love the songwriter, hate the singer

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I've always hated the Bee Gees. The teeth and hair aren't the issue, it's those shrill voices that I find intolerable. On the other hand, they wrote some wonderful songs - To Love Somebody (Animals, Mirettes, James Carr), How Can You Mend A Broken Heart (Al Green) and lots of other winners. Is there anyone whose songs you love even though you can't stand their performances?

― Martin Skidmore, Saturday, 23 February 2002 01:00 (twenty-three years ago)

Dylan's a definite candidate here. I can't say I actively appreciate the eight million cover versions per se, but lord knows I'd rather hear him handled by somebody else. Even Sebastian Cabot. ;-)

― Ned Raggett, Saturday, 23 February 2002 01:00 (twenty-three years ago)

The Foxgloves.

― N., Saturday, 23 February 2002 01:00 (twenty-three years ago)

A lot of current folkie-type indie bands are fronted by the same kind of dull, thin-voiced singers: Mojave 3's Neil Halstead (although he's improved a bit on his solo album), the guy in Spain, the guy in Idaho. They might be tolerable if the bands weren't so song-focused. There isn't much else to focus on, so the singers bore me so quickly I don't get a chance to tell if the songs are any good.

― Curt, Saturday, 23 February 2002 01:00 (twenty-three years ago)

Pitchfork darlings, the Microphones. That guy's weak vocals are so annoying, somebody should smack him. I'd almost rather listen to the brand of self-absorption offered by all those faux-twang grunge bores out of the Northwest.

― Curt, Saturday, 23 February 2002 01:00 (twenty-three years ago)

I dunno, what I heard of the Microphones was pleasant -- but having seen Neil H. last night at the in-store...much as I love Slowdive and though Mojave 3 have their moments, there's so little to actively care about with him on his own with acoustic guitar and microphone. Dully 'worthy.'

― Ned Raggett, Saturday, 23 February 2002 01:00 (twenty-three years ago)

Victoria Williams. I actually think her songs are worth the vocals, but I know some who definitely don't (and some others that think her songwriting to be cloying crap too. They're wrong).

― Hunter, Sunday, 24 February 2002 01:00 (twenty-three years ago)

The classic answer must be Randy Newman. Many singers covered his stuff in the late 60s--early 70s, even had hits with his songs. But hearing the man himself sing... well perhaps this is an acquired taste that most people never acquire.

― Sean, Sunday, 24 February 2002 01:00 (twenty-three years ago)

burt bacharach - though he has inspired a legion of non singing good song writers - listening to his solo stuff is genius in that non- vocal way.

i like neil halstead vocals, but who really needs to hear a brett anderson i can siiiiiiiiiiiiiiinnnnnnnnnnngggggg vocal gymanstics on every song.

― paul brownell, Sunday, 24 February 2002 01:00 (twenty-three years ago)

Neil Young. I heard some great cover versions of his songs, but upon listening to 'After the Goldrush' I was left cold. Not to mention the fact that the man's a raving Republican...

― Ben Squircle, Sunday, 24 February 2002 01:00 (twenty-three years ago)

Brett Anderson's histrionics were a better fit when Suede's material wasn't all formulaic "trash" ditties. At least I seem to recall a time when it wasn't.

― Curt, Sunday, 24 February 2002 01:00 (twenty-three years ago)

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