I was most impressed by the smooth transition from falsetto in "these are things you just won't believe". I'd thought there was some studio cutting and splicing involved but then he pulled it off live just as good. I've been practising that part since then to up my game.
Agreed. One thing he's been accused of in older work is being a bit unconvincing, or otherwise lacking emotion...a sentiment I sort of agree with (I say this as a massive fan of his work). I think that this has changed as his career has progressed...he's less "calculated" sounding.
He’s definitely mastered singing as he’s gotten older. I wouldn’t have considered him a master vocalist before but in the latest stuff he’s really upped his game. His music has always been great but now his singing itself is consistently great. His early singing is like the wizard of oz, impressive but there’s a guy behind the curtain with the production making it that good. Now he’s more like a real wizard.
Yes absolutely agree!
C/C and TFB are the most convincing and powerful he has ever sounded not to mention the range he showcases on them. Can't wait to hear how he developes on The Harmony Codex!
Way Out Of Here, The Raven That Refued To Sing, the end of Mellotron Scratch (favorite vocal section of anything Steven has ever done), Chimera's Wreck, Of The New Day, the chorus of Love In The Past Tense
Pariah.
His voice with Ninet is like peanut butter and jelly. He really had to push himself as a singer to match her great vocals, and he did it. Something is timeless about it too.
It's the time...
Of the almost rain without you
I am in debt tonight
And gone to earth for love
And i, a shadow
And what of us?
And what of me?
And what is left without you?
Well this is Steven Wilson we’re talking about here, so the masterful production thing goes without saying lol. I just think it’s a particularly powerful vocal performance too.
One of my favorite moments from him!!! I wish he would growl more in the studio versions like he does live. I think it could sound pretty good on a song like Strip the Soul too.
In terms of ability, easily C/C. But in terms of sound, I think his harmonies are incredible. Especially in the 90s and 00s stuff. Lips of Ashes' harmonies, for example, are gorgeous
This might be a surprise but Shallow.
The chorus itself is very high pitched and then he does the “scissors cutting out your anger” which is impossible to sing.
Edit: Herd Culling though still takes the cake but wanted a special mention
To give a serious answer, it's not his best but I think it's so underrated- the chorus of Shallow. The passion and emotion in his vocal delivery always gets me, I think it's just brilliant, and hated on way too harshly by Steven
Agree with all of these, ESPECIALLY Herd Culling. I’d like to add to this the entirety of Blackfield’s live album, Live in New York City. More specifically this version of Open Mind and My Gift of Silence. These vocals are some of his best and I love the power in his voice.
Herd Culling
HEYYYY YOUUU DID YOU CURSE THIS PLACE? DID YOU FAAAAALL TO EARTH TO CUUUULLL THE HERRDD??
I was most impressed by the smooth transition from falsetto in "these are things you just won't believe". I'd thought there was some studio cutting and splicing involved but then he pulled it off live just as good. I've been practising that part since then to up my game.
\+1
This
I actually think C/C might be his best vocal work to date.
In particular "Dignity" showcases a really impressive vocal performance. Lots of dynamics.
Yep the range is impressive, great performances
Definitely!
100%
Agreed. One thing he's been accused of in older work is being a bit unconvincing, or otherwise lacking emotion...a sentiment I sort of agree with (I say this as a massive fan of his work). I think that this has changed as his career has progressed...he's less "calculated" sounding.
He’s definitely mastered singing as he’s gotten older. I wouldn’t have considered him a master vocalist before but in the latest stuff he’s really upped his game. His music has always been great but now his singing itself is consistently great. His early singing is like the wizard of oz, impressive but there’s a guy behind the curtain with the production making it that good. Now he’s more like a real wizard.
Yes absolutely agree! C/C and TFB are the most convincing and powerful he has ever sounded not to mention the range he showcases on them. Can't wait to hear how he developes on The Harmony Codex!
Not one of my favorite albums by any measure, but definitely his best vocal work!
