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How good a singer was Kurt Cobain?

How good a vocalist was he?


  • Total voters
    78
I think his voice during the unplugged Set was great.
 
Not a fan of him or Nirvana honestly.

He was good at sounding like a tortured soul I guess.

And yes, Vedder, Cornell and Stayley were way better.
 
Excellent screamer.

Most of the grunge guys knew how to emote outside the box.
 
Paradoxically 'Professional' singers can't compete.
I agree. Take someone like Christina Aguilera or Celine Dion - they can hit every note, have incredible range, have a team of people writing and producing their very catchy songs, but that indescribebable human element is missing. It’s just notes on a page sounded out - there’s no feeling coming across, no matter how loud you crank it up.
 
based on what criteria? him being a good singer will depend on what you consider good singing.
 
I guess what you think good singing is.

for me, a good singer is someone who can sing with emotion and range, and who is consistent. a singer who is good live. i would say kurt cobain is a good singer. it was perfect singing for that dirty, grunge sound of the 90's.
 
I think the song below is a good representation of his style and abilities as a vocalist overall. His voice is like a combination of Dylan, Lennon, and a vague sort of haunting quality, that adds another dimension to the song. It's as if his voice is just vessel for his depression to manifest itself.

 
Underrated, ppl are still saying Pearl Jam and Soundgarden had the better frontmen which is a joke.

He had tremendous power and emotion in his voice that were far more impressive than the range of Eddie or that other bum.

Layne is a different story but gtfo with Vedder and Cornell.
 
his actual voice was fine but it inspired some of the cringiest voices we have ever heard in music. basically every post-grunge scott weiland/scott stapp/chad kroeger voice was inspired by kurt and i couldn't hate it more.
 
Good for grunge. I'd take Vedder and Layne way over him though.
The only thing better than Layne Staley was a vocal harmonization between Staley and Cantrell.
 
Underrated, ppl are still saying Pearl Jam and Soundgarden had the better frontmen which is a joke.

He had tremendous power and emotion in his voice that were far more impressive than the range of Eddie or that other bum.

Layne is a different story but gtfo with Vedder and Cornell.
lol, from a purely technical stand point... Cornell is better than all of them.
 
The only thing better than Layne Staley was a vocal harmonization between Staley and Cantrell.
This is why theywere so flippin great. Thankfully after he died, the new lead was a very similar lead and the harmony carried on.
 
You actually think Grohl is a better singer?

He has more talent and musical ability than the rest of Nirvana combined.

Can't stand his music though to be honest.
 
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