The Top 40 Most Underrated Singers in Rock Part 1

Awhile back I did the Top 15 Lyricists in Alternative Rock. I decided its time to tackle another list, and this time to focus on vocalists.

For my money, a great rock vocalist should do any or all of the following; make you feel what they’re expressing, make you want to sing along, and most importantly, actually be able to carry a tune.

But the thing that I realize is how many great singers out there that’ll never get on a Rolling Stone or VH-1 best of list, or be inducted in the Hall Of Fame. Being that I’m a fan of artists I consider underrated, I’ve listed the Top 40 vocalists who deserve to have someone sing their praises (pun intended) more often. While they all have devoted fan bases, they never get their full due. Which means I’m not touching anything classic rock related. We all know that Morrison, Orbison, Presley, Jagger, etc are legendary, so why restate the obvious? I’m also leaving off Metal singers that are well-known for their musical impact, so that rules out masters like Dio and Halford.

And since Rolling Stone’s 2008 Best singers list included a few of my favorites (sorry Prince, Iggy, Bowie, Yorke, Axl, Bono, and Mercury), they’ll be excluded.

I think its a fairly diverse list, spanning from the 70’s until the present, and not just including alternative rock, but also metal, electronica, 70’s glam,  and more.  And while I really want to focus this list on those with superior pitch and lung power, I’ve let a few squeak by that aren’t technically great, but their style is so quirky that the music would be poorer without their contribution.

If you click on any of the images, you’ll be directed to Amazon where you can download albums I feel represent the artists best work, or clicking on iTunes suggestions in the sidebar if you prefer MP3’s. All purchases contribute to the running of this site :-).

With all these rules in mind, let’s begin:

40. Neil Halstead & Rachel Goswell

[amazon_image id=”B003Z46GRO” link=”true” target=”_blank” size=”medium” ]Souvlaki[/amazon_image]

While My Bloody Valentine get all the hipster love for pioneering dream pop, Slowdive are criminally ignored. I love MBV, but Slowdive’s mix of dream pop with gothic overtones sticks with me best, and one of their key ingredients are the haunting, ghostly vocal harmonies supplied by Halstead and Goswell. They later went on to form Mojave 3, a sparser, acoustic based band, which allowed their vocals to be even more prominently displayed.

39. John Garcia

[amazon_image id=”B000001A3H” link=”true” target=”_blank” size=”medium” ]Blues for Red Sun[/amazon_image]

Kyuss’s initial run was short-lived, but their influence on metal and stoner rock has cast a long shadow. John Garcia’s shredded vocal style was powerful, perfectly complimenting the down tuned furor of his band (Former guitarist Josh Homme went on to greater success with Queens Of The Stone Age). Currently touring as Kyuss Lives (the band’s name is in contest due to Homme’s lawsuit) Garcia is still belting it out.

38.Andrew Eldritch

[amazon_image id=”B002RXGSQS” link=”true” target=”_blank” size=”medium” ]This Corrosion[/amazon_image]

The Sisters of Mercy only put out 3 albums proper, and fans pine away wistfully for another goth masterpiece. Everyone from the Smashing Pumpkins to Type O Negative has acknowledged their influence, and what truly cements them as Goth titans is Eldritch’s evilly deep baritone, which sounds like a vampire gasping for air . Crank it up too loud in your house and he’ll make the floor boards rattle . Check out his chilling performance in the Sister’s classic ‘Colours‘ and where he really lets it rip in ‘Ribbons’.

37. Mark Lanegan

[amazon_image id=”B00006F83Y” link=”true” target=”_blank” size=”medium” ]Songs for the Deaf[/amazon_image][amazon_image id=”B0012GJG38″ link=”true” target=”_blank” size=”medium” ]Saturnalia[/amazon_image]

Lanegan is best known for his work with Screaming Trees, who’s biggest hit was from the 90’s ‘Singles’ soundtrack (‘Nearly Lost You’). But he’s also had a varied solo career, and worked with Greg Dulli on The Gutter Twins. He also lends his vocals occasionally to Queens Of The Stone Age, my favorite of which being ‘The Hanging Tree‘. His weathered, raspy howl gives any song a feeling of history, depth and authority.

36.Jim Reid

[amazon_image id=”B0059067E4″ link=”true” target=”_blank” size=”medium” ]Honey’s Dead[/amazon_image][amazon_image id=”B000068ZXB” link=”true” target=”_blank” size=”medium” ]21 Singles[/amazon_image]

You can’t exactly call the Jesus and Mary Chain’s front man an amazing vocalist in the classical sense, but Reid’s gravelly, aching delivery ‘sounds’ like rock and roll in all its lewd glory. This is on full display in the slow burner ‘Teenage Lust’.

35. Tim Booth

[amazon_image id=”B000W15DGS” link=”true” target=”_blank” size=”medium” ]Laid[/amazon_image][amazon_image id=”B000001EDD” link=”true” target=”_blank” size=”medium” ]Booth & Bad Angel[/amazon_image]

James were a band formed in the late 80’s in England, and while best known in America for their hit ‘Laid‘ , they’ve put out consistently great material to this day. Booth has a gentle, rich delivery. He also can do a very androgynous falsetto. Just listen to ‘Skindiving’ to see what I mean. He also lent his talents to the little known Booth and The Bad Angel, a project joining him with film composer Angelo Badalamenti.

