BSB voice review

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However, while it is true that Kevin often provides the deep, rich resonance of the Backstreet sound, it becomes clear during his solos that he is more of a baritone than a bass. He seems to have a natural range of about an octave and a half, possibly two, though I wouldn't be surprised to find that his range is a bit larger. He has a tendency to sing well out of the bass range most of the time, turning in performance after performance primarily in the baritone range. He is capable of singing much lower than his natural range, however. </div> <bR> <div> With regard to vocal range, many singers have a "false range", commonly called a "falsetto". Usually thought of as being primarily higher than the natural range, a falsetto can also be lower than the natural range. Kevin seems to have a lower falsetto, which he may be using to produce those deep, resonant notes so many people mistake for a bass range. </div> <bR> <div> Kevin's voice is smooth, calm, sincere, very soothing, and possesses a quiet, sometimes sultry, passion that becomes obvious to anyone who pays attention. I often find that, no matter how stressed or upset I may be, Kevin's voice has the power to relax or calm. Of the five, his is one of my favorite voices. It is a comfortable voice, and a comfortable range, both for listening and for singing. Even tenors like myself find Kevin's range to be comfortable to sing in. His voice is very easy to harmonize with, regardless of whether he's singing in his upper or lower range. Because of this, singing with Kevin would be a treat for any vocalist. His voice is the foundation, or the "backbone" if you will, of Backstreet's collective sound. </div> <bR> <div> Kevin never comes in off-key… at least, not that I have ever heard. Perhaps this is due in part to the fact that he sings and plays by ear, rather than by reading music, which necessitates closer attention to detail. If you listen closely to Kevin, especially during acapella performances, you'll hear an underlying vibrato that is never too little or too much, though you can feel his voice resonating through you as well as around you. Kevin is capable of more volume than he normally uses, and if he should ever choose to use that increased volume, could most certainly rock any stadium down. </div> <bR> <div> With regards to vocal style, I could easily see Kevin in a few other musical formats, such as country, folk, rock, or even heavy metal, if he ever decided to branch out in any of those directions. Kevin's voice lends itself to lead vocals as well, and I would love to hear him do much more of that. His is a strong voice, that has mellowed over the years, and that is a quality that makes for incredible lead vocals. </div> <bR> <div> Kevin's 'trademarks' have more to do with his mannerisms and body language than with his vocal styling, though I seriously doubt that anyone that has heard him sing would mistake his voice for anyone else's. Some of his 'trademarks' include touching his finger to his nose when singing, and raising his pinky finger when he holds a microphone. He always keeps time either with his leg or tapping his hand on his leg, though many times his fingers rise and fall on the microphone to keep time. He always removes his earpiece once he starts his solos, preferring to hear himself in the monitors instead. </div> <bR> <div> It is easy to see and hear, to the keen observer, the exact moments when Kevin enters "the zone", when the music and the performer become one. His expressiveness, both facially and vocally, readily convey the emotions behind the music. When he performs, he is intense, though he never makes it look like work. </div> <div>  </div> <div> <B>Howie Dorough - The Backstreet Wings</b></div> <bR> <div> You guessed it, another tenor! Howie's vocals are beautiful, though often airy, especially on the slower ballads. While this does help convey the emotions and meaning of the song, I think Howie is very much capable of rocking the house down, should he choose to project a bit more. </div> <bR> <div> He is very capable of increased projection, and this becomes apparent when Howie soars into his falsetto range, executing notes that usually belong to Soprano voices, with skill, accuracy, and volume. One thing is very certain… hitting such high notes in a falsetto voice requires much control, much projection, and lots of air. Speaking from experience here, this is not something that can be done well if any of the above elements are weak or lacking, and can be even more difficult to do after all that dancing. Howie consistently demonstrates his prowess and skill in those extremely high falsetto ranges, nailing notes that