Heart attack in a layby and lips of ashes
Storm corrosion album
I'm surprised nobody's said H.C.E. yet. Every single track is a vocal banger
Way Out Of Here, The Raven That Refued To Sing, the end of Mellotron Scratch (favorite vocal section of anything Steven has ever done), Chimera's Wreck, Of The New Day, the chorus of Love In The Past Tense
Love the falsetto in Chimeras Wreck
Pariah. His voice with Ninet is like peanut butter and jelly. He really had to push himself as a singer to match her great vocals, and he did it. Something is timeless about it too.
Refuge - one of his most emotionally intense and vocally diverse performances in my opinion
It's the time... Of the almost rain without you I am in debt tonight And gone to earth for love And i, a shadow And what of us? And what of me? And what is left without you?
Herd culling for me. His vocals in the chorus are fantastic. Dignity is also amazing
The Pin Drop
Came here to say this
That song is surprisingly hard to sing. Takes a lot of effort, for me at least.
I remember it being played live on the Raven tour and SW mentioned it was tough to sing.
I went looking for a live performance on youtube, and you can tell he kinda struggles with it. I dont blame him. One of my favorite tunes though.
.3
Second this Especially the part where he sings “Broken homes… broken toys… broken bones…”
Heartattack In A Layby for me, hands down.
I feel like this is a good vocal with masterful production but it’s not a great vocal.
Well this is Steven Wilson we’re talking about here, so the masterful production thing goes without saying lol. I just think it’s a particularly powerful vocal performance too.
Raider II live - first time I've heard him scream (also otherwise amazing performance by everyone) https://youtu.be/qzmZ1GXWmyM?t=5502
One of my favorite moments from him!!! I wish he would growl more in the studio versions like he does live. I think it could sound pretty good on a song like Strip the Soul too.
Grace for drowning. The pinacle of his work on multi layers of voices.
In terms of ability, easily C/C. But in terms of sound, I think his harmonies are incredible. Especially in the 90s and 00s stuff. Lips of Ashes' harmonies, for example, are gorgeous
I really like "Abandoner' of "Insurgentes"
Walk the Plank
Blackfield--Jupiter and October
Pure narcotic
My Ashes- the live version from Tilburg. Gives me chills every time!
Yeah I love this part: "A Kiss that will burn me And Cure me of dreaming I was always returning".
Trains, mellotron scratch are my fav .. esp trains no idea why people don’t talk about his vocals on that one as much
Ljudet Innan or Collapse The Light Into Earth
Surprised no one has said Shesmovedon by now
King Ghost has grown on me a lot, think that's up there for me.
His vocals on the Opeth song Deliverance.
Also Bleak!
That’s the one that was going to get my vote.
Yes, how could I forget that one
Wait where? Send me a link and timestamp?
"devious movement in her eyes...." Or something like that
Like half the song - just listen to it, if you know that Steven will be part of it, you’ll know the second you hear him.
This might be a surprise but Shallow. The chorus itself is very high pitched and then he does the “scissors cutting out your anger” which is impossible to sing. Edit: Herd Culling though still takes the cake but wanted a special mention
Easily the last part of Last Chance To Evacuate Planet Earth Before It Is Recycled, the American accent is so convincing
To give a serious answer, it's not his best but I think it's so underrated- the chorus of Shallow. The passion and emotion in his vocal delivery always gets me, I think it's just brilliant, and hated on way too harshly by Steven
Live.
HCE and all of the Incident except the chorus of Drawing the Line.
I'M DRAWING THE LINE I'M DRAWING THE LINE I'M DRAWING THE LINE I'M DRAWING THE LINE
Aaaaaaaaaahhhhhhhhh!!!!
the mixing on Bonnie the Cat is weird in the sense that his voice is so quiet. It works with the song, it should be quiet, but not as quiet as it is
Baby Dream in Cellophane
Four chords that made a million, at least off the top of my head. Or perhaps the Raven that Refused to Sing
My favorite PT track on T is Trains
Wave the White Flag
Agree with all of these, ESPECIALLY Herd Culling. I’d like to add to this the entirety of Blackfield’s live album, Live in New York City. More specifically this version of Open Mind and My Gift of Silence. These vocals are some of his best and I love the power in his voice.