And despite the comments and criticism, any one of the above-named people will never change, because enough other people like their music and singing to have made them very well off indeed.
De gustibus non est disputandum.
-“BB”-
The Decemberists have a lyrical affectation - not sure the word for it but it’s something like vibrato or tremolo – that once it was pointed out to me I couldn’t unhear, and if not for that I’d want to get into their music.
Mom Jeans have a controversial voice as well - while the post emo-revival scene has a tolerance for imperfect singing, for many, including myself, Mom Jeans goes beyond that into bad bad. Otherwise, I’d definitely get into them because they have enough of a classic emo revival sound that I want to but can’t get beyond their horrible singing.
I don’t relate to this at all because Fall Out Boy’s singing seems to be a not-particularly-affected straightforward mix of pop punk and hard rock. That said, I can see why some of the titles can be annoying, except that Sugar, We’re Goin Down is one of the worse examples in their discography since most of the title is actually found in the chorus.
All of Bob Seger’s song are about his penis.
I think he has a good voice, though.
Well, that explains The Fire Down Below.
Yeah, I don’t hate the rest of his stuff but I’ve long thought that the crocodile tears of Turn the Page, as well as others in the genre like Life’s Been Good and Takin’ Care of Business are self-indulgent to the point of snowflakery (even if TCB is about how easy it is rather than hard, and LBG does have the line “i can’t complain but sometimes I still do” I lump them together in the genre of “boring songs about how being a rock star is actually like”)
The difference with “Life’s Been Good” is that he’s parodying what a rock star’s life is like.
Rolling Stones, or maybe its Mick Jagger’s mating-cats-going-through-a-thresher-nails-on-a-chalkboard voice, not sure.
I know the put out good music because when other performers do covers of their songs, they’re actually enjoyable. When Jagger performs (I just can’t call ot singing), the songs are awful.
Jim Brewer’s Goat Boy has nothing on Shawn Mendes
to my ears.
In the early 80s, there was a trend of British stars that I characterized as “Whiny Limeys” (apology to any Brits that might be insulted). Morrisy / Smiths; the Cure; etc. “We hate it when our friends become successful” - well stop your %&$@ing whining and do something about it! “Why can’t I be you?” Because you’re not. Get over it. Love the background music, but once the vocals start, I’m lunging for the radio. Can’t handle the whining. Billy Corgan / Smashing Pumpkins - same thing.
Van Morrison or Tom Petty might be nasal in their performance, but it isn’t whiny. Joe Cocker has that gravelly voice, but it works with the orchestration he does. You ever hear Randy Newman’s original of “Leave Your Hat On”? I hear Joe Cocker, and I’m imagining a film noir, with a guy wearing a trench coat and fedora, lots of fog, etc. When I hear Randy Newman, I’m imagining a toothless guy wearing stained white undershirt and boxer shorts.
That would only make them sing louder.
Awhile back I started listening to a couple of Dave Matthews Band songs to see what the fuss was about. His wretched vocals put an end to that fast.
Minnie Riperton, who fortunately had only one big hit, was a major threat to one’s ears, plus any glassware within range.
Then there’s Phil Alvin, lead singer for the otherwise good '50s-esque rock band The Blasters. His singing is so affected as to destroy many of their songs for me.