Worst Vocalists in Music

[TheOtherAndrew]

We have a thread on the best vocalists out there, so I figured we should have one on the worst also.

Here's a few of my picks.

1) Tim Armstrong of Rancid/Transplants

While he might seem like an obvious choice, he still manages more than any other vocalist in punk rock to bring down songs that would have been amazing otherwise. This is especially true considering he's singing along side of Lars Frederiksen, who in my opinion, is a stellar vocalist. Nothing against him as a songwriter, and I love Rancid, but hearing him come in on the second verse of Roots Radicals after Lars' killer first verse was a huge bummer.

2) Connor Oberst of Bright Eyes/Desaparecidos

His vocal capabilities have definitely improved over the years (he seems to have worked on them while recording Cassadaga especially), but this still doesn't take away from the fact that his range is so limited. Again, I have a huge amount of respect for Conor as a songwriter, but his voice just seems to ruin it completely on a lot of earlier Bright Eyes material, like A Perfect Sonnet or most of the Fevers and Mirrors album.

3) Tom Delonge of Blink-182/Box Car Racer/Angels and Airwaves

I never had too many complaints about Tom's voice up until a few years ago, when he began appearing onstage slurring the words to his own songs and being unable to sing them properly. Something strange seems to have happened to him around mid-2004. Previously, his voice had been fine live, but late in Blink's career, he started slipping. My guess is his ego got to him and he lost his motivation to warm his voice up before shows. Live Angels and Airwaves performances are completely unlistenable, mainly because this trend has continued.

Not that his voice was that stellar to begin with, but its undoubtedly gotten a lot worse lately.

4) Brian Johnson of AC/DC

AC/DC have written some fine songs in their day, but vocals have never been their strong point. Original singer Bon Scott had a unique vocal style to say the least, but upon Brian Johnson taking over the duties of lead singer, this seems to have taken a turn for the worse. His vocals seem strained and irritating, that's all there is to it.

5) Chavo Pederast of Black Flag

People tend to give Black Flag's most well known vocalist, Henry Rollins, a lot of shit, but compared to their vocalist from the Jealous Again era, Chavo Pederast, Rollins doesn't seem to be as god awful as he's made out to be. This most likely stems from the fact that Pederast wasn't a vocalist; he was a bass player, previously earning a brief stint playing for Redd Kross. Regardless, he is most likely the worst of Black Flag's many frontmen.

6) Darby Crash of The Germs

He's called a poet and one of the best lyricists in the history of punk rock, but he couldn't sing in the studio, and he certainly couldn't sing live. During his performance in The Decline of Civilization, he appears onstage completely intoxicated, mumbling the words to his own songs. On their album, (GI), his vocal style sounds barely human, and intolerable even for a hardcore band. Regardless of how legendary he is within the punk rock scene, Darby Crash is not a good vocalist.


That's just me though, feel free to add to the list.

[Shatter590]

i dont mind armstrong or delonge. tom has a bit of a whine that gets old, but tim at least has a distinctive wail.

[3mpire]

I think Connor's voice adds to the sound rather than ruining it imo (on Fevers+Mirrors).

And yeah, Delonge is a terrible singer but we love it.

[char]

1) Issac Brock - Modest Mouse/Ugly Casanova

I adore Modest Mouse, and I consider The Moon and Antarctica to be one of the best (if not the best) rock albums of this decade. But Issac Brock simply cannot sing. It's sad that so many people are turned off from such awesome lyrics and great songwriting by Brock's grating vocals. Fans call his voice quirky, and you certainly can get used to it and enjoy it over time, but as a technical vocalist, he's terrible.

2) Adam Lazzara - Taking Back Sunday

An overpowering vocalist who can't stay in key is one of the worst combos you can have. He's gotten slightly better on record (probably due to studio tricks), but he's still absolutely terrible live.

3) Alec Ounsworth - Clap Your Hands Say Yeah

Sounds like a drunk and dying Thom Yorke, and basically stops me from listening to and liking a pretty talented band musically.

4) Daniel Smith - Danielson Famile

When he's doing his "half-talk, half-sing" style, he's tolerable. But when he actually attempts to hit a note, he unleashes this screechy, whiny falsetto that makes me want to put a bullet in my head. On their last album, Ships, he shared time with a female vocalist (who was quite good) and I'm certain that everyone who listened to it lived for the moments when she took center stage and not Smith.

[Carlo Marx]

The only time Oberst's voice has ever been a plus was with Desaparecidos.

[TheOtherAndrew]

1) Issac Brock - Modest Mouse/Ugly Casanova

I adore Modest Mouse, and I consider The Moon and Antarctica to be one of the best (if not the best) rock albums of this decade. But Issac Brock simply cannot sing. It's sad that so many people are turned off from such awesome lyrics and great songwriting by Brock's grating vocals. Fans call his voice quirky, and you certainly can get used to it and enjoy it over time, but as a technical vocalist, he's terrible.

2) Adam Lazzara - Taking Back Sunday

An overpowering vocalist who can't stay in key is one of the worst combos you can have. He's gotten slightly better on record (probably due to studio tricks), but he's still absolutely terrible live.
Agreed on both. I thought about putting Adam on my list but I was completely sure someone else would mention him. I forced myself to watch an entire bootleg TBS show one time and my head still hurts from listening to Adam struggle to sing his own arrangements.

Plus I can't think of a vocalist who points the mic at the crowd more often, probably because he's out of breath half the time.

[3mpire]

Lazzara does have a pretty limited range but he seemed to be in key during the last TBS show I went to.

[xerovision1]

m. shadows

[Rearviewmirror]

The dude of MCR, Anthony Kiedis, cunt of Bright Eyes, arse of Billy Talent (and now i havent mentioned bitches like britney, madonna and all boy bands but I don't consider that music, so..)

[love_american_style]

the majority of radio rock singers.

[duhpunk]

The dude of MCR, Anthony Kiedis, cunt of Bright Eyes, arse of Billy Talent (and now i havent mentioned bitches like britney, madonna and all boy bands but I don't consider that music, so..)

