Mark Conklin wrote:
quoted 1 line I know I'm in the minority here, but I just can't get into Lamb at all.> I know I'm in the minority here, but I just can't get into Lamb at all.
The
quoted 1 line problem...the vocals. The singer cannot hold a tune.> problem...the vocals. The singer cannot hold a tune.
Howie wrote:
quoted 1 line My gut reaction: Can't hold a tune????? What the fuck do you want?> My gut reaction: Can't hold a tune????? What the fuck do you want?
Barbara
quoted 3 lines Streisand?> Streisand?
> However, could you provide an example of vocals that you think are up to
> snuff?
Chris sez:
I agree that Lamb's vocals are below snuff. I like their music a lot, and I
really appreciate what they are trying to do. But somehow it just doesn't
do it for me. I can't quite put my finger on it though.
Compare them to Beth Gibbons or to any of Tricky/Massive Attack's vocalists
and you can see a difference. Lambs vocals seem dull and self-conscious in
comparison.
I like music with vocals in it - I consider things like Lamb and Portishead
to be IDM material especially because of the vocals, but I get the feeling
that most of the list doesn't like vocals at all because they think it
represents traditional rawk/r&b composition. But look at RDJ and Global
Goon and Martine and Wu-tang to see all the different places vocals can go.
You don't need to be barbara streisand to hold a tune, but you also don't
need to be able to hold a tune to be a good vocalist.
Speaking of Trip Hop, I saw Baby Fox live in NYC a few months ago and
although I did not like a single I had heard beforehand, their live show
was fantastic. There was only two of them onstage (out of three in the band
- one got stuck in customs or something), and they worked together really
well. The vocalist would make abstract noises and the electro guy would mix
it and tweak it and dubble it into a new texture. They have a strong dub
influence on both their beats and on their live vocal production. The beats
were fat and all was good. The singer is super-energetic and athletic and
really belts it out. If you get a chance, see them. Does anyone know what
their album is like? Reviews?
To the person who's going to see lamb live: I hope they are as good!
-CF