Best female vocalist pop albums [Archive] - Beastie Boys Message Board

Nuzzolese

03-27-2009, 09:47 AM

I'm looking for new female vocalist pop albums. There are a lot of artists out there I like, Mariah Carey, Alicia Keyes, Neko Case. I just don't know which albums are worth it and I haven't heard much of what they've all done. How are some of the other albums by the above artists? I think I like Christina Aguilera and Beyonce but I don't have any of their albums.

I want some with good variety, quality music, unique layering of sound and harmonies, not just the usual.

Some of my older faves are

Tidal - Fiona Apple
The Emancipation of Mimi - Mariah Carey
The Diary of Alicia Keyes
Fever - Kylie Minogue
Blacklisted (and to a lesser degree Fox Confessor Brings the Flood) - Neko Case

I don't think I want to bother with the following unless they really did something special I don't know about - Fergie, Pink, Nelly Furtado, Rihanna, Kelly Clarkson, Jessica Simpson, Britney Spears, Katy Perry

Dorothy Wood

03-27-2009, 11:44 AM

I like this lady:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qz7vGW2_5c0

don't own her stuff, but I think she's pretty awesome. I don't really listen to women singers very often. when I was younger I liked tori amos and bjork a lot. don't know if that's pop.

mickill

03-27-2009, 11:44 AM

Mariah's Daydream is easily her best album.

Adam

03-27-2009, 12:21 PM

My favourite would probably be The Cranberries.

Favourite Album would be, erm - their debut actually Everybody Else Is Doing It, So Why Can't We?

taquitos

03-27-2009, 01:09 PM

shocking blue

HEIRESS

03-27-2009, 03:03 PM

Sarah Slean is a pretty good Canadian singer. not sure if she is what you would call a pop singer though.

Same with chantal kreviazuk...

Nuzzolese

03-27-2009, 04:11 PM

well, you know pop / r&b / folk / rock / alt....whatever. Neko Case is almost country. I just like female singers with great voices. I get to pretend I'm singing, I get to feel soulful kinship with other women.

Portishead is also one of my favorites, esp. their album, Dummy

Everything But The Girl is awesome, I should get more of them. I don't think they're considered female pop vocalist in genre.

KT Tunstall's Eye To The Telescope was alright.

I'm not too into Feist.

Bjork's debut is good. I think I had two Bjork albums, I think I lost them.

What's Shocking Blue?

The Cranberries, okay.

I used to have Mariah Carey's Music Box. It was eehhkay.

I forgot about Tori Amos! Which is her best, most enduring? I'm short on cash and short on time for downloading albums. I only want the best of.

Nuzzolese

03-27-2009, 04:13 PM

Mariah's Daydream is easily her best album.

are you cereal or yolking?

Nuzzolese

03-27-2009, 04:14 PM

Has anyone listened to more Fiona Apple? Tidal is one of my favorite full albums, period. I haven't heard much of what she's done other than that, just a song or two, one of them being a cover anyway.

Lyman Zerga

03-27-2009, 04:20 PM

everything by grace jones (not sure if shes a woman though)

HEIRESS

03-27-2009, 04:22 PM

kin up to some Odetta (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VSDeROnTq64)

Caribou

03-27-2009, 04:38 PM

India Arie.
The song 'ready for love' has made me cry numerous times. And I'm usually not the girly weepy type.

Apart from Feist and Adele (clicky!) (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Q_z2WkSKTc), which are already mentioned above, I can't recommend anything, as I seem to have mostly male fronted bands in my mp3 list.

edit: Ooh, Laura Marling (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XonJJbV54BE)!

Dorothy Wood

03-27-2009, 05:08 PM

mickill

03-27-2009, 05:38 PM

I'm no expert on Tori Amos, but I do habitually buy every album of hers, even the ones that suck. And I have to agree, her first three, particularly Little Earthquakes, are her best.

are you cereal or yolking?

I'm not bran flaking you.

What about Cat Power, Nikka Costa or Shelby Lynne? Dusty In Memphis is an oldie but goodie.