Anthony Kiedis isn't that bad

[TheOtherAndrew]

and Conor Oberst isn't a cunt

[duhpunk]

Spencer Chamberlain (Underoath)- Can't scream. Enough said.

Bert McCracken (The Used)- Terrible, off pitch voice. Voice gets worn out quickly. All you have to do is listen to "Berth" and you will see what I mean.

[Steeeeve]

tom delounge
ronnie james dio
tim armstrong
guy of atreyu
and
the guy from dragonforce...although their guitar is awesome

[anamericangod]

I'm torn on Geoff Rickley....

[TheOtherAndrew]

I'm torn on Geoff Rickley....
He has his moments.

I liked him a lot on a few songs from War all the Time.

[Crocodile Logic]

1) Issac Brock - Modest Mouse/Ugly Casanova

I adore Modest Mouse, and I consider The Moon and Antarctica to be one of the best (if not the best) rock albums of this decade. But Issac Brock simply cannot sing. It's sad that so many people are turned off from such awesome lyrics and great songwriting by Brock's grating vocals. Fans call his voice quirky, and you certainly can get used to it and enjoy it over time, but as a technical vocalist, he's terrible.
i fully disagree with this. brock's distinctive voice only adds to modest mouse's greatness.

[bobby runs]

buddy neilson of senses fail

shaant whatever-sucky is what we aim for

sonny- from first to last

[anamericangod]

He has his moments.

Well, he's by no means the strongest or "best" vocalist, but I don't think I've heard a song by Thursday and gone "What the fuck is up with his vocals?"

They've always seemed to fit.

[love_american_style]

I'm torn on Geoff Rickley....

I was gonna say him but he writes such good lyrics that i can forgive him for being a terrible vocalist.

[TheOtherAndrew]

Well, he's by no means the strongest or "best" vocalist, but I don't think I've heard a song by Thursday and gone "What the fuck is up with his vocals?"

They've always seemed to fit.
That's true. I'm not a fan of his screaming though.

[char]

i fully disagree with this. brock's distinctive voice only adds to modest mouse's greatness.

That's exactly how MM works. Fans call his voice distinctive and unique and can't imagine the songs working with a different singer, while non-fans consider him to be one of the worst singers in modern rock. My relationship to Brock is like how I feel about Geoff Rickly - I enjoy his voice and think it fits with the music, but I can completely understand why someone else would absolutely hate it.


sonny- from first to last

Oh god how did I forget him? Terrible.

[Shatter590]

tom delounge
ronnie james dio
tim armstrong
guy of atreyu
and
the guy from dragonforce...although their guitar is awesome

im fairly certain nobody listens to Dragonforce for the vocals. Hence the 4 minute guitar solos (Herman Li is fucking brilliant- leave it to an asian to improve upon something we created lol).

I hate M. Shadows singing and screaming voice.

[Crocodile Logic]

i think a lot of people are turned off to The Mountain Goats due to John Darnielle's vocals. however, like Brock for MM, i think his voice complements the music.

take my opinion for what you will though, because i also think Dylan has one of the best voices ever.

that being said, i find Zoli Téglás' (Ignite) vocals to be rather annoying after a while.

[Crocodile Logic]

That's exactly how MM works. Fans call his voice distinctive and unique and can't imagine the songs working with a different singer, while non-fans consider him to be one of the worst singers in modern rock. My relationship to Brock is like how I feel about Geoff Rickly - I enjoy his voice and think it fits with the music, but I can completely understand why someone else would absolutely hate it.
okay, i see your point. for someone who's not into modest mouse, his voice is just one more reason for them to hate the band.

[musicunderfire]

I can't stand Bjork. She drives me nuts.

[mikebup777]

You guys bitch about out of tone voices. In most songs they're supposed to be like that. Not like up and down constantly but some artists make songs to be like that.

[TheOtherAndrew]

You guys bitch about out of tone voices. In most songs they're supposed to be like that. Not like up and down constantly but some artists make songs to be like that.
explain please.

[singyoutocoma]

Dave Elkins of Mae. I think his voice on record sounds alright...maybe a little nasally...but the Connect Sets, another live set, and many reviews from even Mae fans on here testify to this: The man does not hold up live. He can't hit the notes, and the tone is grating as anything.

[Shatter590]

im not so into whoever sings on Circa Survive. hes trying too hard to be claudio sanchez...

[Rearviewmirror]

Anthony Kiedis isn't that bad

Perhaps not, but he's an overrated cunt with an irritating voice. That does it for me.

[versus_god]

I actually kind of like Tim Armstrong's voice, even though the whole "My name is Tiiiiiim" part of "Sidekick" cracks me up every time I hear it.

[secretsociety92]

tom delounge
ronnie james dio
tim armstrong
guy of atreyu
and
the guy from dragonforce...although their guitar is awesome

He is a great singer, he has been in 2 great bands and had an excellent solo career. He may not have the best voice ever but he isn't the worst and to bunch him in with that other crap is very idiotic.

[parkerjamison]

m. shadows

agree

[Hinge]

hawthorne heights.

[flash_gorton]

Craig Owens - Chiodos

His vocals are horrendous.

[Steeeeve]

He is a great singer, he has been in 2 great bands and had an excellent solo career. He may not have the best voice ever but he isn't the worst and to bunch him in with that other crap is very idiotic.

yeah i guess...he was in Black Sabbath so thats gotta count for somthin. he is way better than Tom Delounge and all the other vagi's i mentioned i just can't get used to his voice, the only songs i've heard where his voice sounds awesome are holy diver and rainbow in the dark.

[secretsociety92]

yeah i guess...he was in Black Sabbath so thats gotta count for somthin. he is way better than Tom Delounge and all the other vagi's i mentioned i just can't get used to his voice, the only songs i've heard where his voice sounds awesome are holy diver and rainbow in the dark.
Well it depends on what you have heard really, I have heard most of what he has done so that might be why I like him so much. You could try him in Rainbow on the Rising album.

