Damn you, Bob Dylan. Your inability to sing was overshadowed by your great songwriting, but nowadays anyone thinks they can sing in a band. And it’s all thanks to you.
Thankfully, some of the more modern bad singers are actually pretty good. My six favorite:
Okkervil River/Shearwater (Will Sheff)
Starting out this list is Will Sheff, vocalist for Okkervil River (and sometimes for Shearwater, too). Our introductory entry is such a bad singer that I won’t play any of his songs in front of anyone that’s unfamiliar with him, unless I have plenty of time to explain his voice away before pressing the play button. If you can get past all the flat notes, you’ll come to realize that Mr. Sheff is not only a brilliant songwriter but a great lyricist as well. But that doesn’t make that initial reaction any easier to swallow. (Song: “Well Benjamin”, from Shearwater’s Everybody Makes Mistakes, 2003)
—
Cursive/The Good Life (Tim Kasher)
What’s with bad singers singing in more than one band? Tim Kasher flaunts his stuff in a double-dose, too. He’s not the worst singer in the world, but it’s really apparent that he wasn’t born to sing - every word out of his mouth takes some serious effort. And what makes his singing sound even more off and dissonant is Cursive’s already-dissonant sound. Altogether, it turns into a big mess. But it’s a good mess, you know, like rubbing your butt on $240 worth of pudding. (Song: “A Gentlemen Caller”, from Cursive’s The Ugly Organ, 2003)
—
Art Brut (Eddie Argos)
Mmmm. Talk-singing. At what point does it go from sincere and clever to being downright boring? Luckily, Eddie Argos chooses the former over the latter, and his material is almost always interesting. Granted, without his almost-punk charm and thick accent he’d probably be lost in the crowd, but let’s count our blessings, okay? At least he tries to hit some actual notes sometimes. (Song: “Emily Kane”, from Art Brut’s Bang Bang Rock and Roll, 2005)
—
mewithoutYou (Aaron Weiss)
And then there’s the other side of talk-singing’s spectrum, that whole “poetry recital” territory. Aaron Weiss sounds like he’s spewing his innermost secrets straight out of his diary. What prompted me to add this track is the fact that they have one of our great modern singers, Sunny Day Real Estate’s Jeremy Enigk, contribute guest vocals during some mewithoutYou songs, including the one below. Even Jeremy Enigk couldn’t salvage this train wreck, though. (Song: “The Dryness and the Rain”, from mewithoutYou’s Brother, Sister, 2006)
—
Sunset Rubdown/Wolf Parade (Spencer Krug)
Spencer Krug sounds downright inhuman sometimes. I like to imagine that his talking voice sounds like that. Could you imagine working at a coffee shop and this guy comes in with this voice, ordering a grande iced chai tea latte? I would shit my pants. Can you serve frogmen drinks, legally? Does being Canadian exclude you from having to be a bad singer? Case in point: Leonard Cohen? (Song: “They Took A Vote And Said No”, from Sunset Rubdown’s Shut Up I Am Dreaming, 2006)
—
Clap Your Hands Say Yeah (Alec Ounsworth)
Alec Ounsworth’s absolutely awesomely horrible voice inspired me to make this list in the first place. Just listen to that thing wail! It’s like The Talking Heads, Television and Rosanne Barr/Arnold had a love child. (Song: “Heavy Metal”, taken from Clap Your Hands Say Yeah’s self-titled debut, 2005)
I would like to submit the Weakerthans for consideration.
I would like to submit the following:
Jets to Brazil’s singer.
Bear vs. Shark’s singer.
That one guy who’s name I forget right now.
I’m glad you put MWY and Cursive.
I’m personally disappointed that Tim Kasher is in there - I reall like cursive, but you are kind of right, although I think sometimes bad singing works for certain bands. I also think Wolf Parade are alright too but completely agree about the vocals.
I think an honourable mention should go to the singer from Interpol, and, as much as I like these bands, I’m surprised that The Appleseed Cast and Cap’n Jazz didn’t get a mention.
OK just re-read your post and realised you weren’t taking the piss out of these bands - OK so i’m a little drunk, it’s all good!
Oh yeah, and Lucero’s singer. I love his terrible/awesome raspy voice.
Tim Kinsella (Cap’n Jazz, Owls, Joan of Arc) is a bad singer in a bad way. I do like the Appleseed Cast’s singer, he does well with what he’s given. Have you heard his solo record, Old Canes? It’s really good. I considered the Lucero singer but he sings his niche well.
I’ve just finished downloading it now, so will check it out. Those mountain goats albums kick ass - thanks for the tip. Any more recommendations?
lol I checked itunes after reading Russ’ top 5 albums of the year so far, and (including Heretic Pride) I only have two albums that were released this year; the other was Pneuma by Moving Mountains - it’s a pretty solid album.
blaktail, I have a post coming out this week that you’ll like. Keep your eyes peeled…
Sweet. Will do.