many tenors wouldn't even attempt. </div> <bR> <div> Howie's voice, I think, is the "wings" of the Backstreet sound, lifting it up closer to the skies, where it can soar. His vocals add more dimension to the Backstreet sound, catching the ear of the listener and pulling them further into the song. His attitude is often playful, and that's reflected in his vocal styling. </div> <bR> <div> Howie is definitely a showman, and can do well in almost any setting or format. He is very capable of adding to any harmony, and can take almost any lyric and make it his own. His voice has the unique quality of finding a comfortable place with most any style of music, and that attests to his versatility. </div> <bR> <div> Howie's voice also lends itself easily to the duties of lead vocals, especially in the slower, more romantic ballads. There is an intimacy inherent in his voice that draws the listener in, and holds their attention. This intimacy brings forth feelings of romance in the listener, especially when coupled with romantic lyrics. His voice makes the listener believe every word he sings, while exuding an almost subliminal passion. This quality brings mystery and intrigue into play for the listener… which in itself is no easy feat. It has often been said that ballads can make or break a singer, and this is indeed true. Ballads are much more difficult to perform, and require not only a deep emotional understanding of the song, but the ability to stay on key, interpret the meaning of the song, and hold the audience's attention all at once. Something Howie seems to have a natural ability to do. </div> <bR> <div> Many of his trademarks, like the other members, are more along the lines of mannerisms and body language than vocal styling. These include his frequent winks, his ever present smile, and his fluidity of movement. He enjoys performing, and that also shows through in his vocal delivery. </div> <div>  </div> <div> <B>Brian Littrell - The Backstreet Conscience</b></div> <bR> <div> Definitely another tenor. He easily has a two-octave range, if not more. His vocals are graceful, with a gentle, easy energy that's very soothing. His vocals can be a little airy, though he often uses this quality to help convey the meaning of the song. His style is completely natural, coming from deep within, and that accentuates his sincerity. Though he isn't as dramatic a performer as AJ, he is no less effective. He has the ability, through the use of his voice and its calm, soothing quality, to put any listener instantly at ease. </div> <bR> <div> Brian's vocal style lends itself to many different musical formats, which attests to his versatility. I could easily see him branching out into folk, country, or R&B… even gospel… should he decide to try those styles out. </div> <bR> <div> Like his cousin Kevin, Brian's voice lends itself to smooth as silk harmonies, blending equally well with Kevin's rich baritone, or AJ's soulful tenor. Singing with Brian would be a pleasure for any vocalist that enjoys harmony. When Brian sings, he puts his heart and soul into it, though like his cousin, never makes it look like work. </div> <bR> <div> Brian often ends up soaring into the rafters, hitting the highest notes with skilled precision. I find it fascinating to watch him at these times, as you can see the sheer will and focus that he pulls from within to nail those notes. He exhibits very good breath control, especially apparent in his ability to hold those long notes, even while dancing. </div> <bR> <div> Another 'trademark' of Brian's is his tendency to close his eyes when he sings, which to me, is a visual testament to his passion for the music, and his understanding of the emotions the songwriter must have been feeling. Brian's professionalism consistently shines through, as does his desire to connect with the audience. He's constantly pointing at various fans in the audience, and giving them a smile or a wave. </div> <bR> <div> If Kevin's voice is the "backbone" and AJ's voice is the "soul" of the Backstreet sound, then Brian's voice is the "conscience" of the sound, conveying the deep emotion of the song, with the soothing calmness of a familiar friend. His voice is always a reassuring tone, even when singing about love gone wrong, and it lifts the spirit of the listener to new heights of confidence and joy. Vocally, Brian "balances" the sound, without loosing his individuality. </div> <div>  </div> <div> <B>AJ McLean - The Backstreet Soul</b></div> <bR> <div> AJ is most definitely a tenor. He has a wide vocal range of at least two octaves. His is a distinctive voice, with a very sultry, sometimes smoky R&B style. Even when he's singing up there "in the rafters", he exercises great control over