[Steeeeve]

Well it depends on what you have heard really, I have heard most of what he has done so that might be why I like him so much. You could try him in Rainbow on the Rising album.

thanks. i'll check it out later today.

[secretsociety92]

thanks. i'll check it out later today.
Great, I don't want someday who likes two great songs by him to just leave it at that.

[love_american_style]

im not so into whoever sings on Circa Survive. hes trying too hard to be claudio sanchez...

Anthony Green? Yeah, he's pretty bad....however I did kinda like him in Saosin.

[lew_1987]

i think a lot of people are turned off to The Mountain Goats due to John Darnielle's vocals. however, like Brock for MM, i think his voice complements the music.

take my opinion for what you will though, because i also think Dylan has one of the best voices ever.

that being said, i find Zoli Téglás' (Ignite) vocals to be rather annoying after a while.

eh, i think he's good. although i can kind of understand why he might grate on you.

[Praetor]

i fully disagree with this. brock's distinctive voice only adds to modest mouse's greatness.
I agree, and would apply the same statement to Conor Oberst and Geoff Rickley.

I would say Sonny from FFTL definitely is one of the worst. Even in the studio, where he has a plethora of studio tricks for him to use, he still somehow manages to sound absolutely fucking terrible. I have never heard, and do not want to hear his voice live, so I can't bitch about that.

[xglassjawx]

The guy from Rise Against has a terrible voice. But the rest of the band are no better pahahahaha.

[Anderson]

eh, i think he's good. although i can kind of understand why he might grate on you.
I really like the vocals in Ignite as well. As for worst vocalists I've had the misfortune to see both Immortal and Cradle Of Filth live so I can't looked any further than the guys in dubious make up.

[hailthewarrior]

Agreed on both. I thought about putting Adam on my list but I was completely sure someone else would mention him. I forced myself to watch an entire bootleg TBS show one time and my head still hurts from listening to Adam struggle to sing his own arrangements.

Plus I can't think of a vocalist who points the mic at the crowd more often, probably because he's out of breath half the time.

Jared Leto does it so often it looks like Adam is singing the whole time, I saw them back to back at a radio show, so true.

Spencer Chamberlain (Underoath)- Can't scream. Enough said.

Bert McCracken (The Used)- Terrible, off pitch voice. Voice gets worn out quickly. All you have to do is listen to "Berth" and you will see what I mean.

I disagree with the first (and I'm surprised you said him), but I definitely agree with Bert.

Anthony Green takes the cake for me, though.

[duhpunk]

I disagree with the first (and I'm surprised you said him), but I definitely agree with Bert.

Anthony Green takes the cake for me, though.

777 only reminded me of how bad he is live.


haha. :appl: we're gonna get flamed for that one...

[hailthewarrior]

777 only reminded me of how bad he is live.


haha. :appl: we're gonna get flamed for that one...

haha. he's gotten so much better since that show, but yes, he was pretty bad on that one. the three times i saw them in may (cstone, with norma jean twice) he sounded so much better.

who cares? he sucks, haha.

[Bingham88]

[B]1) Tim Armstrong of Rancid/Transplants

[B]3) Tom Delonge of Blink-182/Box Car Racer/Angels and Airwaves

[B]4) Brian Johnson of AC/DC



i severly disagree with all of these picks.

not a huge fan of Rancid, but Tim rocks in the Transplants

AVA sucks granted, but B182 Tom is incredible

Brian is one of the best vocalists out there

but thats just my opinion.

[drudo182]

Spencer Chamberlain (Underoath)- Can't scream. Enough said.

Bert McCracken (The Used)- Terrible, off pitch voice. Voice gets worn out quickly. All you have to do is listen to "Berth" and you will see what I mean.

Dude, what? Spencer has an awesome scream. Especially on Define.

[Limousene]

Tom Delonge of Blink-182/Box Car Racer/Angels and Airwaves

well said. shite vocalist. The epitome of a whiny american. can't stand his vocals

[duhpunk]

Dude, what? Spencer has an awesome scream. Especially on Define.

studio recording. they can even make Tom Delonge sound decent. go see Underoath live and tell me Spencer has an awesome scream. or even just watch the 777 dvd.

[TheOtherAndrew]

AVA sucks granted, but B182 Tom is incredible
Have you listened to Blink during some of their later shows? He was awful.

lzo3HXqvRuo&mode=related&search=
case and point.

[hailthewarrior]

studio recording. they can even make Tom Delonge sound decent. gosee Underoath live and tell me Spencer has an awesome scream. or even just watch the 777 dvd.

haha. he's gotten so much better since that show, but yes, he was pretty bad on that one. the three times i saw them in may (cstone, with norma jean twice) he sounded so much better.

^^

[billymonk]

patrick stump...im surprised no one said him yet you cant understand what hes singing half the time

[mikebup777]

explain please.
It's pretty hard to explain but it like some singers want their voice to sound liek that like they can sing right but it would sound better with the song the other way.

[jorn444]

patrick stump...im surprised no one said him yet you cant understand what hes singing half the time
because he's not one of the worst vocalists in music?

[TheOtherAndrew]

patrick stump...im surprised no one said him yet you cant understand what hes singing half the time
in the studio i would go as far as to say he's good.

live, not so much, though.

[TheOtherAndrew]

It's pretty hard to explain but it like some singers want their voice to sound liek that like they can sing right but it would sound better with the song the other way.
is english your first language?

[Limousene]

disagree on Patrick Stump, he's got a great voice IMO

[duhpunk]

^^

he blows harder than Hurricane Katrina

[billymonk]

because he's not one of the worst vocalists in music?

wow that was very well stated but im just sayin some people like to understand what the singer is saying...maybe thats just not your kinda thing

[Limousene]

i dunno, i think 'not understanding' what a singer is saying isn't that unusual. Plenty of songs by plenty of bands have lines that are hard to distinguish, that doesn't make them bad vocalists.

[Yes. And?]