DipDipDive

03-27-2009, 06:36 PM

Yes to Cat Power, Feist, Fiona, and Bjork. Also:

Lykke Li - Youth Novels
Camera Obscura - Biggest Bluest Hi-Fi
Joanna Newsom - The Milk-Eyed Mender
Cibo Matto - Stereotype A
Yeah Yeah Yeahs - Fever To Tell
Carol King - Tapestry
Regina Spektor - Begin to Hope
Mazzy Star - So Tonight That I Might See
Roisin Murphy - Ruby Blue
Company of Thieves - Ordinary Riches
Anything Goldfrapp, Patsy Cline, Aretha Franklin, or The Shirelles

There's an awesome female solo artist from here in the Twin Cities named Haley Bonar who I've been digging a lot lately.

A lot of those probably wouldn't be considered pop and I suppose most of them are bands, but having a female front person counts, right? You get the gist. El Perro Del Mar is also rad. Annie Lennox can be the shit sometimes, too.

DipDipDive

03-27-2009, 06:40 PM

Also, Nuzz, if you like Tidal, I'm sure you'd enjoy When the Pawn...It's very good. Extraordinary Machine is okay, there are a few really good songs but it's even more narrative than most of Fiona's stuff and it gets a bit annoying at times. You should also round out your Portishead collection if you haven't already.

Yetra Flam

03-27-2009, 06:42 PM

fiona apple - when the pawn hits the conflicts... - there is not one single moment on this whole album that i dont ADORE. i like tidal as well. but this album is sublime
liz phair - exile in guyville
i guess pj harvey isn't pop either, but shit at least listen to rid of me and to bring you my love, and then work from there.
also, you could give ani difranco, imogen heap, tegan and sara

DipDipDive

03-27-2009, 06:43 PM

A few more that you'd probably like:

The Bird & The Bee
The Blow
Sia

Okay, I'm done now.

yeahwho

03-27-2009, 06:48 PM

I really don't think anything happening today can beat the Supremes.

A lot of that has to do with the backing band though.

Here are the Supremes Acapella (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c709LVhiF0Q&feature=related)

Then here's the Motown band Funk Bros with the instrumentation (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DMsr7JncBOE&feature=related).

Flawless combination. On that instrumentation at the 1:20 mark you can hear the best bassist to ever hit earth just get downright sick.

mickill

03-27-2009, 06:49 PM

Annie Lennox can be the shit sometimes, too.

You don't mean that Walking On Broken Glass/No More I Love You's shit, though, I hope.

I'll bet the whole purpose in this thread was to find more music like this (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rvthIDQ3fEU&feature=PlayList&p=2AA8869181BABF9B&index=2&playnext=2&playnext_from=PL).

DipDipDive

03-27-2009, 06:52 PM

You don't mean that Walking On Broken Glass/No More I Love You's shit, though, I hope.

I'll bet the whole purpose in this thread was to find more music like this (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rvthIDQ3fEU&feature=PlayList&p=2AA8869181BABF9B&index=2&playnext=2&playnext_from=PL).

Nah, I probably should've said "the Eurythmics can be the shit sometimes."

Did I forget to mention that I think it's crucial that everyone has at least a little Nancy Sinatra AND Dusty Springfield in his or her library? Oh.

Aaaaaaaaaand...NOW I'm done.

Miho

03-28-2009, 02:48 AM

Here are some you should give a listen:

Lucinda Williams
Angela Aki
Akiko Shikata
Kat Deluna
Lisa Miskovsky
Origa
Ilaria Graziano
Tomoko Kawase (Also known as: Tommy Heavenly and Tommy February)
Sarina Paris
Laava
Rollergirl

kaiser soze

03-28-2009, 08:30 AM

Here are some suggestions that I enjoy, some obvious some not so

Madonna (duh!)
Dee-Lite
Garbage
Sarah Mclaughlin
Sade
Moloko
Emiliana Torrini
Dido
10,000 Maniacs
Ani Difranco
Cowboy Junkies
Laleh
Regina Spector
Katie Melua
Kimya Dawson
Sneaker Pimps
Madeline Peyroux

Adam

03-28-2009, 09:24 AM

Kittie - nice and relaxing.

jabumbo

03-28-2009, 10:58 AM

Ane Brun - To let myself go (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A7tQiDHSe5E)

janelle monae - violet stars happy hunting (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lzLeWSlM84Y)

Knuckles

03-28-2009, 12:03 PM

Check out Gillian Welch (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s1ujuoo9VbA).

