03. Now’s the only time I know - Fever Ray (Karin Dreijer-Andersson; Fever Ray, 2009)

We’re entering my top 3 female vocalists of all time. Naturally, this means it’s time to get haunted. These are the voices that drown a thousand blue days. It’s true, I get the blues, too.

Up first is Karin Dreijer-Andersson, also known as Fever Ray and one half of the Swedish electronica powerhouse, The Knife. If my life was a movie, I’d want Karin to sing on the soundtrack, especially the part where it gets Blue Velvet-esque. She can narrate my dreams, my torrid, bloody dreams, in muted colours and slow motion. Her male alter-ego voice can be my animus. She’d envelope me with that tearful, wise, yet distinctly pouty sound emanating from somewhere deep in space - between my ears or above my head. I can then dance until I lay down.

As Fever Ray: Keep the streets empty for me (Fever Ray, 2009)

With The Knife:  Heartbeats (Deep Cuts, 2003)

Pass this on (Deep Cuts, 2003)

Marble House (Silent Shout, 2006)

With Röyksopp: This must be it (Junior, 2009)

{My 50 ALL-TIME FAVOURITE FEMALE VOCALISTS list continues (tagged Female Vocalists)! The criteria are simple: they are female of the species, I love their voice, and they have attempted to sing in English at one point in their career. The present list is focused mostly on the quality/uniqueness of their tone (voice box), and their ability to emote the hell out of the songs.}

07. Look for me (I’ll be around) (Sarah Vaughan cover) - Neko Case (Blacklisted, 2002) (via)

It was so hard to place the next 3 artists’ vocals in order since I basically love them all equally. But, rank I must, if only on principle that ties are lame. So the first to appear is Neko Case, who has probably the prettiest, lushiest, most syrupy voice on the list that doesn’t belong to Shirley Manson. Her specialty is storytelling, and she spins some pretty epic, hypnotic tales only her voice could caress into form. She’s found great success in her career path separate from The New Pornographers (much to my approval). Her solo work allows her to really dig deep into that vast, depressing landscape of the wounded songstress she so readily owns.

Having many favourite Neko Case vocal performances means it’s tough to pick just one song to showcase her voice. But seeing it’s my list and I’ll do what I want with it, here are a few favourites:

So gosh darn womanly sexy.

etc.

{My 50 ALL-TIME FAVOURITE FEMALE VOCALISTS list continues (tagged Female Vocalists)! The criteria are simple: they are female of the species, I love their voice, and they have attempted to sing in English at one point in their career. The present list is focused mostly on the quality/uniqueness of their tone (voice box), and their ability to emote the hell out of the songs.}

Black Jack Davey (Bob Dylan cover) - The White Stripes (Seven Nation Army Single, 2003)

The White Stripes loved to cover Bob Dylan who loved himself some traditional folk songs. So boss. Is that how you say it?

(Song link via The Good, The Bad, and The Unknown)

Part of CKBT’s White Stripes retrospective month: Everyday until March 5th, a White-Stripes track (A or B-side) will appear by magic to remind you how singularly talented they were.

Baby Be Mine - Quadron

One more song for V-Day—a sexy/soulful live cover of the Michael Jackson song by Danish band Quadron.

(Song link via kickinthepeanuts)

On Melancholy Hill (BBC Radio 1 Live Lounge) - Gorillaz