The dude of MCR, Anthony Kiedis, cunt of Bright Eyes, arse of Billy Talent (and now i havent mentioned bitches like britney, madonna and all boy bands but I don't consider that music, so..)
No.

Dude from Aiden, Bert from the Used, guy from CIWWAF.

[iaminsane20]

No.

Dude from Aiden, Bert from the Used, guy from CIWWAF.
agreed.

[Raoul]

M Shadows. Eurgh.
Gerard Way
Bert McCracken
Conner Oberst
And lots of people may hate me for this, but I can't stand him: Billy Corgan

[TheOtherAndrew]

Oh yeah, I was going to mention him in my original post, but I figured it was a somewhat obvious choice. Since no one's mentioned him yet, I guess I was wrong.

Bob Dylan

He's written some of the greatest songs of all time, but his voice is underwhelming and its gotten more and more frog sounding over the years.

If anything, he's probably an indicator that people who aren't that great at singing can make it in music, but still, that doesn't take away from the fact that he's consistently been able to sound 15 years older than he's supposed to sound.

[knifeparty1]

even though they don't sing in english, i am going to go with dir en grey

[hailthewarrior]

M Shadows. Eurgh.
Bert McCracken
Conner Oberst
And lots of people may hate me for this, but I can't stand him: Billy Corgan

Whole-heartedly agree with all.

[dejaxentendu]

dude from red jumpsuit apparatus
what is his name?

[duhpunk]

dude from red jumpsuit apparatus
what is his name?

he's not that bad. but his band has gotten very annoying lately

[TheOtherAndrew]

dude from red jumpsuit apparatus
what is his name?
who gives a shit?

i agree though, sounds like every other radio rock band singer.

[ticklemyfancy]

6) Darby Crash of The Germs

He's called a poet and one of the best lyricists in the history of punk rock, but he couldn't sing in the studio, and he certainly couldn't sing live. During his performance in The Decline of Civilization, he appears onstage completely intoxicated, mumbling the words to his own songs. On their album, (GI), his vocal style sounds barely human, and intolerable even for a hardcore band. Regardless of how legendary he is within the punk rock scene, Darby Crash is not a good vocalist.


haha my best friend's dad is the guy who yells "darby, the microphone!" or something like that, in that movie.

[TheOtherAndrew]

haha my best friend's dad is the guy who yells "darby, the microphone!" or something like that, in that movie.
hahaha that's awesome.

[IWasaCamera]

For worst technical vocalists, I'd go with Conor Oberst, Isaac Brock, and Jeff Mangum. 3 of my favorite bands regardless.

[geekchic]

Clap Your Hands Say Yeah for sure.

[turncoat93]

i fucking love that name

[turncoat93]

ciwwaf.
thread closed.

[GatDangKirk]

Alesana
Blessthefall

[Yes. And?]

Alesana...how could I forget that one? What an awful band.

[myantiyou]

2) Connor Oberst of Bright Eyes/Desaparecidos

His vocal capabilities have definitely improved over the years (he seems to have worked on them while recording Cassadaga especially), but this still doesn't take away from the fact that his range is so limited. Again, I have a huge amount of respect for Conor as a songwriter, but his voice just seems to ruin it completely on a lot of earlier Bright Eyes material, like A Perfect Sonnet or most of the Fevers and Mirrors album.

:-0

To each his own, but I love that effect.

[myantiyou]

I say Tom DeLonge or Avril Lavigne though.

Explanation unneeded.

[duhpunk]

Tim armstrong

[giovanni_c]

Shaant from Cute Is What We Aim For.

The pitch is just unlistenable, and it's kind of quivery. "Quivery" is a complaint I have about Cartel's vocals, but it's only an egde of the vocals, not the whole component.

[stupidtyonparad]

you leave tim armstrong alone! hahaha his voice is harsh and gross, but thats his style. rancid vocals are on a whole, way better live i think.


oh and tom delonge is now an awful singer. which makes sense, he fronts a miserable band. hes so whiney. mark carried the vocals in blink

[punkfritterx37]

So the guy who sings for Fair to Midland likes to warble just a little too much, and the lead singer of Drop Dead, Gorgeous pretty much sounds like a dying, occasionally demon-possessed cat. Shame really, cuz the instrumentals for that band are really good. the end.

[Indie Bracelet]

Not the worst vocalist, but Jordan from NFG... I can't listen to them the way I used to. When I was in Intermediate, I _loved_ them. I can't get through a full album anymore though. Not all at once.

[HangsLikeHeaven]

Shaant from Cute Is What We Aim For.

The pitch is just unlistenable, and it's kind of quivery. "Quivery" is a complaint I have about Cartel's vocals, but it's only an egde of the vocals, not the whole component.

Why would you mention Cartel in a thread like this?

[TheOtherAndrew]

Not the worst vocalist, but Jordan from NFG... I can't listen to them the way I used to. When I was in Intermediate, I _loved_ them. I can't get through a full album anymore though. Not all at once.
His voice definitely can be irritating, but he shares that quality with a lot of singers from the pop-punk community. Technically, he's not bad at all though.

[enossel]

Spencer Chamberlain (Underoath)- Can't scream. Enough said..


Someone obviously hasn't heard Spencer back in his This Runs Through days. Underoath is absolutely unbearable to listen to in Underoath, but when he screamed in This Runs Through, it was much more nicely done.

Listening to Underoath makes me want to stab myself in the eyes.
This Runs Through is good jams though.

[lew_1987]

you leave tim armstrong alone! hahaha his voice is harsh and gross, but thats his style. rancid vocals are on a whole, way better live i think.


oh and tom delonge is now an awful singer. which makes sense, he fronts a miserable band. hes so whiney. mark carried the vocals in blink

he's so whiney, "but that's his style."

[monty2007]

all blink vocals were poor, and at best average...

[myantiyou]

in the studio i would go as far as to say he's good.

live, not so much, though.

Yep, he sounds like shit live.

[myantiyou]

all blink vocals were poor, and at best average...

Truth.

I'll also say Senses Fail blows extremely bad live. Their live voice is way diff from the studio, in a bad way.