34. Corey Taylor

[amazon_image id=”B001E76LGK” link=”true” target=”_blank” size=”medium” ]Snuff (Album Version)[/amazon_image]

Okay, I’m a tad embarrassed to admit to liking Slipknot. When they came out, they were derided as just another group of nu-metal meatheads, who ripped off Mr Bungle’s wardrobe. But over the years they’ve proven themselves a powerful metal band. And what makes them standout from most modern metal, is Taylor’s voice. This guy’s the real deal and can sing his ass off. Still think these guys are a joke? Listen to ‘Psychosocial“, and witness how he goes from the gruff spoken delivery to showing some serious pipes in the chorus. If that doesn’t get you involuntarily head banging, better get yourself to the Dr, cause something is wrong with ya.

33. Jaz Coleman

[amazon_image id=”B0000AGWK8″ link=”true” target=”_blank” size=”medium” ]Killing Joke[/amazon_image]

Killing Joke are a band richly deserving of more credit than they get, and Coleman’s madman like intensity makes him one of the most magnetic and frightening front men in rock. His ragged punk bellow is balanced by moments of tenderness, and it’s a powerful combo. Check out my recent Killing Joke album review for more insight on this groundbreaking band.

32. Ian McCullough

[amazon_image id=”B000WTNDQ2″ link=”true” target=”_blank” size=”medium” ]Killing Moon: the Best of Echo & the Bunny[/amazon_image]

The Echo and The Bunnymen frontman isn’t’ the most skilled vocalist, but he brings great gravitas to the Bunnymen’s songs, full of brooding romanticism. While he’s a tad too egotistical of his abilities, he nevertheless deserves kudos for a fine body of work.

[amazon_image id=”B00136NN54″ link=”true” target=”_blank” size=”medium” ]Surrender[/amazon_image]

Cheap Trick straddle that strange space between being a band that’s iconic while still feeling slightly under the radar. Their power pop formula made for some of the catchiest songs of the 70’s and 80’s. Zander’s trembling, expressive voice owes much to Roy Orbison’s. His melodic wail is infectious, none more so than their classic ‘Surrender‘.

30. Justin Hawkins

[amazon_image id=”B0000AZKM0″ link=”true” target=”_blank” size=”medium” ]Permission to Land[/amazon_image]

Though the Darkness have only 2 albums to their name, Hawkins’s range and delivery make him well worthy of inclusion. Hitting inhumanly high notes along with great lyrical panache, he follows in the great flamboyant frontman tradition of Queen’s Freddie Mercury. And having recently seen them live, I can attest that he doesn’t rely on studio wizardry, he hit every high note with little strain. Impressive. Here’s my favorite Darkness track, which really highlights his vocals.

29.Shirley Manson

[amazon_image id=”B00005OM4F” link=”true” target=”_blank” size=”medium” ]Beautiful Garbage[/amazon_image]

As mentioned in my recent Garbage review, Manson possesses a great sultry voice. Deep and resonant, she sounds equally fragile and strong, and has a voice instantly recognizable. Listen to her emote like hell on ‘Cup Of Coffee‘.

28.Johnette Napolitano

[amazon_image id=”B003M70P3K” link=”true” target=”_blank” size=”medium” ]Bloodletting (20th Anniversary Edition)[/amazon_image]

Concrete Blonde had a relatively short commercial shelf life, but they put out one bona-fide classic with their 1990 album ‘Bloodletting’. Napolitano has a weathered raspy voice that sounds lived in and wise, capable of deep lows and granulated highs. That album has their biggest hit, ‘Joey‘, her impassioned plea to a troubled lover, which still packs a punch.

27.Michael Hutchence

[amazon_image id=”B005O70ZNQ” link=”true” target=”_blank” size=”medium” ]Very Best[/amazon_image]

While we’ll never know the full story on this great front man’s tragic demise, it’s clear he left a huge musical presence. Shades of Morrison were felt in his vocal performances, with a mix of soul and rock that made INXS one of the more unique bands of their era. One of their earliest hits,’Don’t Change‘ remains my favorite. Crank it up loud and it still gives the chills.

26.Matt Johnson

[amazon_image id=”B0000025Z4″ link=”true” target=”_blank” size=”medium” ]Soul Mining[/amazon_image][amazon_image id=”B00000268A” link=”true” target=”_blank” size=”medium” ]Infected[/amazon_image]

Vocalist and song writer for THE THE, Johnson wrote songs of inner turmoil, anchored by his resonant baritone. For songs of such dark subject matter, it’s bizarre how his 80’s alt rock classic ‘This Is The Day’ was used for a M&M commercial. Regardless, his body of work is diverse and still holds up.

25. Jón Þór “Jónsi” Birgisson

[amazon_image id=”B00006LLNU” link=”true” target=”_blank” size=”medium” ]Sigur Rós[/amazon_image]

Sigur Ros have created a truly unique sound. Elements of dream pop combined with lush orchestration, with an ethereal style, their songs are auditory art installations, full of imagery and atmosphere. And what ties it all together is Birgisson’s androgynous otherworldly vocals.

24.Siouxie Sioux

[amazon_image id=”B000000OR3″ link=”true” target=”_blank” size=”medium” ]Peep Show[/amazon_image]

Karen O and Zola Jesus can try (and they’re both pretty good), but they can’t outdo their inspiration. Siouxie’s voice is one of a kind. At once shrill and cold, and other times vulnerable and comforting, it’s an scalpel sharp instrument which helped her band The Banshees carve their inimitable place in music. One of the forebearers of Goth, she remains a standout of the genre, and post punk in general. One of the tracks that best highlights her melodramatic style is the closing track on the Banshees masterpiece ‘Peepshow’, the majestic ‘The Last Beat Of My Heart‘.

Thus ends the first installment of the most Underrated vocalists in rock. Stay tuned for part 2!