his voice. It's those high notes, after all, that truly test a vocalist's control and precision. </div> <bR> <div> But when he brings his voice closer to Earth, it has the power to wrap around your soul and make you feel the song. AJ's voice is a finely tuned instrument, and as such, easily expresses his mood. Even when he's singing quietly, he remains on-key, with near perfect control. </div> <bR> <div> AJ's ability to ad-lib and perform vocal acrobatics is key to the "soul" of the Backstreet sound, and has become one of his most notable trademarks. When he sings, he pulls from deep within himself, giving the audience all he has to give. You can feel the vibrato of his voice resonate all around you, and he pulls you into the song instantly. </div> <bR> <div> There is a great deal of raw power in AJ's voice, which becomes very evident in live performances. He is also capable of some fine harmony, as he demonstrates often. Go back and listen to "I Want It That Way", "Shape of My Heart" and "Drowning", paying attention to the harmony between Kevin and AJ. These two voices… the "soul" and the "backbone" of the Backstreet sound… blend effortlessly together, producing harmonies as smooth as silk. </div> <bR> <div> Some of AJ's 'trademarks' are vocal, others are more in the realm of body language. His moves are sensual, his attitude playful. AJ knows how to work an audience, and he does so with genuine enthusiasm. Vocally, he moves seamlessly from the quiet passion of a tender ballad, to the near growl of "Get Another Boyfriend". He is a total performer, equally at ease when singing, dancing, acting, or speaking directly to the audience. </div> <div>  </div> <div> <B>Nick Carter - The Backstreet Heart</b></div> <div> Many people would argue that Nick is yet another tenor. While he was a tenor in his earlier years, his voice has changed and matured over time. Truth be told, Nick is now a baritone, though he still retains a higher range, which he uses almost exclusively. Most likely, his natural range is on the higher end of the baritone range, with a falsetto range that goes into tenor. While I enjoy Nick's voice a great deal, I would love to hear more of his lower range, because his lower range has much more resonance and richness. </div> <bR> <div> In my opinion, one of Nick's best vocal performances to date is from the Millennium album. "I Need You Tonight" is an awesome song, and Nick communicates the complex emotions of that song excellently. He uses more of his natural, lower range on this song, and he sounds great! It is the combination of Nick's vocal skills and his communication of the song's deeper meanings that has made this one of my favorite performances. </div> <bR> <div> Nick has a tendency to use more emotion when he's communicating a song's meaning. Communicating the emotions and meanings behind the lyrics of a song can be a tricky thing, indeed. Too much emotion and you can come off as too rehearsed. Too little emotion and you can make yourself appear insincere. Nick deserves much credit for being able to walk this fine line well. This is a skill that only comes with age and experience usually, and though he's much more skilled in this regard than his years would suggest, with the passage of time, he will no doubt hone this skill even more. Being able to interpret a song vocally, and convincingly communicate what the songwriter was feeling, is a key element to the making of a great vocal performance. Nick, as far as this writer is concerned, is one of the best vocal interpreters out there today. </div> <bR> <div> Nick's voice, as good as it is, is still a work in progress. I can only imagine how he will sound 5 years from now, because a singer's voice tends to "mellow" more with each passing year. This, I feel, is something to look forward to as we watch his career progress. Despite his talent, skill, and experience, Nick's vocal prowess will only improve with time. He has unlimited potential, and a good deal of raw power with which to work. </div> <bR> <div> Again, many of Nick's trademarks are more along the lines of mannerisms than vocal style. Though, like the rest of his band mates, Nick's voice can not easily be mistaken for anyone else's. Some of those trademarks include his seemingly boundless energy, a playful demeanor, and the ability to make any audience rise to its feet and dance. </div> <bR> <div> While we have the "backbone", "soul", "conscience", and "wings" of the Backstreet sound with Kevin, AJ, Brian, and Howie, respectively… Nick's vocal role is sometimes a little more readily seen. Nick's voice, I feel, is the "heart" of the Backstreet sound… and his heart is most definitely in every song he sings. </div> <bR> </td> </tr></table></body>