Help End a Debate Regarding a Vocalist's "Skill". (singer, rock)

holynapkin · 04-20-2009, 07:31 PM

My favorite singer of all time is Layne Staley of Alice in Chains. I thought it was pretty indisputable that he was a talented vocalist, regardless if you like him or not, to each his own. However, yesterday I wanted my friend to see how good of a vocalist he was so I linked him this video. He proceeded to tell me that he was "mediocre". I was confused for a minute, so I sent him this one. Afterwords, thinking that maybe those videos were too "slow" for his taste I linked him one last video, this one. Upon doing so he told me that he was incredibly unskilled and "simple". I couldn't believe what I was hearing so he started to list off a whole bunch of terms that I really had no idea the meaning like "falsetto" and some other garbage. He's in choir so I think that maybe he was just being the typical, arrogant critic throwing out big words but it got me thinking. After he did this he started to link me some opera stuff and some crap by this band called Opeth which I thought was pretty screamo. Anyways, it got me thinking nonetheless. Is Layne Staley really "simple"? I had always thought otherwise but I guess I could be wrong.

If you could, I'd like someone to explain to me why Layne is "simple" or give me a list of reasons that I can show to my friend that contradict what he is saying. Please, feel free to use all the big choir terms you want because that seems to be the only way to get through to him.

PS: While I know the liking of music is subjective and it doesn't matter at all what someone thinks, I was still taken aback at Layne being called "simple". It got under my skin really.

khfreek · 04-20-2009, 07:39 PM

Falsetto refers to high part of man's range where he sounds sort of like a girl and can't hit notes very powerfully. Also, Layne Staley was one of the greatest rock singers of all time. From a choral standpoint, I can't really think of any flaws with his voice, he has great breath support and everything. If he thinks his vocal hooks are simple that's his problem (it IS grunge after all), but calling him unskilled is stupid. Next one of your bandie friends is gonna say Rachmaninoff is a hack <_<

Surell · 04-20-2009, 07:40 PM

Layne harmonizes with someone else in the band on their songs anyway, doesn't he? That aside, I like his voice, and I like the ways the vocals sound. Kurt Cobain and J Mascis' vocals sound well also. But their skill isn't that high. It's not that they don't sound good (unless you're a choir wanker), but they aren't the best singers. I still like the way they sound, though.

lucifer_sam · 04-20-2009, 07:58 PM

you should listen to more music. more specifically, you should listen to more music that isn't Alice in Chains. i'll admit i have a soft spot for Mark Lanegan's songwriting but i wouldn't suggest that he's a talented vocalist whatsoever.

THIS is talent (whether you can appreciate it or not):

Roygbiv · 04-20-2009, 08:21 PM

"simple" doesn't matter. does it fit the music? yes, so **** your friend.

i'd rather have him sing in alice in chains than pavarotti.

mr dave · 04-21-2009, 02:29 AM

stayley is a simple vocalist because what he does isn't not that challenging. his range isn't that wide either and generally speaking he was a frontman that sang backing vocals half the time.

as for the terms, the easiest example of falsetto is pretty much anything by radiohead. it honestly turned me off the band initially but whatever.

lucifer sam is right. either learn to expand your ears or get ready to realize just how closed your view on music really is the longer time goes by.

~~Flower Child~~ · 04-21-2009, 09:36 AM

Not everybody is going to like the same singers for various reasons. So who cares what your friend thinks. Personally I think Layne Staley has a very great original gritty voice. Don't worry holynapkin, Layne Staley has definitely been recognized for his great voice many times over through the years.

ChiliColdBlood · 04-21-2009, 09:57 AM

Wait... You thought Opeth were screamo?!

Comus · 04-21-2009, 10:16 AM

Roemilca · 04-21-2009, 02:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ChiliColdBlood

Wait... You thought Opeth were screamo?!

Quoted for complete truth. Anyone who thinks Opeth is screamo needs a check-up on their ears.

04-20-2009, 07:31 PM	#1 (permalink)
holynapkin Groupie Join Date: Apr 2009 Posts: 26	Help End a Debate Regarding a Vocalist's "Skill". My favorite singer of all time is Layne Staley of Alice in Chains. I thought it was pretty indisputable that he was a talented vocalist, regardless if you like him or not, to each his own. However, yesterday I wanted my friend to see how good of a vocalist he was so I linked him this video. He proceeded to tell me that he was "mediocre". I was confused for a minute, so I sent him this one. Afterwords, thinking that maybe those videos were too "slow" for his taste I linked him one last video, this one. Upon doing so he told me that he was incredibly unskilled and "simple". I couldn't believe what I was hearing so he started to list off a whole bunch of terms that I really had no idea the meaning like "falsetto" and some other garbage. He's in choir so I think that maybe he was just being the typical, arrogant critic throwing out big words but it got me thinking. After he did this he started to link me some opera stuff and some crap by this band called Opeth which I thought was pretty screamo. Anyways, it got me thinking nonetheless. Is Layne Staley really "simple"? I had always thought otherwise but I guess I could be wrong. If you could, I'd like someone to explain to me why Layne is "simple" or give me a list of reasons that I can show to my friend that contradict what he is saying. Please, feel free to use all the big choir terms you want because that seems to be the only way to get through to him. PS: While I know the liking of music is subjective and it doesn't matter at all what someone thinks, I was still taken aback at Layne being called "simple". It got under my skin really.

04-20-2009, 07:39 PM	#2 (permalink)
khfreek What a guy Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Brentwood, TN Posts: 2,123	Falsetto refers to high part of man's range where he sounds sort of like a girl and can't hit notes very powerfully. Also, Layne Staley was one of the greatest rock singers of all time. From a choral standpoint, I can't really think of any flaws with his voice, he has great breath support and everything. If he thinks his vocal hooks are simple that's his problem (it IS grunge after all), but calling him unskilled is stupid. Next one of your bandie friends is gonna say Rachmaninoff is a hack <_< __________________ last.fm

04-20-2009, 07:58 PM	#4 (permalink)
lucifer_sam Unrepentant Ass-Mod Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Pennsylvania Posts: 3,921	you should listen to more music. more specifically, you should listen to more music that isn't Alice in Chains. i'll admit i have a soft spot for Mark Lanegan's songwriting but i wouldn't suggest that he's a talented vocalist whatsoever. THIS is talent (whether you can appreciate it or not): __________________ first.am

04-20-2009, 08:21 PM	#5 (permalink)
Roygbiv marquee moon Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Toronto, Ontario Posts: 759	"simple" doesn't matter. does it fit the music? yes, so ** your friend. i'd rather have him sing in alice in chains than pavarotti. __________________ Roygbiv's Review Revue LATEST REVIEW SILENT SHOUT BY THE KNIFE**

04-21-2009, 09:36 AM	#7 (permalink)
~~Flower Child~~ Account Disabled Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: classified Posts: 639	Not everybody is going to like the same singers for various reasons. So who cares what your friend thinks. Personally I think Layne Staley has a very great original gritty voice. Don't worry holynapkin, Layne Staley has definitely been recognized for his great voice many times over through the years.

04-21-2009, 09:57 AM	#8 (permalink)
ChiliColdBlood Music Addict Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: TO Posts: 184	Wait... You thought Opeth were screamo?!