[smile...]

I'll also say Senses Fail blows extremely bad live. Their live voice is way diff from the studio, in a bad way.


I didn't think they were THAT bad live.
They weren't the best, but not horrible

[lolimkate]

patrick stump...im surprised no one said him yet you cant understand what hes singing half the time

i'm by no means a huge fall out boy fan, but i saw them play an acoustic set a few years ago and he sounded perfect.

[TheOtherAndrew]

all blink vocals were poor, and at best average...
Mark being the average half.

[banana_hammock]

Tom Delonge

Dude from Panic! at the Disco

Brendan Kelly- although I enjoy him very much, maybe my favorite vocalist, he isn't very talented when it comes to singing.

[TheOtherAndrew]

Brendan Kelly- although I enjoy him very much, maybe my favorite vocalist, he isn't very talented when it comes to singing.
Especially live. Neither him nor Chris really excel at live vocals.

But its ok, because their songwriting is freakin' amazing.

[banana_hammock]

Especially live. Neither him nor Chris really excel at live vocals.

But its ok, because their songwriting is freakin' amazing.

Chris didn't even sound that good on Oh! Calcutta. Still, both great just because of their great lyrics and their feeling they put into their singing (yes, I know that sounds a little fruity).

[TheOtherAndrew]

Chris didn't even sound that good on Oh! Calcutta. Still, both great just because of their great lyrics and their feeling they put into their singing (yes, I know that sounds a little fruity).
I thought his singing was great on the few moments that it was actually him (Lose Your Illusion I)

[banana_hammock]

I thought his singing was great on the few moments that it was actually him (Lose Your Illusion I)

He was kinda flat. Especially on Are You ther Margaret, It's me God?

Lose Your Illusion 1 is a great song. Like I said, these guys aren't the best vocalists, but I'd take guys over an American Idol any day.

[TheOtherAndrew]

Lose Your Illusion 1 is a great song. Like I said, these guys aren't the best vocalists, but I'd take guys over an American Idol any day.
amen.

[banana_hammock]

amen.

It's great talking to someone with such impeccable taste in music.

[TheOtherAndrew]

It's great talking to someone with such impeccable taste in music.
:bow:
same to you, good sir.

[versus_god]

Especially live. Neither him nor Chris really excel at live vocals.

But its ok, because their songwriting is freakin' amazing.

Every time I've seen them they've both been pretty drunk, so that might have something to do with it. I love both of their voices regardless.

[TheOtherAndrew]

Every time I've seen them they've both been pretty drunk, so that might have something to do with it. I love both of their voices regardless.
true dat. those guys know how to have a good time.

[Intertwined]

im not so into whoever sings on Circa Survive. hes trying too hard to be claudio sanchez...

He's trying to be a woman and his mouth looks like The Joker from Batman.

Sonny Moore - From First To Last

Guy from Glassjaw

Guy from He Is Legend

[Mandycandypants]

Sonny Moore, singer from Aiden, M Shadows

Live:
Gerard Way
Buddy Nelson
Cove Reber

[KidRobot]

Guy from Glassjaw


Slamming Daryl Palumbo, especially in Gj is not a good idea on this site...

[emerypearl]

I know theyve been mentioned
Anthony Green & Cove Reber are taking my cake for worst vocalists.

[mutiny]

i don't get the hate for anthony but whatever, to each their own.

bert from the used is terrible to me. and as much as i love he is legend, schuylar is pretty bad.

[Rearviewmirror]

This is an awful subject since there are so many vocalists you know who do suck and a few that are great. Are we supposed to jot down like 10 000 names? Behave!

[hailthewarrior]

Guy from He Is Legend


and as much as i love he is legend, schuylar is pretty bad.

he's not bad at all, people. listen to "the seduction" again and clean your ears. :-P

[BGP]

Slamming Daryl Palumbo, especially in Gj is not a good idea on this site...
but he does have a horrible voice

[KidRobot]

but he does have a horrible voice

I've heard much worse....much much worse.

[TheOtherAndrew]

This is an awful subject since there are so many vocalists you know who do suck and a few that are great. Are we supposed to jot down like 10 000 names? Behave!
if you don't like it, go make your own amazing thread.

[makemefoolish]

Sonny Moore - From First To Last

Guy from Glassjaw

Guy from He Is Legend


while I completely agree with Sonny Moore, I don't so much feel the same way about Daryl Palumbo or Schuylar Croom. Anthony Green is also amazing, but everyone is always so divided on him, so that one wasn't surprising.

[Intertwined]

he's not bad at all, people. listen to "the seduction" again and clean your ears. :-P

No.

while I completely agree with Sonny Moore, I don't so much feel the same way about Daryl Palumo or Schuylar Croom. Anthony Green is also amazing, but everyone is always so divided on him, so that one wasn't surprising.

I think you just have a horrible taste in music. No offense.

[Intertwined]

Slamming Daryl Palumbo, especially in Gj is not a good idea on this site...

What are you going to do? Rape me? ...Sicko.

[harpsichord]

Slamming Daryl Palumbo, especially in Gj is not a good idea on this site...


i can understand someone not liking his voice because they're not used to his style (of actually being able to sing without many voice inflections) . pay close attention to it in Worship and Tribute and you'll notice that he rarely wavers when he hits notes

[TheOtherAndrew]

Slamming Daryl Palumbo, especially in Gj is not a good idea on this site...
Thanks to this song/band, I will slam Daryl Palumbo as much as I feel like.

dOEVVihCyRU

[singyoutocoma]

he's not bad at all, people. listen to "the seduction" again and clean your ears. :-P

I completely agree. On Suck Out The Poison, I could see why people wouldn't like him, but I think he sounds amazing on really all of I Am Hollywood.

I think you just have a horrible taste in music. No offense.

Good Lord, sir. She likes Anathallo, Manchester Orchestra, Brand New, Neutral Milk Hotel, mewithoutYou, Saves the Day, and Glassjaw. You like Linkin Park, My Chemical Romance, Cute Is What We Aim For, Three Days Grace, The Used, Fall Out Boy, and Sum 41. Not that I pass any judgment whatsoever on your respective music tastes, but I assure you that in the opinions of most everyone on this website, hers will be regarded as better by far.

