This band featuring ex-members of Crippled Black Phoenix is releasing a new slab of ethereal wonderment. It also finds Irish singer and former Sister of Mercy backing vocalist Lisa Cuthbert at the microphone. The opening track rides a wave of atmosphere. It is a very ambient form of alt pop, that flirts with the elements of shoe gaze and dream pop without conforming to either. There is less movement to the second song which is more like a less radio friendly version of Sarah Mclachlan. Cuthbert still maintains emotional urgency to her voice, the song it self , feels more like it works off a sound. I am sure if you were on the right drugs it would make more sense.
"Peregination" works more of synths, this time with a low baritone vocal joining in. You would think that they would be trying to emulate Sisters of Mercy here, and while that might be some of the inspiration they are doing more of their own thing as the dancey elements are not in place. They hit you with dramatic punches when the guitar kicks in that is more like waves crashing from a coming storm. "Radiant Void' has more of an electronic pulse. The chorus drifts off when song begins to kick in. This might focus more on the ambiance and not enough on the beat for fans of dark wave, though in some ways it is moving in that direction mood wise. "ASTR" finds a smooth balance of atmosphere and riding the understated groove . The moodier vocal melody coasts nicely over it.
"Formations" is the first song where it feels like the mood and ambiance is overpowering the songwriting. The synths drown the more organic elements as the clouds descend to carrying everything into a dream like state. Perhaps that does not sound that bad to you and it is what you want from music. I understand but do you think it is going to be a song that you are going to want to hear in your car this time next year? "Beings of Light" fall in the gray area of that question as it is cinematically dramatic. The grandiose feeling borders on being like Lacuna Coil or Nightwish in it's massive rock undertones.
The almost 17 minute final track of this album is a great deal of simmering ambiance to pack in a song that would make you want to hear it again. Especially when it feels like the first five minutes could have been dialed back . To write something this sprawling you need to give the listener more meat to sink their teeth into in order to justify investing the time it takes to listen to it. While I appreciate the elements that make me think of the Gathering, it's not until seven minutes in that we get to it.Overall this is a pleasing listen and I will give this album an 8.5.
Now we continue on the list which was inspired by my need to right the wrongs of Rolling Stone Magazines Top 200 Singers list, which included pop artists with no singing skills beyond Autotune and a lack of metal and rock singers. So, I took on the ambitious task of making my own. As a singer myself, I key in on vocals first and foremost when listening to songs. In making this list I not only judged them according to their technical vocal ability when it comes to things like range and power, but also other dynamics brought to the table regarding phrasing and the character of their voice. Other important factors include their ability to emote from different places and how well their voice holds up on stage. If you are just making magic in the studio alone, then you might not fare so well on this list. Things like lyrical content and the instruments they play do not factor in as these ranking are based on vocal merit alone. How they control a crowd or their entertainment value as performers is also not a factor; there are some great front men who are also sub-par singers. The same can be said of song writers which is why most Bob Dylan songs sound better covered by someone else. Needless to say, ole Robert Zimmerman is not making the cut.
Most pop singers won't appear here, but there are a few country or jazz singers who crossover just enough to qualify for this list, while having a significant influence on rock music. Don't expect rappers on this list or metal vocalists who just scream or growl, but never actually sing. I am also not keen on singers who are derivative of other singers. The bulk of these have to be doing their own thing, though a couple are basically tribute acts to other artists but still make enough of an impact with their music. Having a unique vocal quality is going to be one of the most important factors sometimes trumping technical ability. If they sound too much like Steve Perry from Journey or that they have listened to their vocal coach too much rather than developing their own style, then that is something that is also not going to fly.
With that said do not expect to see a great deal of technically proficient power and progressive metal singers on here, so it cannot be said I am giving metal more of a priority, though there are some singers who might be otherwise ignored by mainstream media. By the time we get to the top 10 I am sure it will all make sense, so here are the Top 200 greatest rock singers.
190- Aaron Stainthrope
The My Dying Bride vocalist brings a gothic croon to the band's depressive doom metal. he matches the despair in his vocal delivery while delivering an impassioned croon that borders on a whine at times.
189- Matt Berninger
The National's singer has a warm resonance to his baritone that still makes you think he might need to be on meds.
188-Rob Crow
While I am not judging by songwriting, one of the Pinback singer's strengths in how his uses his voice is where he puts amid their herky jerky riffs. He uses his voice like an instrument which goes a long way with me.
187- Marc Bolan
There is no need to have Billy Corgan on the list when we have this guy. The T- Rex singer has an androgynous voice that was admired by many who placed much higher on the list.
186-Joey Ramone
By the 80s the Ramones songwriting became more nuanced, and it allowed Joey to show that he could actually sing.
185-Andrew Eldritch
Not the widest range, but the Sisters of Mercy vocal possessed a very distinct voice that goth singers to come would try to mimic for decades to come.
184-Gary Numan
This man has a very unique voice that fits his music and has aged incredibly well.
183-Adam Granduciel
The lead singer of the War on Drugs is another singer who might not have the widest range, but his mellow voice glides perfectly of the mood his band creates. It has a calming effect on me.
182- Ken Andrews
Failure's vocalist has the kind of smooth croon that gracefully offsets the crunch of their space age sonics. I always imagine him being high as hell when he is singing.
181-Dave Pirner
The Soul Asylum singer had a more honest angst to his voice than the bulk of the 90s alt rock radio fodder that would follow his example.
