Ed's voice sounds different ; Is the change better or worse? Options

[Lively Chick]

I think his voice sounds so different. He totally lost the raw appeal his voice has or just doesn't want to bother. Maybe smoking damaged his cords?. He just doesn't blow like he use to. His pipes are now kinda weak, hiding behind more falsettos than usual.
I hope I'm wrong and he's just not inspired and just lazy cause then I would have some vocal tricks to look forward to on the next album after Black Mountain.
Man do I miss him doing that shaky voice thing he does so well, you know, like he does at the end of Meltdown "oh yeahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh"

[andthelettuce]

It could be the smoking (although I am not sure if this is still true or how much he smokes), or aging, or both. I think his voice sounds considerably worse on this album than on all of their others. However, in the recent shows I've seen, his voice has actually held up better through the entire show than it did in years past. I think it could be that they recorded the thing so fast that he didn't have time to go back and re-record a few rough lines here and there and figured it was fine the way it was.

[Lively Chick]

It could be the smoking (although I am not sure if this is still true or how much he smokes), or aging, or both. I think his voice sounds considerably worse on this album than on all of their others. However, in the recent shows I've seen, his voice has actually held up better through the entire show than it did in years past. I think it could be that they recorded the thing so fast that he didn't have time to go back and re-record a few rough lines here and there and figured it was fine the way it was.

Maybe, but I'll be listening at their show in NYC 5/11 and he better not dissapoint. Ahhh, who am I kidding, it's Ed, it's Live, i'll be too busy screaming my ass off and have a grand 'ole time.

[SJN1279]

Maybe, but I'll be listening at their show in NYC 5/11 and he better not dissapoint. Ahhh, who am I kidding, it's Ed, it's Live, i'll be too busy screaming my ass off and have a grand 'ole time.

I've seen him in concert 16 times. Only once has his voice struggled. If you compare recordings of old Live concerts to more recent concerts, I think Ed sounds better now. He has more control over his voice. Just a better sounding vocal overall.

[andthelettuce]

I'm not sure about better, but when I saw them on the V and BOP "tours," he would start sounding tired around the end of the main show and struggle through the encores. Now he's the iron man LOL.

[Lively Chick]

I've seen him in concert 16 times. Only once has his voice struggled. If you compare recordings of old Live concerts to more recent concerts, I think Ed sounds better now. He has more control over his voice. Just a better sounding vocal overall.

HUH? even on CD?

[seriakiLLa]

I liked Ed's voice the best in Mental Jewelry.

Some portions of Sofia reminds me of that voice, that's one reason I like the song.

[Gertjan]

Yes, he lost the raw edge of his voice which is replaced by a very clear tone. I think he improved his singing a great deal in the past few years, back in 2001 he could not reach nearly as low and high in concert. I believe he focusses more on his voice than he used to. Having a healthier lifestyle may matter but Ed used a throat spray between every song last week to keep it crisp. I like it, though I could do with less falsetto.

[+Ed+]

ED SMOKES?WTF?

[Maggie]

There is absolutely no difference in Ed's concert voice. I don't think it is a case of "losing" his voice, but I think for this album they went for a more restrained sound. I don't dislike this sound, just as long as he still lets rip during concerts.

His voice has changed over the years. but not for the worse. I think it's developed very nicely and there is no way that he can go back to the "raw edge" even if he wanted to.

[PhoenixDecay]

I think he can control his voice much better now...since he had vocal training, he'd progressed definately on a technical standpoint. If the control puts down the raw emotion, I don't really know.
For me there are pros and cons in both of the voices, and in the end it's a matter of taste and a question of fitting the song. And the songs he writes now are more suitable for his new voice.....Maybe that is the reason he writes pop songs now

[seriakiLLa]

I agree that Ed's voice has progressed technically speaking, meaning he can cover a lot more range with ease.

And it is indeed a matter of preference now. Otherwise, if it's all about technical capabilities, we would all be looking for sopranos and tenors. heh..

[sherocker]

ED SMOKES?WTF?

just to reasure u, he DOESN'T smoke anymore!! (apart from the old joint now and again i guess) he said it in an interview here on dutch tv a few weeks ago that it was affecting his singing! happy now?

[sherocker]

by the way, i agree with Gertjan, he lost his rough edges throughout the years! i love how he sings now!

[meridaye]

by the way, i agree with Gertjan, he lost his rough edges throughout the years! i love how he sings now!

I agree w/ you I love his voice. I haven't heard much of the new album, but I downloaded about 5 of the new songs from a concert and to be honest he sounded great as usual. Honestly, I didn't notice any sorta big difference maybe it's just me, but I've been a Live fan for 11 years and I think he sounds wonderful!! I'll listen to the new album (if it ever gets released and what's up w/ that anyway, sucks) and see if I can hear what's up. I'm going to the San Francisco show and I'm stoked!! If there's some kind of difference in his voice the concert will be the best place to notice but I doubt I'll even notice. I haven't seen them in geez, like 5 yrs and I used to go to any possible concerts I could around here.
So, It's been awhile since I've posted but, I'll be around alot more since I FINALLY got my laptop and all!!

Peace,
Meridaye