 2008 15:17 (seventeen years ago)

You must be logged in to post. Please either login here, or if you are not registered, you may register here.