Post by avi on Mar 17, 2024 23:39:42 GMT
Ben Barlow (22 July 1994 - present)
Years Active: 2012 - present
Associated Acts: Neck Deep
Vocal Range: F2 - E5
{Vocal Summary}In the process of conducting research for this thread, I sat down with Ben Barlow for an interview about his vocal range. After the typical pleasantries, I asked the burning question: "How did your voice get so high in just five years?" He looked at me, took a quick sip from his helium balloon, and responded: "Practise. Lots and lots of practise."
Ben Barlow had one of the most inspiring vocal transformations in all of pop-punk. His early performances were gritty and emotive, acting as a force of cathartic energy for a once hot-tempered Neck Deep, and his range was impressive for a seemingly self-taught vocalist. However, he was known to falter in the live setting, making it clear that his vocal stylings were unsustainable and unpredictable. His consistency would quietly improve from 2012-2016, as he experimented more with mixed voice and more showcases of his clean lower register, although his raw delivery remained a hallmark. Starting in 2016, Ben's vocal tendencies began to shift, becoming more melodic and utilising healthier singing techniques, although nobody could have anticipated how quickly he would improve. By 2020, he was effortlessly belting D5s live in concert, and reaching crystal-clear E5s in the studio. Beyond the mastery of his mixed voice, he also improved his low range, reaching lower than ever before with impressive clarity. Due to this massive shift, Ben Barlow can be classified as one of pop-punk's grittiest and most powerful screamers, and one of its most consistent high-pitched belters, at the same time. Ben's journey of vocal mastery seems to have reached its peak, as his vocals have remained consistent since 2020, although at this point, him not surprising us would be more surprising than if he does.
Ben Barlow had one of the most inspiring vocal transformations in all of pop-punk. His early performances were gritty and emotive, acting as a force of cathartic energy for a once hot-tempered Neck Deep, and his range was impressive for a seemingly self-taught vocalist. However, he was known to falter in the live setting, making it clear that his vocal stylings were unsustainable and unpredictable. His consistency would quietly improve from 2012-2016, as he experimented more with mixed voice and more showcases of his clean lower register, although his raw delivery remained a hallmark. Starting in 2016, Ben's vocal tendencies began to shift, becoming more melodic and utilising healthier singing techniques, although nobody could have anticipated how quickly he would improve. By 2020, he was effortlessly belting D5s live in concert, and reaching crystal-clear E5s in the studio. Beyond the mastery of his mixed voice, he also improved his low range, reaching lower than ever before with impressive clarity. Due to this massive shift, Ben Barlow can be classified as one of pop-punk's grittiest and most powerful screamers, and one of its most consistent high-pitched belters, at the same time. Ben's journey of vocal mastery seems to have reached its peak, as his vocals have remained consistent since 2020, although at this point, him not surprising us would be more surprising than if he does.
{A Few Examples of His Voice (Through the Years)}Good showcase of where he started, messy vocals and all.
The most versatile vocal delivery from the early years. Does a good job showcasing how far he'd come since Rain in July.
Quintessential high-pitched Ben, proving how comfortable he's become with his high range.
Shows how different his low range sounds, but also how capable it is.
Basically the gold standard for Ben performances in the modern age.
The most versatile vocal delivery from the early years. Does a good job showcasing how far he'd come since Rain in July.
Quintessential high-pitched Ben, proving how comfortable he's become with his high range.
Shows how different his low range sounds, but also how capable it is.
Basically the gold standard for Ben performances in the modern age.
Significant High Notes:
E5 ("Little Dove", "Pushing Daisies", "Sonderland")
E♭5 ("Go Outside!", "Heartbreak of the Century", "It Won't Be Like This Forever", "Sort Yourself Out", "We Need More Bricks")
D5 ("Blank Pages", "Crushing Grief (No Remedy)", "Dumbstruck Dumbfuck", "Flagpole Sitta", "Gold Steps", "I Revolve (Around You)", "Little Dove", "Lowlife", "Smooth Seas Don't Make Good Sailors", "Staircase Wit", "Telling Stories", "This is All My Fault", "What Took You So Long?", "Zoltar Speaks")
C♯5 ("19 Seventy Sumthin'", "Empty House", "The Grand Delusion", "Happy Judgement Day", "Kali Ma", "Motion Sickness", "A Part of Me", "Sick Joke", "She's a God", "STFU", "Take Me with You", "They May Not Mean To (But They Do)")
C5 ("19 Seventy Sumthin'", "Beautiful Madness", "Damsel in Distress", "Heartbreak of the Century", "Lime St.", "Little Dove", "Lowlife", "Moody Weirdo", "Sort Yourself Out", "This is All My Fault", "Threat Level Midnight", "Torn", "What Took You So Long?", "What Did You Expect?" Wishful Thinking version, "When You Know")