One of my favorite singer/songwriters.

As far as which album to pick...hmm... that's tough. I love them all.

Maybe Soul Journey or Revival.

Dorothy Wood

03-28-2009, 12:04 PM

I really want to like Janelle Monae, but I just can't. I like her look and her voice, but the songs are just too boring and go nowhere. I think she's trying too hard. I'm looking forward to seeing what she might do in the future though.

also, geez, I hate so many of the artists mentioned in this thread. I better stop coming in here or ima puke.

just wanted to add these girls, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HMrqBldlqzA

mathcart

03-28-2009, 12:43 PM

Etta James (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YApNirMC9gM)

Nina Simone (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=22kPiPILteQ)

end of story. Anyone not telling you to start here is evil and obviously can not be trusted.

DipDipDive

03-28-2009, 01:34 PM

also, geez, I hate so many of the artists mentioned in this thread. I better stop coming in here or ima puke.

Like who? Out with it!

paul jones

03-28-2009, 01:44 PM

MS PEACHEZ
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rGrqW3nx5HM

(y):eek:(y)

HEIRESS

03-28-2009, 02:24 PM

P.P. Arnold! (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T0sH4dq_T6s&feature=related)
and again... (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9iYPqN6iQ5k)

She&Him (zooey does most of thes singing)
you really got a hold on me (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NTAjLwWNITg)
same thing live (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YAvnOWc5uD0&feature=related)Why do you let me stay here (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FkzRyHa9a6g)
^totally my anthem a year ago.

Kinnie Starr (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VcEVpXUnQuE) was Canada's fiona apple back in the day I guess...
she also "raps".
but her newer stuff is waaaaay poppier.

Buffy Sainte-Marie!
pretty much the coolest video clip ever (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ALFKIWKQK9A)
she was on sesame street for years actually.
take my hand for awhile (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HNLYTY2G1sw&feature=related)

wow, I just wasted 30 min of my saturday morning on youtube GODDAMMIT!

Dorothy Wood

03-28-2009, 02:26 PM

Like who? Out with it!

Feist
Ani DiFranco
Amy Winehouse
Neko Case
the Pipettes
Dido
Garbage
10,000 Maniacs
Sarah McLachlan

obviously there are exceptions, I do enjoy some of those people some of the time. but in general, I hate them. and actually, my puke reflex was sparked because at first I was confusing Lucinda Williams with Dar Williams. who I loathe.

I also don't like El Perro Del Mar anymore. I listened to her music over and over for a long time and loved it, and then one day I just hated it. it was a strange thing. maybe I'll try it again.

DipDipDive

03-28-2009, 02:26 PM

She&Him (zooey does most of thes singing)
you really got a hold on me (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NTAjLwWNITg)
same thing live (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YAvnOWc5uD0&feature=related)Why do you let me stay here (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FkzRyHa9a6g)
^totally my anthem a year ago.

Off the subject a bit, but M. Ward, the dude from She & Him's solo stuff is aces, too. He does a cover of Bowie's "Let's Dance" that totally breaks my heart.

DipDipDive

03-28-2009, 02:30 PM

Dido LOL

Dorothy Wood

03-28-2009, 02:42 PM

el perro del mar and lykke li: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xtjTAWsNMBU

pretty neat.

I love the swedes!

kaiser soze

03-28-2009, 08:16 PM

Dido LOL

you asked for female pop artists, best even and she was quite successful

if Dido isn't your cup of tea try Valhalla

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MjzVkS8ecMo

:rolleyes:

jabumbo

03-29-2009, 09:29 PM

el perro del mar and lykke li: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xtjTAWsNMBU

pretty neat.

I love the swedes!

i think when i saw this on la blogotheque, i probably watched that video about 4 times in a row and then had to go and find a way to download the song and listen to it some more.

i can't get enough of the swedes myself!

Gareth

03-30-2009, 12:44 AM

robyn and taken by trees

Nuzzolese

03-31-2009, 09:44 AM

What's the best Garbage album?

