Rate the vocalist scale

[TheFish]

Last monday night we were discussing the merits or lack thereof that some of the vocalists in the featured bands.

I hit upon a new scale that I'm sure we all can use with equal gusto.

I Call it:

the Hammill-O-Meter

Pronounced Hammillometer or simply HOM for those prone to TLA.

The original scale was to be 0.0 - 5.0. However Jim mentioned Hammill himself as a benchmark is infinity, which absurd for a scientific unit of measure. Infinity is of course undefined. Indeed, it's kinda like being a moron. there are all kinds of morons.

So the resolution of the scale 0.0 to 10.0.
0.0 == good ( maybe even Great) vocalist.
1.0 == good to fine.
2.0 == indifferent
etc. etc.
down to 10.0 == almost Hammillistic perfection (ie: fingernails on a chalkboard)

We now have a rating scale, derived through rigorous scientific study ( a few beers ), for ease of use.

EXAMPLE:
Jon Anderson would be an HOM rating of 0.0.
Captain Beefheart HOM 9.0
Me (TheFish) HOM 9.9. (you have never heard me sing :urp: )

You may now obtain your Phd in HOM.

Don't get excited this is a joke.

I am sorry if the topic offends anyone with opposite views. :hand:

[spewie]

I feel so much more edumacated now, Thank you fish :)

[Yesspaz]

My 0.0 picks

Steve Perry
Eddie Vedder (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qM0zINtulhM&ob=av2n)
Pete Loeffler (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=trinU3VD1Zo&ob=av2e) - Great video too. Awesome song, killer vox, especially at the end.
Fleming McWilliams - classically trained, but chose to rock out. Mixes rock vocals (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gM5xYwSZZoY&ob=av2e#t=2m26s) with classical style (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yt6L-_aXoKU)
Mississippi's own The King (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HZBUb0ElnNY)
Jon Anderson
Doug Pinnick (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mg3mUhGVCgo)

My 1.0 picks
Mary Chapin Carpenter (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hg80rmz2h9c#t=0m26s)
Joanne Hogg (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XhzlqtWFg-I#t=0m30s)
Kevin Max (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=03OlWwosWMA) His first solo album is a hidden gem. Features Adrian Belew, Tony Levin, and John Mark Painter.
Jon Forman (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5_5oE0ijhKg)

My 2.0 picks
Leigh Nash (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1lPXpr22bF0&feature=related) - an acquired taste. You have to have thing for syrupy-sweet Southern accents (I do).
Mark Salomon (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WBusZtgK-Y0&ob=av2e) - great hard rock vocals. Wouldn't work for anything else.
Gary Puckett (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qJFVPxBpezk)
Paul Hewson (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yi52HjJbwVQ&ob=av2e) - very versatile
Pete Stewart (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wYZK94ptkUk&feature=related#t=2m45s)

Beefheart is a 9.0

[nsgobbi]

My 0.0 benchmarks, no revision needed for at least 20 years:
Jon Anderson & Anneke van Giersbergen.

[TheFish]

Beefheart is a 9.0

You are correct. I'll change.

[Mike413]

I would think that a 9 or 10 would be the vocalists you think are the best not the worst. I have never seen a scale used this way and I imagine it would confuse the shit out of most people who want to participate.

[thegooze]

:LOL: Mailo is going to love this. :D :vaxman:

[KeithieW]

On the scale that Fish suggests:
Jon and Ian Anderson would be a 0.0

James LaBrie would be a 1,000,000.00

Aaarrrrgggghhhh!!!!!!!!!

Flame on moonbuds!!!!!

[lamour]

So the resolution of the scale 0.0 to 10.0.
0.0 == good ( maybe even Great) vocalist.
1.0 == good to fine.
2.0 == indifferent
etc. etc.
down to 10.0 == almost Hammillistic perfection (ie: fingernails on a chalkboard)


ok, first off, props for being a geek and counting from 0. lol

However, I have two major issues with this scale. First, I agree with whoever said this scale is upside down. Think of it out of context: "This singer is really a zero, man." Does that sound like a good thing? lol

And my other major beef is that there are two important factors to consider with vocalists. One is the quality of the voice and the other is the quality of the singing. Hammill has a terrible voice, but is a good singer. Same for Todd Rundgren. There are many examples of bad singers with pleasant voices. I just don't think you can get away with a single number for this scale, but splitting it makes it too complicated. I think it would be easier to just go back to trying to figure out a definition for "prog" ;-)

[TheFish]

ok, first off, props for being a geek and counting from 0. lol

However, I have two major issues with this scale. First, I agree with whoever said this scale is upside down. Think of it out of context: "This singer is really a zero, man." Does that sound like a good thing? lol

And my other major beef is that there are two important factors to consider with vocalists. One is the quality of the voice and the other is the quality of the singing. Hammill has a terrible voice, but is a good singer. Same for Todd Rundgren. There are many examples of bad singers with pleasant voices. I just don't think you can get away with a single number for this scale, but splitting it makes it too complicated. I think it would be easier to just go back to trying to figure out a definition for "prog" ;-)


For crying out loud. :aua: The scale reflects magnitude of imperfections.
0.0 meaning there are no imperfections. (I thank you for the geek comment! )
10.0 meaning loaded with imperfections. Or it just plain bugs the shit out of you.

Besides it was just meant to be read and be amusing. No participation was intended.

OK? Have a nice day

[lamour]

For crying out loud. :aua: The scale reflects magnitude of imperfections.


OOOOOOOOOOHHH!! Sorry, units were missing from the original post. ;-)

I was amused, but it's difficult for me to not over-analyze things. lol

[schupdoggy]

Patrik Lundström = 0.0

[Yesspaz]

Dolores O'Riordan (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2ZJHZLFCwjE) Easily a 2.0 or 1.0 if not a 0.0. New album on Valentine's Day. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roses_(album))

[OverHillandDale]

I've seen this type of scale before. At the time it was called the "Suck-O-Meter."

[SnardLivesHere]

Joe Puerta (Ambrosia) gets a 0 from me.

[emperorken]

Annie- 0.0
Justin Hayward- 0.0
Peter Nicholls- 1.0
Dave Cousins- 2.0
Geddy Lee- 3.0
Roine Stolt- 9.0

[meissa]

Since this is meant to be fun I'll throw my contribution in now that I recovered from the laugh. (Thanks, Fish :D)

Justin Bieber - 9.9
Rebecca Black - 12.0
Autotune Software - PRICELESS! (although, some nail-on-chalkboard singers would benefit from it :D )

[VAXman]

Fish at NEARfest -- 11.0

He couldn't find a note even if it was tattooed on his forehead as he stood a "Vigil in a Wilderness of Mirrors!" :D

[Magic Mountain]

http://sofasound.wordpress.com/

"There are over eight hours of performances in this box. Far too much to take in at one session."