Your Pick for Most Overrated Rock Singer of All Time

[KCKUKFan]

Just seeing the edits. I agree about the Pixies/Beatles album, and about "Unplugged". Would've been interesting to hear a studio album with Pat Smear as a full-time member.

I've been listening to "Doolittle" a lot lately. Not sure how you feel about The Pixies, but I think that album is phenomenal.

And what's your stance on Sonic Youth? I'll go ahead and say that they've always been hit-or-miss for me. They wrote some interesting stuff, and I always dug their textures, but on the whole I always found the shoegazer movement to be awfully pretentious.

If you watch the live shows they did in promotion of "In Utero," it's obvious how much more kick Pat Smear gave those songs. I think Nirvana would've benefitted from one more guy to really kick the songs in the ass. For as loud as those noise tracks on In Utero were, they sounded empty. I always chalked it up to Albini's "less is more" production asthetic, but come to think of it, it might be because they were missing an instrument.

[KCKUKFan]

I heard about that earlier. I liked them when they were together, thought the dual album was just okay, and haven't given them too much thought since. Interesting musicians, though. Talented.

I implore you to listen to Big Boi's first solo record, "Sir Lucious Left Foot." It's an early-era Outkast record, minus Andre (granted, that's a pretty big minus). In any event, that album was funky as hell and Big Boi ripped it up.

[George]

If you watch the live shows they did in promotion of "In Utero," it's obvious how much more kick Pat Smear gave those songs. I think Nirvana would've benefitted from one more guy to really kick the songs in the ass. For as loud as those noise tracks on In Utero were, they sounded empty. I always chalked it up to Albini's "less is more" production asthetic, but come to think of it, it might be because they were missing an instrument.

Yeah, I've heard some of that stuff. Smear was (is? not sure if he's still playing) a really good guitarist for that era/genre. Didn't love Foo Fighters, but Smear would've contributed to another Nirvana album in a major way.

[George]

I implore you to listen to Big Boi's first solo record, "Sir Lucious Left Foot." It's an early-era Outkast record, minus Andre (granted, that's a pretty big minus). In any event, that album was funky as hell and Big Boi ripped it up.

Will do. Thanks for the rec.

[KCKUKFan]

Yeah, I've heard some of that stuff. Smear was (is? not sure if he's still playing) a really good guitarist for that era/genre. Didn't love Foo Fighters, but Smear would've contributed to another Nirvana album in a major way.

He's still the lead in Foo Fighters, as far as I know. Great singles band, weak album band, by the way.

[KCKUKFan]

Speaking of Godly 90s records, I'm listening to Weezer's "Pinkerton" at the moment.

One of the best albums I've ever heard.

[George]

Speaking of Godly 90s records, I'm listening to Weezer's "Pinkerton" at the moment.

One of the best albums I've ever heard.

Excellent.

However, Weezer's always been a "what could have been" band for me. All the talent in the world, both in musical and songwriting ability, but Rivers chooses more often than not to write the goofiest, corniest pop songs imaginable.

I guess that's why I'm so partial to "Pinkerton": easily their weirdest/most unique album.

[Matt Dillon]

It's hard for me to answer this because I'm musically illiterate, so I don't really know if music is "good" or not. I just like what I like and can't really articulate why.

Same here, Will.

[KevinHall]

Stevie Nicks is one of those who's voice fit the songs, but vocally she had a range of an octave at her best and now is less than that. The South Park episode involving Stevie Nicks as a goat wasn't far from the mark. That said, I've got both of her first solo albums and love most of the songs thereon, but a pure singer...............

Any solo artist I don't consider in the discussion because they aren't "bands", per se.

I'm not very music literate or have a good ear for any music to start off so whatever I say is coming from that. We saw Stevie Nick in concert a few years ago. She seemed as good as ever to me. She had her voice coach with her and they did a song together. She says she practices with him every day for a few hours. She credited that more than anything to be able to continue to have a good voice. I never thought her voice was great but just unique. Which I think is a must to be a success in the business.
We saw Paul McCartney in 2013 at Nationals Park. His voice has gone way downhill. It was a fabulous show. He went for three hours without hardly a pause. But anyone can tell his voice has greatly diminished over the years. Heck he was 70 when we saw him so that should be no surprise.