In fact, yours is to the point where I'm not even sure if you're a very subtle fake profile or not. Honestly not trying to be a jerk. But if you make that criticism, you will make it alone.

[TheOtherAndrew]

Good Lord, sir. She likes Anathallo, Manchester Orchestra, Brand New, Neutral Milk Hotel, mewithoutYou, Saves the Day, and Glassjaw. You like Linkin Park, My Chemical Romance, Cute Is What We Aim For, Three Days Grace, The Used, Fall Out Boy, and Sum 41. Not that I pass any judgment whatsoever on your respective music tastes, but I assure you that in the opinions of most everyone on this website, hers will be regarded as better by far.
pwnt

[AlinA82688]

im not so into whoever sings on Circa Survive. hes trying too hard to be claudio sanchez...

take that back

[cereal4life]

Good Lord, sir. She likes Anathallo, Manchester Orchestra, Brand New, Neutral Milk Hotel, mewithoutYou, Saves the Day, and Glassjaw. You like Linkin Park, My Chemical Romance, Cute Is What We Aim For, Three Days Grace, The Used, Fall Out Boy, and Sum 41. Not that I pass any judgment whatsoever on your respective music tastes, but I assure you that in the opinions of most everyone on this website, hers will be regarded as better by far.



I was just about to say the same thing. Good call!

[Mandycandypants]

Alesana...how could I forget that one? What an awful band.

I COULD NOT agree more!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Worst band ever!

[banana_hammock]

Thanks to this song/band, I will slam Daryl Palumbo as much as I feel like.

dOEVVihCyRU

GRADUATION DAAAY!

What a shitty song. And band for that matter.

[chronomic]

dancey-pop-side-projects-turned-full-time-bands are getting lame.

[TheOtherAndrew]

GRADUATION DAAAY!

What a shitty song. And band for that matter.
I've had the holocaust-like pleasure of seeing them perform live. Gross.

[banana_hammock]

I've had the holocaust-like pleasure of seeing them perform live. Gross.

ew. How did that happen?

[TheOtherAndrew]

ew. How did that happen?
I went to an Angels and Airwaves show, back before I realized they're terrible (seeing them live helped me make that decision) and they were on the bill. I didn't want to lose my front row spot, so I just stayed there while they played.

[banana_hammock]

I went to an Angels and Airwaves show, back before I realized they're terrible (seeing them live helped me make that decision) and they were on the bill. I didn't want to lose my front row spot, so I just stayed there while they played.

what a terrible lineup.

[kayli88]

Joel Madden... I don't like his voice.

[bootsydan]

We all know blink 182 and boxcar racer songs wouldnt be half of what they are if tom was a good vocalist. The fact that Tom is not a trained singer just enhances those songs so much.

I think the same goes for Conor Oberst. While his songs may (Arguably) sound better with a good singer, I think the fragileness of his voice enhances the songs. If you had like a Neil Diamond singing 'road to joy' you just wouldnt buy it. So I think Conors voice is perfect for his music.

Adam Lazzara was another name thrown out there. Agreed, he was not about to win any singing awards for Tell All Your Friends... But listen/watch more recent peformances of him. Yeah, maybe he's not perfectly in pitch the whole way through... but does that matter? His voice of recent sounds really cool, almost southernish sometimes. He reminds me of a more energetic version of the strokes singer in a way.


I don't like best/worst vocalist discussions. Because you can be the best technical singer in the world but have no soul in there. Or vice versa. Obviously there has to be some sort coherence. I mean anyone who sings completely out of pitch is gonna sound bad no matter what. But I think the discussion shouldnt be best/worst, but is the voice right for the music? Does the sound of the singers voice make you not want to listen to that band?

There is an exception though. Singers that sound ok on album but absolutely terrible live... no one likes that. So pay out on those guys all you like haha.

[makemefoolish]

I think you just have a horrible taste in music. No offense.

Well I'm obviously going to have to disagree with you on that one. And I hate to call people out on their taste in music... but really? Cute Is What We Aim For?

[makemefoolish]

I think the same goes for Conor Oberst. While his songs may (Arguably) sound better with a good singer, I think the fragileness of his voice enhances the songs. If you had like a Neil Diamond singing 'road to joy' you just wouldnt buy it. So I think Conors voice is perfect for his music.

The emotion in Conor's voice is what does it for me. I can definitely see why his voice wouldn't appeal to some people, and he isn't exactly classically trained, but the amount of emotion he can covey more than makes it up.

Adam Lazzara was another name thrown out there. Agreed, he was not about to win any singing awards for Tell All Your Friends... But listen/watch more recent peformances of him. Yeah, maybe he's not perfectly in pitch the whole way through... but does that matter? His voice of recent sounds really cool, almost southernish sometimes. He reminds me of a more energetic version of the strokes singer in a way.

Adam grew up in North Carolina, hence the southern accent. When TBS first started up, I suppose he tried to cover it up, but it seems like he's gotten more comfortable with it as of late. I think that adds so much to his live performances, because there's nothing worse than a self-conscious frontman.

[BUTTERisLOVE]

2) Adam Lazzara - Taking Back Sunday

An overpowering vocalist who can't stay in key is one of the worst combos you can have. He's gotten slightly better on record (probably due to studio tricks), but he's still absolutely terrible live.
agreed. i saw them in 2005 when they were co-headlining with Jimmy Eat World and i thought they were absolutely horrid. he swung his mic around his neck so many times i thought he was going to choke himself.
i mean i like their albums, but they don't translate well live.

[BUTTERisLOVE]

Spencer Chamberlain (Underoath)- Can't scream. Enough said.

Bert McCracken (The Used)- Terrible, off pitch voice. Voice gets worn out quickly. All you have to do is listen to "Berth" and you will see what I mean.
agreed. i don't like listening to either.

