James Dean Bradfield of the Manic Street Preachers is my favourite vocalist ever.

Zack de la Rocha from RATM... While his polital views can go over the top at times his vocals are always amazing.

Oh and Caleb Followill from Kings of Leon. Just listen to Charmer, need i say more?

Craig Finn of the Hold Steady.

While in no ways a technical singer, his delivery (coupled with his lyrics) is wholly unique and full of passion. The only person who I can think of that did similar vocal stylings with their music was early Springsteen; I always expect Springsteen to start singing on "How A Resurrection Really Feels." And, come to think of it, that would be awesome sauce.

quote:

Originally posted by crob3888:
Craig Finn of the Hold Steady.

Aww... I was going to say that. Now I'll have to think of someone else...Tegan/Sara Quin, just something about their vocals I really like, even better Justin Vernon, so haunting, so beautiful

Glad to see love for Craig, as always.

Another great vocalist who I wanted to mention (great lyrics as well) is Elliott Smith. Something about him is just so vital.

Of contemporary artists, the two voices I like to listen to the most would be:
Male: Daniel Rossen of Grizzly Bear/Department of Eagles
Female: Marissa Nadler

quote:

Originally posted by HeyThatsMyShoe:
Of contemporary artists, the two voices I like to listen to the most would be:
Male: Daniel Rossen of Grizzly Bear/Department of Eagles
Female: Marissa Nadler

I agree, I much prefer Daniel Rossen to Ed Droste.

Another great vocalist would have to be John Darnielle of Mountain Goats.

the Grizzlies are nothing w/o Droste, both are just as good vocalists imo.

As for faves, you gotta love James Brown & Dylan. everyone before and after were just poseurs.

I agree with all the PJ Harvey, Thom Yorke, and Jim James mentions. They would all rank in my favorite vocalists as well. Other favorites include Karen O, Bono, Brian Wilson, Paul McCartney and John Lennon.

Ed Droste, Brian Wilson, Billie Holiday, Robin Pecknold, Esperanza Spalding.

Solomon Burke
Jon Birgisson (Sigur Ros)
Linda Ronstadt and Aaron Neville (especially when they sing together)
Annie Lennox
Freddy Mercury
Tom Chaplin (Keane)
Nat King Cole
Susanna Hoffs
Mika
Aretha Franklin

Waldo from Hatebeak.

quote:

Originally posted by public access:
Waldo from Hatebeak.

That band is hilarious, I died laughing when I first listened to them.
More of my favorites:
Mirah
Matt Berninger
Kate Cooper

My top ones at the moment would be...

Male:
Finn Andrews (The Veils)
Greg Gilbert (Delays)
Jonas Bjerre (Mew)
Jonathan Meiburg (Shearwater)
Jeff Buckley
Fionn Regan
Scott Walker
Brett Anderson (Suede)
Bram Vanparys (The Bony King of Nowhere)
Jónsi Birgisson (Sigur Ros)
Robin Pecknold (Fleet Foxes)
Andrew Montgomery (Geneva)

Female:
Elizabeth Fraser (Cocteau Twins)
Natasha Khan (Bat For Lashes)
Traceyanne Campbell (Camera Obscura)
Erin Welton (Autumn's Grey Solace)
Juanita Stein (Howling Bells)
Emily Haines
Shana Worden (My Brightest Diamond)

A couple of my favorite female singers that come straight to mind:

Susanna Karolina Wallumrød (she of Susanna and the Magical Orchestra fame, as well as a couple solo albums under simply Susanna)

Rosie Thomas (I don't really care a whole lot for her songwriting, but her voice is flat amazing. The song she sang for Damien Jurado on Ghost of David, "Parking Lot," is absolutely incredible. Probably my favorite female voice out there.)