Barney's Vocals
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Agreed.
Some of the NCAT tracks have me wondering how much he hated the latter years of NO. He's singing better, playing better, and actually having a good time.
I suppose he doesn't feel as pressured with Jake around. But he's certainly improved over the 2001-2006 tours.
michael preda wrote: Agreed.
Some of the NCAT tracks have me wondering how much he hated the latter years of NO. He's singing better, playing better, and actually having a good time.
I suppose he doesn't feel as pressured with Jake around. But he's certainly improved over the 2001-2006 tours.
I guess that could have an effect on vocals and attitude. I've read blogs and reviews in Japanese about BL's album, and quite a few noticed about how youthful sounding his voice is, how good his voice sounds. Many also noted that they liked that he was looking forwards and making new music.
Auto-tune software on the BL? Seriously, I bet auto-tune is used on Never Cry Another Tear
While he has gotten technically better and more comfortable over time, Barney hasn't been terribly engaging or emotional in the last decade. Can't believe his recent acoustic vocals have gained him any new fans... rather boring, not his strength. I prefer the more awkward Power, Corruption, and Lies era for example.
Well I've just finished watching Age of Consent from their Academy 1987 performance on youtube and Barney sounds excellent on that, where as BL sounds a bit watered down to me.
Depends what you're after I suppose. Technical competance or sheer effort!
uh? Barney is more boring then ever, including that his lyrics are cheesier than ever... though I will say that "Sink or Swim" is one of the better single releases in the last decade for them.
0_o wrote: Auto-tune software on the BL? Seriously, I bet auto-tune is used on Never Cry Another Tear
While he has gotten technically better and more comfortable over time, Barney hasn't been terribly engaging or emotional in the last decade. Can't believe his recent acoustic vocals have gained him any new fans... rather boring, not his strength. I prefer the more awkward Power, Corruption, and Lies era for example.
Having used auto tune (Melodyne editor to be exact) I can usualy spot auto tune (even Michael Buble uses it) but I don't think there is much on NCAT, but I agree, though his tuning and tonality have got better, I prefer the more emotional tracks where he strugles with the vocals, age of consent and sunrise being good examples.
maybe its the auto-tune? 
I see no problem with his vocals, I actually enjoy a lot the songs in which he puts a lot of effort and it seems like he could lose his voice
that's singing with passion
He sounds a bit tired at WFTSC and fresh at NCAT. I think at NCAT the songs are more his, that's why he has a better voice.
well back in the day when he had Hannet asking him to do over 40 takes for procession, no wonder he sounded bored,,early days just starting out his vocals were growing up in public, who else did that ?.. quite liked krafty and waiting for the sirens call,part of his vocal appeal is that , could do better headmaster comment,, though thats just the way he wrote em.
listen,,
0_o wrote: Auto-tune software on the BL? Seriously, I bet auto-tune is used on Never Cry Another Tear
While he has gotten technically better and more comfortable over time, Barney hasn't been terribly engaging or emotional in the last decade. Can't believe his recent acoustic vocals have gained him any new fans... rather boring, not his strength. I prefer the more awkward Power, Corruption, and Lies era for example.
I think his vocals on the song Waiting for the Siren's Call, Turn, JET (yes, I know), Who's Joe", Sink or Swim, Twist of Fate, and Running Out of Luck are some of his best, most heartfelt and effective singing.
Zachery Starkey wrote:
0_o wrote: Auto-tune software on the BL? Seriously, I bet auto-tune is used on Never Cry Another Tear
While he has gotten technically better and more comfortable over time, Barney hasn't been terribly engaging or emotional in the last decade. Can't believe his recent acoustic vocals have gained him any new fans... rather boring, not his strength. I prefer the more awkward Power, Corruption, and Lies era for example.
I think his vocals on the song Waiting for the Siren's Call, Turn, JET (yes, I know), Who's Joe", Sink or Swim, Twist of Fate, and Running Out of Luck are some of his best, most heartfelt and effective singing.
Agreed mostly, but I still find Regret to be his "swan song". Something about the chorus and the Reading 93 performance.
michael preda wrote:
Zachery Starkey wrote:
0_o wrote: Auto-tune software on the BL? Seriously, I bet auto-tune is used on Never Cry Another Tear
While he has gotten technically better and more comfortable over time, Barney hasn't been terribly engaging or emotional in the last decade. Can't believe his recent acoustic vocals have gained him any new fans... rather boring, not his strength. I prefer the more awkward Power, Corruption, and Lies era for example.
I think his vocals on the song Waiting for the Siren's Call, Turn, JET (yes, I know), Who's Joe", Sink or Swim, Twist of Fate, and Running Out of Luck are some of his best, most heartfelt and effective singing.
Agreed mostly, but I still find Regret to be his "swan song". Something about the chorus and the Reading 93 performance.
Temptation 98 
Big Mouth Julio wrote:
michael preda wrote:
Zachery Starkey wrote:
0_o wrote: Auto-tune software on the BL? Seriously, I bet auto-tune is used on Never Cry Another Tear
While he has gotten technically better and more comfortable over time, Barney hasn't been terribly engaging or emotional in the last decade. Can't believe his recent acoustic vocals have gained him any new fans... rather boring, not his strength. I prefer the more awkward Power, Corruption, and Lies era for example.
I think his vocals on the song Waiting for the Siren's Call, Turn, JET (yes, I know), Who's Joe", Sink or Swim, Twist of Fate, and Running Out of Luck are some of his best, most heartfelt and effective singing.
Agreed mostly, but I still find Regret to be his "swan song". Something about the chorus and the Reading 93 performance.