[MADSTA]

Ashlee Simpson.

[BUTTERisLOVE]

The dude of MCR, Anthony Kiedis, cunt of Bright Eyes, arse of Billy Talent (and now i havent mentioned bitches like britney, madonna and all boy bands but I don't consider that music, so..)
finally someone agrees with me that Gerard Way is not that good of a singer, especially live.
i tried to watch that myspace live performance the other night, but i couldn't because it was giving me a headache.

[BUTTERisLOVE]

buddy neilson of senses fail

shaant whatever-sucky is what we aim for

sonny- from first to last
agree completely. ugh... i had to leave the concert and hide in the bathroom where i couldn't hear him... that's how bad it was.

[BUTTERisLOVE]

hawthorne heights.
saw them once and had to leave.
just horrible.

Craig Owens - Chiodos

His vocals are horrendous.
agreed.

Anthony Green? Yeah, he's pretty bad....however I did kinda like him in Saosin.
just bad.

Oh yeah, I was going to mention him in my original post, but I figured it was a somewhat obvious choice. Since no one's mentioned him yet, I guess I was wrong.

Bob Dylan

He's written some of the greatest songs of all time, but his voice is underwhelming and its gotten more and more frog sounding over the years.

If anything, he's probably an indicator that people who aren't that great at singing can make it in music, but still, that doesn't take away from the fact that he's consistently been able to sound 15 years older than he's supposed to sound.
i agree that his voice is shitty and one of the crappiest ever. he started the tren of it being ok for people to sing crappy and still become popular, but he is one of the most copied and idolized lyricists ever.
i don't like him personally, but i do credit him for what he has done for the music industry.

[Intertwined]

Well I'm obviously going to have to disagree with you on that one. And I hate to call people out on their taste in music... but really? Cute Is What We Aim For?

But really? Brand New?

Come on now, The Devil And God Are Raging Inside Me? Sheeeesh.

[mike l]

im not so into whoever sings on Circa Survive. hes trying too hard to be claudio sanchez...

hahahahahahahahaha im sure someone else responded but i didnt go through the other 8 pages sooooooooo hahahahahahah

[The Antiprom]

Frank Casillas of Voodoo Glow Skulls. That man should probably never be allowed to sing ever.

[BUTTERisLOVE]

i hate Dave Matthews and Chris Martin's (Coldplay) voices.

ugh... their voices just annoy me. don't really know why, but they do.

i'm also not to particular for the dude from The Fray and James Blunt.

[Westfall]

Dave Matthews actually has a really good voice, stays in key for an entire concert, really solid vocalist.

But yeah, Conor Oberst and Bob Dylan have crappy vocal skills, but I still love both of them. And the dude from Me and Him Call It Us.

[BUTTERisLOVE]

Dave Matthews actually has a really good voice, stays in key for an entire concert, really solid vocalist.

But yeah, Conor Oberst and Bob Dylan have crappy vocal skills, but I still love both of them. And the dude from Me and Him Call It Us.

probably, but i just don't like his voice.
it's like one of those sounds you just can't stand for me at least.

[banana_hammock]

We all know blink 182 and boxcar racer songs wouldnt be half of what they are if tom was a good vocalist. The fact that Tom is not a trained singer just enhances those songs so much.

I think the same goes for Conor Oberst. While his songs may (Arguably) sound better with a good singer, I think the fragileness of his voice enhances the songs. If you had like a Neil Diamond singing 'road to joy' you just wouldnt buy it. So I think Conors voice is perfect for his music.

Adam Lazzara was another name thrown out there. Agreed, he was not about to win any singing awards for Tell All Your Friends... But listen/watch more recent peformances of him. Yeah, maybe he's not perfectly in pitch the whole way through... but does that matter? His voice of recent sounds really cool, almost southernish sometimes. He reminds me of a more energetic version of the strokes singer in a way.


I don't like best/worst vocalist discussions. Because you can be the best technical singer in the world but have no soul in there. Or vice versa. Obviously there has to be some sort coherence. I mean anyone who sings completely out of pitch is gonna sound bad no matter what. But I think the discussion shouldnt be best/worst, but is the voice right for the music? Does the sound of the singers voice make you not want to listen to that band?

There is an exception though. Singers that sound ok on album but absolutely terrible live... no one likes that. So pay out on those guys all you like haha.

tom delonge is too shitty for me. I agree with the energy stuff that you are saying, and that singers need soul, but tom delonge is too much for me to enjoy his songs.

[LifeInDecay]

Jesus there dosn't seem to be anyone with good vocals.

As for me I can't really say who i don't like becasue i don't judge vocals on pitch and stuff. As long as the way the person is sings matches the style of the music im fine with it.

[Daveyhavok832]

I think it's a real shame that a lot of singers out there can't match thier "studio voice." If I were to use that as judgement criteria, I would say 80% of the vocalists out there. But to single out some... Tony Lavoto (MEST and A Permanent Holiday), James Dewees (Reggie & the Full Effect), Oliver Hart (Eyedea & Abilities), The dude from Just Surrender, Jordan Pundik (New Found Glory), Bert McCrackin (The Used), and Gerard Way (My Chemical Romance

[CellarGhosts]

that douchesack from Escape the Fate. and then the singer from Hinder is really awful too.

[TeenageMustache]

i can't stand the guy's voice from Say Anything. god awful.

[CellarGhosts]

the guy from Aiden is another obvious answer. although there's one song of theirs I can stand, where he actually displays an ability to sing, rather than just moan, wail, and wheeze his way thorugh a song.

[AndyAnarchy]

i can't stand the guy's voice from Say Anything. god awful.
High five, braw. :D
I agree with you wholeheartedly.

[RecycledHearts]

Oli Sykes of bring me the horizon, I know, they're supposed to be screamo or metalcore or whatever, but he sounds like someone throwing up after a bad night out.

Tom Delonge definately, his voice is too whiny, I can only listen to the Blink 182 songs where Mark Hoppus is on lead vocals

[makemefoolish]

But really? Brand New?

