Ed sounds his best since 2016

HailHailVitalogy

I’ve been diving back into the 2022 shows, and I have to say…he sounds way better than 2018, even 2013. I haven’t heard Ed hit those notes on Oceans or Wash in a long long time. I miss the days of him screaming through DTE and Blood, but slowing down some songs on last years tour that were already too fast, really benefited Ed. That said, I don’t think they needed to tune down some songs either.

BF25394

I also was very pleased with how he sounded in 2022 (and at Ohana in 2021). The main thing for me was that there was a long period where he had developed a weird affectation in his singing where he would turn a one-syllable word into a two- or three-syllable word with these odd almost glottal stops in mid-vowel-- the word "gone," previously sung as "gone," becomes something like "guh-hawn" with this affectation. (I wish there were an easier way to explain this in writing.) Anyway, at all of the post-pandemic shows I saw (three at Ohana and the first seven of 2022), that affectation was gone, hopefully for good.

josevolution

BF25394 said:

I also was very pleased with how he sounded in 2022 (and at Ohana in 2021). The main thing for me was that there was a long period where he had developed a weird affectation in his singing where he would turn a one-syllable word into a two- or three-syllable word with these odd almost glottal stops in mid-vowel-- the word "gone," previously sung as "gone," becomes something like "guh-hawn" with this affectation. (I wish there were an easier way to explain this in writing.) Anyway, at all of the post-pandemic shows I saw (three at Ohana and the first seven of 2022), that affectation was gone, hopefully for good.

Yep I totally know what you mean I couldn’t listen to him at all when he was doing that I’m hoping he doesn’t do it anymore! 

fall by the wayside

A big part of why he sounds better is they are now downtuning a lot of songs. He doesn’t need to strain to hit the notes as much. 

OfThePearl

I know exactly what you mean! He adds extra vowels in a single word. My brother says he can't listen to him because its so annoying.

It is an affectation I don't like either, but I'd still rather listen to Ed's voice than any other, anytime, anywhere.

* I saw those same shows you listed, plus MSG and Camden. It only got better, as a whole, 2nd leg. I didn't compare Ed's voice specifically, (guess I'd have to revisit the boots), but VERY pleased with the sound. Still brought to tears on Release...
And that's because of the vocal.

Sonic-Man

BF25394 said:

I also was very pleased with how he sounded in 2022 (and at Ohana in 2021). The main thing for me was that there was a long period where he had developed a weird affectation in his singing where he would turn a one-syllable word into a two- or three-syllable word with these odd almost glottal stops in mid-vowel-- the word "gone," previously sung as "gone," becomes something like "guh-hawn" with this affectation. (I wish there were an easier way to explain this in writing.) Anyway, at all of the post-pandemic shows I saw (three at Ohana and the first seven of 2022), that affectation was gone, hopefully for good.

I get what you mean and I agree with you. In the slower songs it’s more noticeable. 

Haven’t heard that song for quite some time but I remember I was really underwhelmed by Ed’s version of ‘drive’, mainly because of that.

to me it’s still his voice in 91-94 that had so much irresistible tension. That sort of singing was impossible to sustain, but that’s why I like going back to old bootlegs.

btw, Robert Smith sounded awesome during his last tour. As a singer myself, I have no clue how he does that especially with age being a factor.

deb1211

I really loved the 2022 shows. I thought Ed sounded fantastic in St Louis even with it being the 3rd night in a row. 

thomascbullock

It wasn’t just the downtuning on some songs, I think he genuinely sounded healthier. Jeremy from 2018 vs 2022 for instance is interesting because he didn’t bail out of the notes and make the audience sing quite so often.

And I think what downtuning does is get us songs we wouldn’t otherwise get. Sure, it takes a few seconds to get used to the Dissident riff, but it’s that or not Dissident at all, and I’d rather have it, personally.

RatherStarved

At least this thread is relevant to the music unlike the thread about his looks a few weeks ago.  

BF25394

btw, Robert Smith sounded awesome during his last tour. As a singer myself, I have no clue how he does that especially with age being a factor.

When I saw Neil Young a few weeks ago, I couldn't get over how he can still get way up into his upper register at age 78.

Bob Mayo on the keyboards Bob

fall by the wayside said:

A big part of why he sounds better is they are now downtuning a lot of songs. He doesn’t need to strain to hit the notes as much. 

