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Last week we debated the best voices in indie rock. But there’s another kind of great voice out there—the kind that isn’t classically good, but its technical problems just make it more lovable.
Here are my picks for the best worst voices—you can listen below. Feel free to add to the list in the comments section.
1. Will Oldham
Oldham has one of my favorite voices of all time because it’s so cracked and real, but let’s be honest—it’s pretty inconsistent.
2. Jeff Mangum (Neutral Milk Hotel)
That nasally yelp at the beginning of “King of Carrot Flowers Part 2 & 3” gets me every time.
3. Karen Peris (The Innocence Mission)
She sounds like a little elf, bringing happiness wherever she goes.
4. David Berman (Silver Jews)
I would love to hear Berman’s vocal tracks alone. He sounds like some guy singing in the car—but that’s part of what makes his music so endearing.
5. Dan Bejar (Destroyer)
His love-it-or-hate it voice could carry a musical.
6. Joanna Newsom
Speaking of love-it-or-hate-it—Newsom’s screeches and squeaks are almost too much. But when it works, it works.
7. Conor Oberst (Bright Eyes)
Oberst used to sound like a goat pretty much all the time, but his voice has evened out in the past several years, and now he trembles at all the right moments.
8. Colin Meloy (The Decemberists)
Meloy’s voice is strong and consistent, but its distinct, enunciated sound is a turn-off for some people.
9. Emil Svanangen (Loney Dear)
His incredibly high-pitched voice is a beautiful instrument in and of itself, even when he’s singing off key.
10. Matt Berninger (The National)
The sound of his voice is soothing and perfect for The National’s moody songs, but Berninger’s range must be squat because he only sings low and a little bit lower.
best worst voices
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Nice list. I'd add Don Chaffer of Waterdeep. He has this folky, super-mellow, John Denveresque voice that some people don't like. I love it though.
No Wayne Coyne?
M. Ward always sounds like he just chugged heavy cream, but the phlegmy thing works.
John Gourley of Portugal. The Man should be on this list ..
Speaking of Waterdeep - Don's wife, Lori, also has a voice that can put people off at first, but the two sound great together.
I would also put on the list Jack White (maybe not indie enough anymore) and Win Butler)
Don't forget the David Byrne-through-a-cheese-grater stylings of Clap Your Hands Say Yeah's Alec Ounsworth. My girlfriend forces me to turn it off every time they come up on shuffle, but doesn't bother me.
Nary a mention of Mr. Mac McCaughan?
I dare say Will Sheff of Okkervil River deserves some mention here!
Alec Ounsworth (Clap Your Hands Say Yeah)
I'm actually, honestly surprised that I didn't see Phil Elvrum (The Microphones, Mt. Eerie) on this list. Dude can't really sing, but he comes across so damn earthy that it's a perfect fit for his ultra lo-fi recordings.
Danielson
How about the dude from Noah and the Whale? I love it, but my buddy hates it.
I've seen a real division over Justin Vernon's (Bon Iver) voice. Some find it haunting, some grating.
Issac Brock gets no mention? He's got the strangest voice in indie rock, yet somehow it works in context.
What about Craig Finn from the Hold Steady? I can't get enough of it, but my friends don't want any of it . . .
No mention of Stephen Malkmus? He may have invented "Best Worst"
If Matt Berninger is on this list for reasons of small vocal register, then put in Ian Curtis from Joy Divison (neither of whom deserve to be on this list).
Nobody I know hates The Hold Steady for any reason other than Craig Finn's voice, which is unfortunate.
Greg Dulli (The Afghan Whigs/The Twilight Singers/The Gutter Twins) and Ian Felice (The Felice Brothers) would be at the top of my list. Their voices are perfect in their imperfections - Dulli's sometimes flat notes that are nonetheless full of conviction and Felice's sandpaper cracks and wavers. To me, they sound the way passion, heart and life would sound if given voice.
whos the guy that sings for beat happening?
calvin johnson??
Don Chaffer? He has great range with a tremendously passionate, but smooth voice that matches his guitar playing. He doesn't belong anywhere close to this list, although I am glad to see a mention of him anyway. So many more should know about his songwriting and musicianship.
Lori Chaffer, his wife, belongs on this list. I remember playing "Hush" for a youth group and they were talking about her screeching. A friend of mine played it for his youth group, and half were blown away by her passion and lyrics, and the other half thought she sounded like a dying cat.
I am definitely in the first group.
bill callahan, obviously
I am surprised at no mention of Spencer Krug (Wolf Parade, Sunset Rubdown, etc.), I have friends who skip the tracks he sings on WP albums because of his voice. I personally think it's one of the great bad voices and is so unique.
I seriously can't believe someone metioned Sheff - So Come Back, I Am Waiting is one of the most impressive technical vocals delivered this decade - and he replicates it live, for added impact. Sure, his voice is a little strange sounding (I love the hell out of it) to some, but he's definitely a lot more technical than people seem to think.
In addition to that, I was also surprised at the exclusion of Krug. I thought for sure he'd be on here. Same with Isaac Brock.
Let's not forget that guy from Death Cab for Cutie. Actually, he just has the worst worst voice in indie rock. There's just nothing cool about his voice or the way he sings. I envision it's what Martin Prince from the Simpsons would sound like if he grew up, his voice dropped and he started a band. Not cool.
I like Sheff's voice but I think he deserves to be on the list. I feel like he over-emotes on songs sometimes. See "A Girl in Port", or "Savannah Smiles" for example.
Who the bloody hell is that singing Neutral Milk Hotel? Not being all Mangum obsessive or anything but that bloke needs throttling with a hammer.
I LOVE COLIN MELOY! He is an AMAZING singer, person, and stage presence. Don't say that about him! :(
You forgot Dave Longstreth of Dirty Projectors! I think he's a great example of having that imperfect-perfect voice. Especially live... wow.
So, I click on the link to read the list thinking, "Obviously, Isaac Brock will be in the top 3." uh....I thought I new what indie rock was, but maybe i dont? maybe someone just forgot?
also, both singers from wolf parade more than qualify.
and I know i'm starting a flame war because they're not "indie" and it's way too "obvious" but can I get some love for Billy Corgan?
I'm a fanboy for Colin Meloy but I have seen people reject their music outright after he belted his first syllable.
As someone already noted, Danielson should be at the top of this list.
I would also add John Darnielle of the Mountain Goats. Nasally grunts, screams, growls, yips, rants, diatribes, mumbles...but boy can he "sing" the shit out of his songs.
Not really indiw, but Trey Anastasio has one of the worst voices in music today.
How did Calvin Johnson not top this list? None of these people would have careers in music without that guy. Same goes for Thurston Moore, J. Mascis, and Daniel Johnston, among others.
Bill Mallonee is an acquired taste but one well worth acquiring
ironically enough, was just about to spin some innocence mission....i luv karen's voice...colin's too...but what do i know?...i'm 60..non indi-rock division: kinda hard not to think of dylan, cohen and newman as best worst....cheers
I don't know about Colin Meloy. I love his voice and so does my sister (and she won't listen to some stuff just because of the singer's voice) but if he's on this list, I think that Jim James should be too. John Darnielle is a good choice as is Jeff Mangum. Possibly Win Butler and his wife too though I LOVE Arcade Fire. But Matt Berninger? I think his voice is more of a good than of a best-worst voice.