Temptation 98
Both the Reading 98 one, and the "live" version for the games were amazing.
Oooh, Darkman the In A Lonely Place bore is back. Enlightening us all as ever.
As for Bernard's vocals his stuff on Age of Consent through Low-life/Brotherhood was really unique, sulky and pissed off in his own inimitable style. There weren't lots of other singers that sounded like him. From about 1989 to about '93 he sounded his technical best with tracks from Technique, the first Electronic album and Republic sounding incredibly polished. They perfectly suited the tunes they were recorded over; Regret is timeless in every respect.
I agree with the general consensus that he sounds better and happier on NCAT... no prizes guessing as to why. Also, just because his vocals sound more skilled now doesn't make them more boring. He was never going to sing a'la Age of Consent forever was he? There's some good efforts on the Bad Loot album in the form of Runaway and stuff like that...
I always thought Turn off WFTSC harked back to his late '80s singing in terms of style a little bit. Cracking choon.
Darkman wrote: Barney's vocals have always and will always be complete and total shit!
I disagree with that. You can't compare Bernard's voice to Ian's as I see cause their music sounds completely different after Blue Monday.
I agree that Bernard was awful live in early 80's but he improved a lot since Technique era. Reading 93 is my favorite New Order's performance ever!
Darkman wrote: Barney's vocals have always and will always be complete and total shit!
Christ... If the man wasn't cremated, you'd have dug him up by now.
I am one of those New Order fans who discovered Joy Division long after the fact. I always liked Barney's singing. I always thought the fragility of his voice mirrored the vulnerability of his lyrics. The very first time I heard Ian Curtis, I was shocked that this was the guy everyone said was so great. Don't get me wrong. I love Joy Division but they are somewhat of an acquired taste. I find Barney's singing is better now than ever, especially on the slower songs like Turn and Run Wild. He seems to understand how to use his register more. Ian Curtis is probably a better singer technically but his deep baritone kind of leaves me cold.
Darkman wrote: Barney's vocals have always and will always be complete and total shit!
Ians vocals are shit.
michael preda wrote:
Darkman wrote: Barney's vocals have always and will always be complete and total shit!
Ians vocals are shit.
"The holy voice of Ian Curtis" - Bono Vox, whose voice is shit 
annmuin wrote: I am one of those New Order fans who discovered Joy Division long after the fact. I always liked Barney's singing. I always thought the fragility of his voice mirrored the vulnerability of his lyrics. The very first time I heard Ian Curtis, I was shocked that this was the guy everyone said was so great. Don't get me wrong. I love Joy Division but they are somewhat of an acquired taste. I find Barney's singing is better now than ever, especially on the slower songs like Turn and Run Wild. He seems to understand how to use his register more. Ian Curtis is probably a better singer technically but his deep baritone kind of leaves me cold.
I agree with you and also discovered JD long after NO.
To me Bernard has always had soul in his vocals - no one sounds like him, and no one writes lyrics quite like him.
You've put it perfectly: "the fragility of his voice mirrored the vulnerability of his lyrics." And it's when you add this to the more-than-the-sum-of-its-parts contraption of the drums-bass-synth-Hookybass, you get the NO majesty.
Long may he sing.
Cheers
I agree with you and also discovered JD long after NO.
To me Bernard has always had soul in his vocals - no one sounds like him, and no one writes lyrics quite like him.
You've put it perfectly: "the fragility of his voice mirrored the vulnerability of his lyrics." And it's when you add this to the more-than-the-sum-of-its-parts contraption of the drums-bass-synth-Hookybass, you get the NO majesty.
Long may he sing.
Cheers
I like the fragility of Bernard's voice too. I like Ian's voice in his own way, and I like Bernard's voice in his own way as well.
Big Mouth Julio wrote:
michael preda wrote:
Darkman wrote: Barney's vocals have always and will always be complete and total shit!
Ians vocals are shit.
"The holy voice of Ian Curtis" - Bono Vox, whose voice is shit
You got me there Julio!
Sorry gang, not trying to hurt any feelings! I just don't like Barney's vocals, I think they are shit! His vocals are horrific live. I still liked early NO, pre-Electronic Dance music! It's just my opinion, nothing more, nothing less!
Darkman wrote: Sorry gang, not trying to hurt any feelings! I just don't like Barney's vocals, I think they are shit! His vocals are horrific live. I still liked early NO, pre-Electronic Dance music! It's just my opinion, nothing more, nothing less!
Hey, everyone is entitled to their opinion. :)
Just as long as you know you are wrong.
Major Tarantino wrote:
Darkman wrote: Sorry gang, not trying to hurt any feelings! I just don't like Barney's vocals, I think they are shit! His vocals are horrific live. I still liked early NO, pre-Electronic Dance music! It's just my opinion, nothing more, nothing less!
Hey, everyone is entitled to their opinion. :)
Just as long as you know you are wrong.
I would just like to thank you guys for not flinging any tomatoes at me for what I said earlier. I really thought I was in for it. Lol
The funny thing is though, to me the vocals (good or bad) are not the reason I like New Order anyway. It's the music. So as long as they don't completely spoil the songs (lyrics included!) I don't mind.
It's not like I'll listen to something like end of TPK and think I wish Hooky would stop playing his bass and let Barney sing some more.
Until around late 87, Barney's vocals were always hit and miss - he probably hadn't taken any lessons, and shows like Glastonbury 1987 demonstrate he hadn't quite mastered the art of breathing, timing, and pitch. The 1989 shows onwards are a lot stronger.
