Just fodder for discussion, here is who sings what on Happiness and Disaster...
Don't Look in Their Eye's: Jesse
Habit: Chris
Kidding Ourselves: Jesse
Don't be So Cold: Jesse
Flawed Design: Jesse
Delivering Idiots: Jesse
Happiness & Disaster: Chris
Coffee Spills: Chris
Rain Awhile: Jesse
Ordinary: Chris
Beautiful Madness: Jesse
If It Was Up To Me: Jesse
Everybody: Jesse
Final tally:
Chris: 4
Jesse: 9
What do people think about the split? The Stabilo Boss Album had Jesse singing 5 songs, Chris 4, with Donovan being a split. There has definitely been a progression happening.
Chris does have the title
Chris does have the title track.
Either way.... all their songs are amazing. So just take it as it is... it's not a competition. IMO. :P
And on Cupid? Jesse did 5
And on Cupid? Jesse did 5 and Chris did 2.
We all knew this was happening.
I'm disappointed though, I like Chris' voice just as much as Jesse's.
How about Cupid?
What's the tally for Cupid?
I'm not surprised at all. Jesse has the great radio voice, strong tenor, and very saleable. His voice is more instantly likeable to new listeners. I'm a holdout fan of Chris, though, and I really appreciate some of the older work where he leads (Beautiful Madness, Fantasy)... I think we've been seeing this progression ever since Stabilo signed with EMI, and while it is a change, I think it's probably a change for the better.
chrisvs.jesse
I think it is understandable that the label would want the more "recognizable" voice of jesse on the singles. however, i think what makes stabilo unique is the fact that they have two singer/songwriters that are extremely talented in their own right, and stronger when put together. The album sounds cohesive and chris's lead vocals sound amazing. I love Coffee Spills and and the title track particularly...i think the mix of the two is the strength of the "stabilo" sound.
Chris v Jesse
My worst fear with regards to this album was that it would be all Jesse with maybe one track by Chris. I LOVE Jesse's voice, but one of the best things about the band is their versatility, part of which comes from having two singers rather than one.
If anything, I'm pleased that Chris has more than two (which was the count for the EP... and his voice was mixed weird to boot!). I love Chris' voice, I love his songs, and I'll stage a one-woman protest the day that he isn't featured as a lead singer.
I was reading up on Vertical Horizon, and the guy who plays lead guitar now used to be the lead singer... old fans found themselves in the same situation, wondering what was happening with him being "fazed out" and he responded by saying that the other guy (who is now in the role of the lead singer) was having a more prolific period of writing. Maybe this factors in to an extent? I mean, when did we first hear Ordinary? Steveston, 2002?
Of course some of has to do with marketing... if I personally HAD to choose, I'd say Chris. But I've been following the band since I was 16 when I was mesmerized by "Laughing Nervously". Robin is right... Jesse's voice is (along with his songs) perhaps more "radio-ready". I have huge problems with most radio stations, who dictate what is and isn't mainstream and readily available, but that's why I think the EMI releases have been geared somewhat to this.
I disagree with the "change for the better" comment, because the flaw lies not with the choices made by the band, but with radio demanding that bands change their sound and their style in order to fit into the melting pot that is the radio genre, and a group should have no obligation to change if that "better" is getting played on the radio. Particularly with internet evolving to provide an outlet for bands that do not adhere to the "rules" of radio. But that's a different rant. I also don't think that fans have the right to do that either. Of course, as fans, we can like or not like something, and be happy or disappointed... but I don't think we need to freak out and start protesting :). I'm too pleased with the album right now to complain.
- Sara
Cupid and the others
Cupid is 5 for Jesse and 2 for Chris.
Beautiful Madness is 2/2
Stabilo Boss is 5 Jesse 4 Chris and 1 shared (Donavan)
Kitchen Sessions is 2 for Jesse, 2 for Chris and 1 shared (Donovan)
It looks like it was an almost perfect split down the middle until they got signed.
None of it really bothers
None of it really bothers me. I find myself partial to Chris' lyrics and voice but my favourites on this CD have to be Don't Look in Their Eyes and Delivering Idiots. They're both insanely talented so you can't really lose.
I discussed this with Mat
I discussed this with Mat (hucklel3erry) when it came out. I really love both of them and I hope that Chris isn't phased out. I believe that I used the phrase "or else I will have to go kick the EMI execs in the balls" or something to that effect.
Robin, cupid? is 5 Jesse, 2 Chris
I think that both Jesse and
I think that both Jesse and Chris are extremely talented singers and songwriters and I really hope that they are not trying to phase Chris out! Jesse's voice can really draw you in and gets you hooked right away, but Chris's voice is a bit more raw, and I like that.
chris all the way!!!
chris all the way!!!
Hello
Excellent!!! !