The importance of vocals

[The McThief]

So almost everyone I know thinks vocals are the most important part of music. I, on the other hand listen to music mostly for the instruments.

Now I realize that vocals give the music a meaning, but it seems kind of like an unnecessary thing...kind of like something that is added on just to be added on (no offense to anybody)

So I'm wondering, am I the only person that feels this way?

 

[Necris]

For me whether the vocals are important or not depends entirely on the band in question.

 

[ittoa666]

For me whether the vocals are important or not depends entirely on the band in question.

Good vocals and lyrics can add that "something" that a song needs.

 

[somesevenscale]

I think having vocals makes music relatable. It gives people something they can sing along with at a show or get into when listening at home. I love instrumental music, but seeing it live just isnt the same, it ends up feeling like music for musicians. Vocals let any old person feel included haha, just my opinion

 

[ry_z]

For me whether the vocals are important or not depends entirely on the band in question.

2:50 = I couldn't imagine this band without vocals.



This doesn't have vocals, and would never need them.

 

[Metamurphic]

The first thing i'm attracted to is the actual music. if i'm interested enough in the music i don't care what the vocals are doing (eg Dream Theater lol) unless the vocals are so bad they ruin everything. Some bands NEED a vocalist to maintain interest, personally i'd never listen to a band just for the vocalist but that's just me.

Then again there some great bands that have a vocalist who is just there. you hear vocals but feel they don't enhance the music at all.

I'm in a group that's seeking a vocalist at the moment, It's hard to find someone who would complete the sound rather than just be there for vocals.

Shameless Band Spam

 

[The McThief]

For me whether the vocals are important or not depends entirely on the band in question.

Good point. When I relate it to my favorite band ever, August Burns Red hbang I realize they wouldn't be as awesome without vocals. Some music needs to be just more complex to be entertaining without vocals.

On the other end, I don't personally think BTBAM really needs vocals (I'm gonna get ready to be flamed to death for that XD) because they're so complex in the first place. THOSE vocals seem to be just "there".

 

[Adam Of Angels]

Vocals are, or rather can be, amazing because it's the way in which we use our own bodies as musical instruments. No hardware or equipment is necessary, and yet the results can be beautiful.

 

[KenAncients]

People relate to the human voice in terms of relating to music. When you take the human voice away you give the instruments the power to make a statement. What i love about instrumental music is it's almost like art. Each individual can have it's own interpretation of what the musicians are trying to portray.

 

[JamesM]

Depends on genre/content.

For example, I'd be pissed if I heard any form of vocals on most of the great old Mingus tunes.

In contrast, my lord and savior Tom Waits is so defined BECAUSE OF his vocals.

Futher, lacking vocals, for me, is the one thing keeping Animals As Leaders from being one of the greatest bands on the face of the Earth. Imagine what they could do with a great vocalist. Also, instrumental music will never, EVER be as large in Western markets as that which has vocals.

A heavy majority of those who listen to instrumental music are musicians or instrumentalists. I don't think that is what music is about at all.

 

[Despised_0515]

Vocal Patterns > Lyrics... kinda.

Some of the cheesiest lines have sounded so darn good just because of their flow.

 

[Adam Of Angels]

Vocal Patterns > Lyrics... kinda.

Some of the cheesiest lines have sounded so darn good just because of their flow.

Blind Guardian being proof of this

 

[The McThief]

People relate to the human voice in terms of relating to music. When you take the human voice away you give the instruments the power to make a statement. What i love about instrumental music is it's almost like art. Each individual can have it's own interpretation of what the musicians are trying to portray.

Amen! That's what I love about instrumental stuff such as Animals as Leaders and Irepress

Depends on genre/content.

For example, I'd be pissed if I heard any form of vocals on most of the great old Mingus tunes.

In contrast, my lord and savior Tom Waits is so defined BECAUSE OF his vocals.

Futher, lacking vocals, for me, is the one thing keeping Animals As Leaders from being one of the greatest bands on the face of the Earth. Imagine what they could do with a great vocalist. Also, instrumental music will never, EVER be as large in Western markets as that which has vocals.

A heavy majority of those who listen to instrumental music are musicians or instrumentalists. I don't think that is what music is about at all.

I wouldn't want AAL to get a vocalist. I think it would take away from Tosin. But hey, opinions are opinions

Vocal Patterns > Lyrics... kinda.

Some of the cheesiest lines have sounded so darn good just because of their flow.

Vocal patterns can still be pulled off using instruments though.

 

[sol niger 333]

I think it should be a sum of parts and planned/written with all parts and the song in mind. As soon as vocals occur as an afterthought and not part of the writing process it sounds as such.

 

[All_¥our_Bass]

I like when vocals are treated more like an instrument rather than just a way to give the songs some "idea behind the music" or accessibility.

A heavy majority of those who listen to instrumental music are musicians or instrumentalists. I don't think that is what music is about at all.

To me music is all about the sounds themselves, regardless if they are made by a voice or an instrument.

Also, I'd like lots of classic rock A LOT more if it weren't for all this blusey screeching about their girl/woman, etc. Often understanding the lyrics make a song less enjoyable.

IMO IMO IMO

 

[spattergrind]

I think vocals can make or break a band. IMO I cant get into bands like: Every time I Die, etc. I just don't like that obnoxious hardcore, British punk style, slurring wailing.
It cant take away from the music.
I think it has to work with the music well. I like Despised Icon, they don't have the best vocals in the world, but IT WORKS and plays of off the instruments well.

I agree, some bands do not need vocals like AAL. It would ruin it. It would take away from the talent.
I also hate when in music videos, all the attention is on the vocalist, like thats all that matters.

 

[Krankguitarist]

Depends on the band, really.

I don't listen much for the vocals, or the instruments. For me, the most important part of music is structure, form, and flow. Sum of all the parts. Song could have a killer hook or riff in it, or a phenomenal vocal performance, but if it's got jarring transitions and/or parts sound "forced", then I just can't get into it.

Instrumental music generally needs to be structured differently than vocal music, though, in order to keep it interesting. It opens doors as to where a song can go...but also closes a few others. The whole verse/chorus/verse/chorus/bridge/verse/chorus thing is a lot harder to pull off instrumentally than it is in a vocal context.

 

[Stealthdjentstic]

Vocals can definitely make or break a band for me. If the band is using a lot of cleans yet the vocalist has no power or can't actually sing (hey all 73% of metalcore bands!) then I'll turn that shit off ASAP. If I'm listening to a genre that treats vocals as another instrument to create textures, then they aren't nearly as important.

 

[Variant]

I'm sorry, I didn't hear what you were saying... was listening to Cloudkicker.

 

[Polythoral]

Not necessary, no. Really depends on the band, seeing as bands tend to choose to write to incorporate them or not to. Bands without many melodies and leads written in for the instrumentation clearly require vocals to give you something more memorable, cutting through to be focused on.

Then there's bands like Scale The Summit, Lye By Mistake, or Journal where the instrumentation sings/tells the story alone and doesn't require anything more.