[KCKUKFan]

Excellent.

However, Weezer's always been a "what could have been" band for me. All the talent in the world, both in musical and songwriting ability, but Rivers chooses more often than not to write the goofiest, corniest pop songs imaginable.

I guess that's why I'm so partial to "Pinkerton": easily their weirdest/most unique album.

They're last two albums, if not a total return to form, are easily the best stuff they've made since "Pinkerton."

"Everything Will Be Alright In The End" and "The White Album" (especially) are both very good pop rock records that I would recommend to fans of simple, punchy rock music.

[surveyor]

I'm not very music literate or have a good ear for any music to start off so whatever I say is coming from that. We saw Stevie Nick in concert a few years ago. She seemed as good as ever to me. She had her voice coach with her and they did a song together. She says she practices with him every day for a few hours. She credited that more than anything to be able to continue to have a good voice. I never thought her voice was great but just unique. Which I think is a must to be a success in the business.
We saw Paul McCartney in 2013 at Nationals Park. His voice has gone way downhill. It was a fabulous show. He went for three hours without hardly a pause. But anyone can tell his voice has greatly diminished over the years. Heck he was 70 when we saw him so that should be no surprise.

I don't think Nicks is bad. She's just not as good of a singer with the range or clarity of, say, Ann Wilson. But I enjoy listening to the Fleetwood Mac songs featuring Nicks. I thought her first two solo albums were excellent. If you listen to Nicks' original cut of "Landslide" versus the cut from "The Dance", or compare the original cut of "Rhiannon" to the cut on "The Dance", she's unable to achieve the upper range as she once did. She flattens the upper register out by a note or two. Nothing wrong with that - it's simply a result of age. Same with Robert Plant, Steve Perry, Paul McCartney and on and on. Age diminishes the ability to hit the same highs.

All of my responses have been with regard to the OP and criticism of Robert Plant. If you look at the criteria in the Rolling Stones' link earlier with regard to top 100 rock singers, it covers qualities other than possessing a great voice. I think it's difficult to say Plant is overrated but then list other singers as great who have similar shortcomings to Plant. To say that Plant is overrated leaves us with choosing singers who are pure vocalists. SImply put, if Plant is really overrated, then half or more of the top 100 front men and solo rock artists are overrated.

[Catsrock]

I agree with Surveyor on Dylan as my pick and for the same reason...can't sing a lick but much better songwrighter. Tons of songs on classic rock stations by other bands were written by Dylan.

I prefer the more southern version of the Doobie Brothers but Michael McDonald can sure sing some soul.

Also as others have said--if your at a live rock show the showmanship is an enormous part of what you're looking for. Perhaps more important than vocal talent. But to listen at home is different story.

[Catsrock]

As for Ozzy--I liked him solo and Sabbath but he is still touring--coming to Louisville soon. Question is--in his stupid--s reality show he was so fried/burnt out he struggled to walk across his living room floor or speak a simple sentence. So was that just all fake crap or is he actually still able to put on a show?

Just hard to imagine paying to see that guy the way he was even 10 years ago perform.

Weezer--yes, very goofy songs but my 3 kids think the Sweater Song is the funniest song ever. I'll have to play it tonight and laugh at them laughing and singing along to the chorus.

[Uncle Dave]

Joe freakin ****************er, Rod Stewart, Mick Jagger(I walked out of their concert at Rupp years ago, and on my way out met his warm up Eddie Money, who also sucked).

[Blue Heaven]

Good call on Weezer. LOVE those guys. This thread has been pulled in a lot of directions but that is what music does to people.

Any White Stripes Fans in here? Those two can tear it up. Good hard, soulful, bluesy rock. Jack's playing is unique but he is so talented. Caught a documentary with him, Edge, and Page called It Might Get Loud. Good stuff.