[30 Day Song Challenge: Alternative Nation Edition] Day 28 - An alternative song by an artist WHOSE VOICE YOU LOVE. 🎤🎤🎤
[30 Day Song Challenge: Alternative Nation Edition] Day 28 - An alternative song by an artist WHOSE VOICE YOU LOVE. 🎤🎤🎤
DAY 28 of the 30 Day Song Challenge, alternative music styles!
We are down to the last few questions!! This time it's that lead singer, that voice of the band, who's got the chef's kiss of a voice that just does it for you.
Each day I’ll post the challenge and you share some of your favorite alternative & indie songs that meet the challenge!
I love unique voices. From Michael Stipes mumbling slight twang to the nasally whines of Gordon Gano from the Femmes, Jeff Mangum from Neutral Milk, and Colin Meloy of Decemberists. The voice is the glue that makes or breaks bands for me.
But if I can indulge and push the envelope of what is "alternative" a smidge, one of my very favorite voices of all time loves to sing of love and fantastical environments, who feels almost genderless and ethereal, and whose music rarely dipped into the mainstream (just once or twice). Is prog alternative? Probably not, but it ain't mainstream.
So many songs to choose from that I love so much, but I'll narrow it to 3.
A beautiful song with one of the best bass drops in history from what's considered one of their best albums Close To The Edge: "And You And I" - https://youtu.be/IwpB6b6mhUM?si=rUuD9jr7hr7e7ovu
A massive sprawling epic overshadowed by the song "Close To The Edge" called "Awaken" - https://youtu.be/59feSG8U5EQ?si=snZJT9xbatKJBt32
And finally, a much later epic from Keystudio, a song called "Mind Drive" which dips toes into almost-jazz fusion jam - https://youtu.be/zvBknHFa8PQ?si=ocB4VViT1RH71sjS
I know there are better vocalists, but there's something caring, warm and almost motherly in her voice: Florence Welch
it's not about good or better or any of that, imo. It's about the voice matching the music. Welch has an AMAZING voice and it fits her bombastic music absolutely perfectly.
Three people come to mind right away:
Karen O for the Yeah Yeah Yeahs
And while she's not an alt artist per se, this is a cover of an alternative song, so I'mma post it anyway, lol. I love Brandi and Catherine Carlile's version of Closer to Fine
awesome picks!
Har Mar Superstar - Lady, You Shot Me
A few years ago, Har Mar had a Me Too moment. I was disappointed (especially with his non-apology), but not terribly surprised. If you ever saw him live years back, it would be hard to be shocked. And while no excuse, I hope that age and sobriety have changed him enough to be better.
I gave up on listening to this album for a long time afterward, but fuck...it's so good.
Dolores O'Riordan for me
any song'll do
Any song for sure but Zombie woo! When she belted out that shit!!!
I am in constant awe of the talent of Mike Patton, not in his vocal range and stylistic range.
Dillinger Escape Plan f. Mike Patton - When Good Dogs Do Bad Things
I’ll never forget hearing Epic for the first time.