Agree- seems like there’s not much left in the original keys 

lastexitlondon

Some of the down tuned songs sound very bad

BlueLedbetter

Down tune and play another 10 or 15 years or give it up 

I know what I'd pick

Spiritual_Chaos

Cant hear if something is downtuned

Ignorance is bliss

BF25394

Listening to this Missoula show, the vocal affectation I mentioned above is so prevalent. "Low-ho Li-height..."

Also funny because Ed jumbles two lyrics and ends up singing, "Can't see my snacks."

HailHailVitalogy

Dissident, Last Exit, and Go didn’t need to be tuned down.

2-feign-reluctance

That 2016 run, man, so fucking good. The entire band sounded amazing last year. They have such a good flow these days. 

bootlegger10

I know not live, but peak Ed is Leash, Daughter, Tremor Christ from albums.  Is I Got Id the last of original Eddie tone?

lastexitlondon

Pendulum was good tone wise

pjsyco

josevolution said:

BF25394 said:

I also was very pleased with how he sounded in 2022 (and at Ohana in 2021). The main thing for me was that there was a long period where he had developed a weird affectation in his singing where he would turn a one-syllable word into a two- or three-syllable word with these odd almost glottal stops in mid-vowel-- the word "gone," previously sung as "gone," becomes something like "guh-hawn" with this affectation. (I wish there were an easier way to explain this in writing.) Anyway, at all of the post-pandemic shows I saw (three at Ohana and the first seven of 2022), that affectation was gone, hopefully for good.

Yep I totally know what you mean I couldn’t listen to him at all when he was doing that I’m hoping he doesn’t do it anymore! 

Is it me or did he start this after they toured with Band of Horses? Ben, their lead singer, does the exact same thing, and I don’t think I remember Ed doing it as much until after they toured with them. 

mcgruff10

How does tuning down a song help ed sing better?  Seriously no clue.   Thanks.  

lastexitlondon

Lower notes saves him singing as high

Spiritual_Chaos

BF25394 said:

Listening to this Missoula show, the vocal affectation I mentioned above is so prevalent. "Low-ho Li-height..."

Also funny because Ed jumbles two lyrics and ends up singing, "Can't see my snacks."

Haha. Isnt that the essence of Eddie.

mcgruff10

lastexitlondon said:

Lower notes saves him singing as high

Ah that makes sense. Thanks Rob. Hope all is well.  

HailHailVitalogy

2-feign-reluctance said:

That 2016 run, man, so fucking good. The entire band sounded amazing last year. They have such a good flow these days. 

Yeah. 2016 they all sounded better than 2013. Post 2003 I’ll take Eddie 2010 > 2006 > 2016 > 2022 > 2013 > 2018

Slowing down State, Spin, Even Flow and GTF is the best thing they could have done, they were way too fast before last year. 

lastexitlondon

mcgruff10 said:

lastexitlondon said:

Lower notes saves him singing as high

Ah that makes sense. Thanks Rob. Hope all is well.  

Yes thanks my friend 

jasonw

Spiritual_Chaos said:

Cant hear if something is downtuned

Ignorance is bliss

Same 

Gern Blansten

BF25394 said:

I also was very pleased with how he sounded in 2022 (and at Ohana in 2021). The main thing for me was that there was a long period where he had developed a weird affectation in his singing where he would turn a one-syllable word into a two- or three-syllable word with these odd almost glottal stops in mid-vowel-- the word "gone," previously sung as "gone," becomes something like "guh-hawn" with this affectation. (I wish there were an easier way to explain this in writing.) Anyway, at all of the post-pandemic shows I saw (three at Ohana and the first seven of 2022), that affectation was gone, hopefully for good.

I always assumed it relates to a vocal coach he's using. 

josevolution

BF25394 said:

Listening to this Missoula show, the vocal affectation I mentioned above is so prevalent. "Low-ho Li-height..."

Also funny because Ed jumbles two lyrics and ends up singing, "Can't see my snacks."

I first noticed it in Fenway 16 bootleg I had to stop listening to it! Was so annoying when he sings like that 

jgregory89

There were a few shows in 2018 where he sounded phenomenal, like Rome and Wrigley night 2.  I agree though, he sounded great in 2022.