Singers with shaky singing voice

There was a time in the music history when the concentration of music groups with shaky singing voice singers was overwhelming and I miss their existence a little in my weekly discoveries. There was something in them that transmitted fragility, tears, joy… Emotion, indeed, and above all the sensation of listening not only to singing, but also to performing (although sometimes it may sound shrill).

For me, the peak of this musical trend “invented” by Neil Young with his hesitant vocal style perfected by Jello Biafra or Robert Smith and their, to put it somehow, wobbly voice, took place between 2004 and 2007 (at the same time that emo was triumphing in rock), although many of the bands I have chosen already had a long career behind them and continued releasing albums during the following years (still active in 2024). Which means that maybe that period of time coincided with the moment when I was listening to them and maybe before and after there were hundreds of similar bands that I have not been able to know.

As always, below I leave you a playlist with the songs that I like the most from these groups or singers with shaky voices (without autotune) and then my favorite bands of the time. Some of them, as you will read, share vocalists or other members of the band.

List of bands with singers with shaky voice, wobbly vocal style or wavering

Modest Mouse

Modest Mouse, the band led by Isaac Brock, is one of the longest-running (and still active) bands on the list. A benchmark for introspective indie rock, Brock’s shaky voice is a hallmark that adds a vulnerability that perfectly matches the bittersweet lyrics of most of the group’s songs, often related to existential despair, uncertainty and the contradictions of modern life.

Their most emblematic album (and my favorite of their career), Good News for People Who Love Bad News (2004), includes the hit “Float On,” which stands out not only for its upbeat rhythm, but also for Brock’s signature vocals, a mix of babbling, screaming and wavering tones that bring the lyrics to life, but on the playlist you can also find “Ocean Breathes Salty,” “The World At Large” or “Dashboard.”

Bright Eyes

Conor Oberst, the soul behind Bright Eyes, is probably one of the most representative examples of the wavering vocal style. His voice fluctuates between absolute fragility and moments of raw desperation, which gives his music a deeply emotional character.

On the album I’m Wide Awake, It’s Morning (2005), these sudden changes can be heard in songs like “First Day of My Life”, where tenderness and vulnerability are reflected in every phrasing. Oberst channels melancholy and existential doubts in a way that makes each word feel like a personal confession, a trait that defines both his work in Bright Eyes and in his other projects.

Other samples that you will find in the playlist are “Bells and Whistles” (released in June 2024), “Road to Joy,” “Old Soul Song (for the New World Order),” “Lua,” “Persona Non Grata” or “We Are Nowhere and it’s Now”.

Wolf Parade

Canadian band Wolf Parade, with key figures in this style of singing such as Dan Boeckner and Spencer Krug alternating on vocals, is an example of how the wobbly voice can heighten the emotional intensity of a song. Boeckner brings a more direct and strident voice, while Krug gathers his vocal lines in more ethereal and wavering ways.

The album Apologies to the Queen Mary (2005) is a perfect example of how both vocal styles complement each other, with songs such as “I’ll Believe in Anything,” “Shine a Light,” or “Modern World,” where the voices not only narrate the lyrics, but also perform them with an almost palpable desperation.

CocoRosie

Sisters Bianca (Coco) and Sierra (Rosie) Casady, better known as CocoRosie, brought a whole new dimension to indie with their mix of folk, electronica and opera, fused with dreamlike lyrics and fragile vocals. Bianca, in particular, has a vocal style that seems to be bordering on amateurish, with a shaky tone that intertwines with the unusual rhythms and lo-fi production arrangements.

This unusual approach is part of what makes CocoRosie so fascinating: their music always seems on the verge of falling apart, but it works as a whole, generating a bittersweet and deeply emotional atmosphere in songs like “Noah’s Ark,” “Beautiful Boyz,” “Lemonade” or “Werewolf.”

The Spinto Band

Although The Spinto Band didn’t reach the level of fame of some of their contemporaries, their youthful energy made them an essential part of the mid-2000s indie scene with a virtual One Hit Wonder.

But how could I not mention them, when all of their tracks feature vocal styles that often sound as nervous and hesitant as the voices we associate with adolescence. Songs like “Oh Mandy” from the album Nice and Nicely Done (2005) demonstrate their ability to balance energy and excitement with a hint of vocal instability, adding layers of emotion to their playful songs.

Anohni

Anohni is one of the most unique vocalists of her generation. Her trembling voice, combined with her unusual vocal range, creates a deeply moving mix of fragility and power.

Anohni has spoken openly about the importance of vulnerability in her music, and this is evident in her work with both Antony and the Johnsons and in her solo career. Her album I Am a Bird Now (2005) is an ode to identity and transformation, with her trembling voice at the centre of it all, navigating between pain, hope and resignation.

Manos de topo

This Spanish band Manos de topo is known for the distinctive voice of its vocalist, Miguel Ángel Blanca, which many describe as a mix of lament and crying. His exaggerated style, which parodied the romantic song genre with ironic themes based on failures, often divides opinions, but there is no denying that there is an authentic vulnerability in his singing that few can replicate.

In songs like “Es feo,” “Mentirosa,” “El cartero” or “Morir de celos,” Blanca’s tearful voice is intertwined with lyrics full of sarcasm, humor and sadness, creating a unique and memorable listening experience.

Interpol

Paul Banks, Interpol’s vocalist, is known for his gravelly, somewhat shaky voice, which fits perfectly with the post-punk revival that the band made its name on.

On their most influential record, Turn on the Bright Lights (2002), Banks mixes the severity of the baritone voice with moments of vulnerability that manifest in subtle tremors at the end of certain phrases, such as on the song “NYC.” This vocal approach, while less extreme than others on this list, still adds a layer of emotionality and authenticity to the darkness of Interpol’s music.

Destroyer

The prolific Dan Bejar is the mastermind behind Destroyer. His voice is a reflection of the emotional vulnerability he conveys in his lyrics, which are often poetic and surreal. On the album Destroyer’s Rubies (2006), Bejar exploits that shaky tone of voice that often sounds like he’s on the verge of emotional breakdown.

His voice, though soft and melodic, displays a nervousness that makes each word seem loaded with meaning.

Clap Your Hands Say Yeah

Alec Ounsworth, vocalist for Clap Your Hands Say Yeah, has a voice that is almost impossible to ignore. His singing style, somewhat similar to that of Nick Krill of The Spinto Band, helped the band stand out in the crowded indie scene of the mid-2000s.

On their self-titled debut album (2005), songs like “The Skin of My Yellow Country Teeth” feature a mix of off-key and quavering that, far from detracting, add an emotional urgency to the music.

Swan Lake

I conclude the list with Swan Lake, the Canadian supergroup formed by Dan Bejar (Destroyer), Spencer Krug (Wolf Parade, Sunset Rubdown) and Carey Mercer (Frog Eyes), three musicians with very distinctive vocal styles, but all of them wavering.

The contribution of each of them to the band brings a unique layer of shakiness and vocal fragility. On their album Beast Moans (2006), the voices of Bejar and Krug in particular, with their wavering and often erratic style, provide an emotional depth that may sound chaotic, but is full of nuance.