"Hey (friend's name), check out this band, I think you'll like them."
Friend listens to song, with a puzzled look on his/her face.
"What'd you think?"
"I don't know, I don't really like how the singer's voice sounds."
It seems like any time a band is a little bit out of the "norm" a person listens to on a daily basis, the obscurity and unique style of a particular vocalist catches them off-guard, and the listener is immadiately turned off to the band altogether, regardless of the depth of the song's lyrics or the level of talent in its musicianship. As it were, quite a few of my all-time favorite bands (and a few who are quickly moving up the list) have vocalists who are a little different than what you're used to, but that doesn't mean they aren't good. And that's what this week's recommendation is all about: broaden your horizons and open your mind to one of these bands, even if the singer's voice is unbearable to you at times. Who knows, you may find something to hold onto for the rest of your life like I did.
This four-peice prog-emo group has been around since the beginning of the new millennium, and have quietly released four of their five albums on a major label. While Co&Ca write some of the best rock anthems you don't know about, the reason you don't know about is probably Claudio Sanchez's apparent "little boy who just sucked in helium" voice. The truth about the band, however, is that they are a group of talented and dedicated musicians who are arguably one of the most creative rock bands to come around in decades. With all of their albums telling the science fiction story that Sanchez himself is constantly in the process of penning, the band have changed up their sound time and again, all while keeping the intangibles of the band intact: honest, open songwriting, underrated musicianship, and for better or worse, Sanchez's "helium" influenced voice.
Key Track: "A Favor House Atlantic"
When Anthony Green fled Saosin to form Circa Survive with guitarist Colin Frangicetto, fans of Saosin were heartbroken, of course, but interested nonetheless on how Green's voice would be used in his new band. However, those who were outside of the post-hardcore scene at the time were skeptical of Green's voice, saying it was too gravelly and high-pitched to be taken seriously. However, as many of the band's fans (and the band itself) will attest, there is so much more to Circa Survive than Green's monstrous voice and stage presence than people think. One listen through the band's 2010 release Blue Sky Noise will show any listener that Circa Survive is comprised of two techincally gifted guitarists (Frangicetto and Brandon Eckstrom), an underappreciated drummer (Steven Clifford), and a bassist that melds all the sounds together to make a smooth, precise finished product (Nick Beard). Say what you want about Green's voice, but there is no denying the talent Circa Survive possess beyond the vocals everyone is so love/hate about.
Key Track: "Act Appalled"
In a world where people automatically say "Green Day" and "Blink-182" when they hear the words "pop-punk," it's hard to tell why New Found Glory never got the mainstream recognition their fans will so readily tel you they deserve. Fads have come and gone, and it appears NFG have remained one of the more respected bands in pop-punk, never "selling out" to major labels and always giving their fans what they want. As for why they never caught that big break and became stars, many point to the nasally vocal output of the band's frontman, Jordan Pundik. There are many bands whose images are more accessible than NFG (most of the band's members have full sleeve tattoos on both arms), but there are very few who can write a catchier chorus. NFG have constantly given their fans songs to be screamed back at the band during their intimate, energetic live shows, and anyone who accepts Pundik's nasally voice will see a band who know how to relate to the pent-up, angsty teenager in all of us.
Key Track: "Failure's Not Flattering (What's Your Problem)"
While the indie scene has become oversaturated and same-sounding, Silversun Pickups have found a niche in the game and are among the easiest bands to point out in a crowd, and it's not all because of the vocal delivery of guitarist/vocalist Brian Aubert. Though Aubert's voice seems rather feminine, and many people mistake bassist Nikki Monninger for the band's vocalist (example: me), SSPU have developed a reputation for being one of the most forward-thinking alternative acts around, thanks to Aubert's guitar work and the frantic drumming provided by Christopher Guanlao. Once you look past the gender-bending vocals Aubert provides, it can't be too hard to see from the band's 2009 release Swoon that Silversun Pickups aren't to be defined by one voice, but by the collective whole of the band's unique sound.
Key Track: "Panic Switch"
Quite obviously the most unknown band mentioned this week, Trophy Scars may also be the most intriguing. An unsigned band from my home state of New Jersey, the band have released three full-length albums and have an EP coming out before the end of this year, cementing their place as one of the hardest-working bands in post-hardcore today. For whatever reason, however, the band never got off the local scene, whether it be a feeling of comfortability with where they are, or simply a lack of interest in the band from labels, which could be stemmed from the voice of its frontman Jerry Jones. Jones goes from a shrll, shreiking scream to Tom Waits-esque grumbling, Jones pours his own life's issues into each of the band's emotionally jarring songs, which spin a mix of influences into a blender that produces something rarely heard and often overlooked, but always, and I mean always, 100% authentic and honest.
Key Track: "Assistant. Assistants."
It's certainly an interesting conversation to have--bands you don't particularly like or listen to because of the singer's voice-- and it almost always points to stubbornness and complacency in one's musical taste. So before you navigate away from this entry and forget you ever read it, take a listen to one of the bands mentioned, and really listen to it. Try thinking of a band who writes songs even somewhat similar to Coheed and Cambria. Try and find a band more dedicated to their craft than the group of men in Circa Survive. Try and not sing (or scream) along to one of the New Found Glory's catchy and relatable choruses. Find a band that takes more risks and has them pay off the way Silversun Pickups do. Or better yet, think of another artist in any music genre that bares it all the way Trophy Scars' frontman Jerry Jones does. While each of these bands may not be tolerable due to their singers' voices, each of the bands mentioned prove that it takes more than a voice to make a band, and that when the music and songwriting is good, how the voice of the band sounds isn't all that important at all; rather, its more important that the voice is spoken and heard.
That being said, I'll turn it over to you: who did I miss? What experiences have you had with this topic? Who do you think gets little respect, yet deserves so much more? Leave it in the replies, I'd love to hear from you.
your next blog should be about what happened at monclair state university to nicki minaj!!!!
ReplyDeletei've heard of all these bands before.
ReplyDeleteway surface bro