Nuzzolese

03-31-2009, 10:59 AM

what am I, a gazillionaire?

Fern

03-31-2009, 12:05 PM

Janis Joplin is the best of all-time

Caribou

04-01-2009, 05:34 PM

Did anyone mention Bat For Lashes yet?

jabumbo

04-01-2009, 05:51 PM

what am I, a gazillionaire?

you know you're just going to download them on itunes under somebody elses account. so what do you care?

Duce

04-03-2009, 12:15 PM

Try Amy Kuney: Birds Eye View
Great singer/songwritter. You can find her on myspace.

taquitos

04-04-2009, 01:34 PM

What's Shocking Blue?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2LrQ-g3YnjY&feature=related

MCScoobyT

04-05-2009, 07:15 PM

Racheal Yamagata

Documad

04-06-2009, 11:37 PM

I tend to dislike female pop vocalists, unless the vocalist is black and the record was made prior to 1975. I especially hate young white women who sing with a baby voice. I'm also holding a grudge because they so often disappoint me live. Cat Power was the latest offender but Tori Amos was probably the biggest disappointment.

BTW, given the artists she mentioned in the first post, I think it's curious what you folks are recommending.

I really don't think anything happening today can beat the Supremes.
My first LP was their greatest hits.

Nuzzolese

05-13-2009, 03:17 PM

Thank you so much for recommending Tori Amos, Laura Marling and Cat Power.

I've made a new playlist and it's full of the above, plus Nina Simone, Garbage, Goldfrapp, and a few songs by others including The Cranberries, Shelby Lynne, Amy Winehouse, and The Spice Girls.

hpdrifter

05-13-2009, 04:16 PM

I'd agree on Litle Earthquakes and Under the Pink. Scarlet's Walk has some beauties on it but it's kinda slow. I also have a soft spot for From the Choirgirl Hotel. Even the less good ones will still have reliably beautiful melodies and epic chord progressions. And that voice, well it's like a bell.

I have a Nikka Costa album, I think she's alright but not the kind of singer that makes your voice feel good while singing along and the lyrics are okay but somewhat obvious. I'd definitely get Fiona Apple's second album, "When the Pawn...". The third "Extraordinary Machine" is really really quirky and only for the superfan. I love "I Am Shelby Lynne" but not sure about her other stuff, I have another one, more recent. Might be Suit Yourself?

What about any of these new fangled british soul singers: Winehouse, Duffy, Chasing Pavements chick that cleaned up at the grammys?

Or the new breed of MacLaghlan-esque singer songwriters Sarah Bar-something or Colbie Callait. None of this is my cup of tea so I can't comment on their relative merits but they're on VH1 all the time if that means anything to you.

I'm really into the Yeah Yeah Yeahs' new album. It's dancey but God Karen O has a gorgeous voice.

hpdrifter

05-13-2009, 04:21 PM

Oops, I guess I'm too late.

I'd echo Tegan and Sarah for sure. Poppy fun, nice voices, interesting lyrics.

I gotta say, though, if you're a singer singing along with Beyonce will increase your range. She sings in falsetto almost exclusively so if you wanna exercise that part of your voice, sing along with B.

hpdrifter

05-13-2009, 04:34 PM

There's another local chick around here who has a lovely sing alongable voice: Heather Duby. I've heard she's kind of an idiot though.

mate_spawn_die

05-13-2009, 04:41 PM

Upstairs at Eric's (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Upstairs_at_Eric%27s)

hpdrifter

06-11-2009, 11:33 AM

Due to this thread I busted out When the Pawn a couple days ago and was reminded what a fuckin great album that is.

I never noticed how good her songwriting is or how well she structures her lyrics. I always just focused on her voice and how it seemed she was telling my story.

Anyway, what the fuck is she doing these days? For crying out fucking loud make another album already!

Maybe I should give Extraordinary Machine some more listens.

Nuzzolese

06-26-2009, 05:12 PM

I just checked out Regina Spektor, only heard 3 or four songs so far. LOVE! I'd heard of her before but I was under the impression that she was some aging member of the Ronnettes coming out with a solo album. I wasn't interested. Then I heard her on the radio this morning and she sounded so young. New person!