Come on now, The Devil And God Are Raging Inside Me? Sheeeesh.

I never thought someone would try to tell me that Cute Is What We Aim For is better than any album Brand New has put out.

[kenko]

Whoever is Mr. Fallout Boy drives me nuts! Oh and whoever is the does the vocals for Nickelback also fails. Epically.

[AlecLangleyxoxo]

Dashboard Confessional guy. Yucky.

[CellarGhosts]

I would nominate Axl Rose, though he can sing...theres just certain GNR songs where his voice is pretty bad.

[CellarGhosts]

oh, and I agree about the Tim Armstrong statement, Andrew. I love Rancid (for the most part) too, but sometimes Tim's voice gets really irritating.

[CellarGhosts]

I never thought someone would try to tell me that Cute Is What We Aim For is better than any album Brand New has put out.
someone honestly said that?

wtf

[makemefoolish]

someone honestly said that?

wtf

I was disagreeing with one kid's post and he replied by telling me my taste in music is horrible, but he likes CIWWAF, FOB, MCR... so I didn't take him seriously. But according to him, Brand New (at least TDAGARIM era) legit sucks. interesting.

[xosmartiesox]

I was disagreeing with one kid's post and he replied by telling me my taste in music is horrible, but he likes CIWWAF, FOB, MCR... so I didn't take him seriously. But according to him, Brand New (at least TDAGARIM era) legit sucks. interesting.

well that guys a twat. CIWWAF are a joke band.

brody dalle has a pretty sucky voice.
and the guy from aiden
and dont even get me started on charlie simpson..

[hailthewarrior]

wiL

[kwsqd]

There's just something about him, but Isaac Brock's voice... I just can't stand.

[TheOtherAndrew]

oh, and I agree about the Tim Armstrong statement, Andrew. I love Rancid (for the most part) too, but sometimes Tim's voice gets really irritating.
have you heard the songs where Matt Freeman sings? he sounds like cookie monster! its hilarious.
I never thought someone would try to tell me that Cute Is What We Aim For is better than any album Brand New has put out.
KILL.

[Run]

i HATE,all of the nasally voices of mall punk. I like a few Blink 182 songs though.

[lew_1987]

have you heard the songs where Matt Freeman sings? he sounds like cookie monster! its hilarious.

i've heard don't call me white on the nofx split cd. pretty funny.

[CellarGhosts]

have you heard the songs where Matt Freeman sings? he sounds like cookie monster! its hilarious.

KILL.
hmmm...I think so. I own several Rancid CDs, but the only one Ive listened to lately is ...And Out Come the Wolves, so Im not sure if he sings on there or not...I do seem to remember a song called "Rigged On a Fix" off a different album of theirs having some pretty gruff vocals on it, maybe that's Matt?

[CellarGhosts]

I was disagreeing with one kid's post and he replied by telling me my taste in music is horrible, but he likes CIWWAF, FOB, MCR... so I didn't take him seriously. But according to him, Brand New (at least TDAGARIM era) legit sucks. interesting.
ah I see.

[TheOtherAndrew]

hmmm...I think so. I own several Rancid CDs, but the only one Ive listened to lately is ...And Out Come the Wolves, so Im not sure if he sings on there or not...I do seem to remember a song called "Rigged On a Fix" off a different album of theirs having some pretty gruff vocals on it, maybe that's Matt?
Maybe. I know he sings on the song Rejected.

But if you can find their cover of Don't Call Me White, listen to it. Its amazing and he sings lead on that one.

[CellarGhosts]

Maybe. I know he sings on the song Rejected.

But if you can find their cover of Don't Call Me White, listen to it. Its amazing and he sings lead on that one.
hmm, I dont have that one actually. the Rancid albums I have are Let's Go!, ...And Out Come the Wolves, Life Won't Wait, Rancid, and Indestructible, so idk if he sings on any of those songs. he might though.

but I can look for that song sometime, the only song I have from that split is NOFX's cover of "Olympia, WA", which I really enjoy alot, so Ive been thinking of just buying that entire CD.

[TheOtherAndrew]

hmm, I dont have that one actually. the Rancid albums I have are Let's Go!, ...And Out Come the Wolves, Life Won't Wait, Rancid, and Indestructible, so idk if he sings on any of those songs. he might though.

but I can look for that song sometime, the only song I have from that split is NOFX's cover of "Olympia, WA", which I really enjoy alot, so Ive been thinking of just buying that entire CD.
Yeah its a good cover. Although I like Rancid's better. The NOFX version though, has better vocals.

Damn that Tim Armstrong.

[CellarGhosts]

Yeah its a good cover. Although I like Rancid's better. The NOFX version though, has better vocals.

Damn that Tim Armstrong.
yeah, that's true. sometimes Tim's vocals are good, and really fit the song, but other times (see: "Start Now") they just dont do it for me haha.

[meliisssaaaa]

very surprised you picked tom delonge over buddy nielsen. most people on this site love toms and hate buddys voice

[alteridem1]

matt from amber pacific, every time I listen to him I get a suspicion that he doesn't belong in the scene he is in, and here is why:"Favorite Bands? - Fall Out Boy, All-American Rejects, Newfound Glory, Simple Plan, and Jacks Mannequin."
-quote from amberpacific.com

[lew_1987]

Maybe. I know he sings on the song Rejected.

But if you can find their cover of Don't Call Me White, listen to it. Its amazing and he sings lead on that one.

haha yeah, that's the one.

[AVAstar]

I personally dislike Davey Havok's voice from AFI. It sounds so lame and ewwwwww.

[makemefoolish]

I personally dislike Davey Havok's voice from AFI. It sounds so lame and ewwwwww.

yeah, I don't dig AFI in general. I don't think it's all Davey's voice, but he certainly doesn't help the situation any.

[myantiyou]

most people on this site love toms

Not so sure.

[Chromefox]

You never realize how out of tune Adam Lazzara's voice is until you try to match him singing along, and you find that it's quite painful and unnatural to try and hit somewhere BETWEEN two notes.