B4 ("Crushing Grief (No Remedy)", "Damsel in Distress" demo, "Don't Wait", "Dumbstruck Dumbfuck", "Fall", "In Bloom", "Parachute", "
B♭4 ("All Hype, No Heart", "Boulevard of Broken Dreams", "Can't Kick Up the Roots", "Citizens of Earth", "Critical Mistake", "December (again)", "Go Outside!", "The Grand Delusion", "The Great Escape", "Happy Judgement Day", "Heartbreak of the Century", "Heavy Lies", "It Won't Be Like This Forever", "Juneau", "Kick It", "Meet You There 2.0", "She's a God", "Sort Yourself Out", "Telling Stories", "Torn", "We Need More Bricks", "What Did You Expect?" Rain in July version, "What Took You So Long?", "When You Know", "Where Do We Go When We Go", "Wish You Were Here", "Zoltar Speaks")
A4 ("Blank Pages", "Candour", "Crushing Grief (No Remedy)", "Damsel in Distress" Wishful Thinking version / demo, "Dear Maria, Count Me In" live APMAs 2016, "December", "Duality" Slipneck livestream, "Dumbstruck Dumbfuck", "Empty House", "Flagpole Sitta", "Gold Steps", "Growing Pains", "Head to the Ground", "Hit or Miss" live APMAs 2016, "I Couldn't Wait to Leave 6 Months Ago", "I Revolve (Around You)", "In Bloom", "Lego House" live APTV Studios 2016, "Losing Teeth", "Lowlife", "Mileage", "Moody Weirdo", "Motion Sickness", "Over and Over", "Rock Bottom", "The Rock Show" live APMAs 2016, "Say What You Want", "Serpents", "Silver Lining", "Smooth Seas Don't Make Good Sailors", "Staircase Wit", "Sweet Nothings", "Tables Turned", "Telling Stories", "They May Not Mean To (But They Do)", "Threat Level Midnight", "
G♯4 ("19 Seventy Sumthin'", "Beautiful Madness", "Don't Wait", "Fall", "The Grand Delusion", "Happy Judgement Day", "Hit or Miss" live APMAs 2016, "Kali Ma", "Kick It", "I Hope This Comes Back to Haunt You", "Meet You There 2.0", "NYLF x Neck Deep", "Parachute", "A Part of Me", "Serpents", "Sick Joke", "Sonderland", "Sort Yourself Out", "STFU", "Take Me with You", "What Did You Expect?" Rain in July version, "Where Do We Go When We Go")
G4 ("Boulevard of Broken Dreams", "Can't Kick Up the Roots", "Candour", "Citizens of Earth", "Critical Mistake", "Crushing Grief (No Remedy)", "Damsel in Distress", "Dear Maria, Count Me In" live APMAs 2016, "Don't Tell Me It's Over", "Go Outside!", "Gold Steps", "Head to the Ground", "Heavy Lies", "I Couldn't Wait to Leave 6 Months Ago", "I Revolve (Around You)", "It Won't Be Like This Forever", "Juneau", "Left Behind" Slipneck livestream, "Lego House" live APTV Studios 2016, "Lime St.", "Losing Teeth", "Moody Weirdo", "Pushing Daisies", "Rock Bottom", "Say What You Want", "Smooth Seas Don't Make Good Sailors", "Sweet Nothings", "Tables Turned", "This is All My Fault", "Threat Level Midnight", "Torn", "We Need More Bricks", "When You Know", "Wish You Were Here", "Zoltar Speaks")
Significant Low Notes:
F3 ("19 Seventy Sumthin'", "Beautiful Madness", "Grand Theft Autumn / Where is Your Boy" live Hot Topic HQ 2016, "The Great Escape", "Happy Judgement Day", "Heavy Lies", "Juneau", "Kali Ma", "What Took You So Long?", "Where Do We Go When We Go", "Wish You Were Here")
E3 ("Blank Pages", "Crushing Grief (No Remedy)" live acoustic, "Damsel in Distress", "Don't Tell Me It's Over", "Don't Wait", "Empty House", "Fall", "Gold Steps", "The Great Escape", "Left Behind" Slipneck livestream, "Lime St." Life's Not Out to Get You version / acoustic, "A Part of Me", "Serpents", "Silver Lining", "Sweet Nothings", "Tables Turned", "They May Not Mean To (But They Do)", "Threat Level Midnight", "What Did You Expect?" Wishful Thinking version, "Worth It", "Zoltar Speaks")
E♭3 ("19 Seventy Sumthin'", "Beautiful Madness", "Can't Kick Up the Roots" live acoustic, "Go Outside!", "I Hope This Comes Back to Haunt You", "It Won't Be Like This Forever", "Meet You There 2.0", "Torn", "When You Know")
D3 ("December", "Duality" Slipneck livestream, "Dumbstruck Dumbfuck", "Fast Car", "Head to the Ground" live acoustic, "In Bloom", "Juneau", "Left Behind" Slipneck livestream, "Little Dove", "Lowlife", "Staircase Wit", "Telling Stories", "What Took You So Long?" acoustic)
C♯3 ("Mileage", "NLYF x Neck Deep", "Serpents", "She's a God", "Sonderland", "Where Do We Go When We Go", "Worth It")
C3 ("19 Seventy Sumthin'", "Candour", "Flagpole Sitta", "Gold Steps", "Lego House" live APTV Studios 2016, "Lime St." acoustic, "Lowlife", "Moody Weirdo", "Rock Bottom", "Smooth Seas Don't Make Good Sailors", "Sweet Nothings", "Telling Stories")
B2 ("Crushing Grief (No Remedy)" live acoustic, "December", "Duality" Slipneck livestream, "Fall", "Fast Car", "Growing Pains", "Head to the Ground" live acoustic, "In Bloom", "Little Dove", "Parachute", "A Part of Me", "Quarry", "Sonderland", "STFU", "Take Me with You", "Wait and Bleed" Slipneck livestream)
B♭2 ("Can't Kick Up the Roots" live acoustic, "Critical Mistake", "Grand Theft Autumn / Where is Your Boy" live Hot Topic HQ 2016, "Heartbreak of the Century", "Heavy Lies", "It Won't Be Like This Forever", "Parachute", "Sort Yourself Out", "We Need More Bricks", "When You Know", "Wish You Were Here")
A2 ("December", "Empty House", "I Revolve (Around You)", "Rock Bottom", "They May Not Mean To (But They Do)", "This Beach is For Lovers (Not Lonely Losers)")
G♯2 ("The Grand Delusion", "I Hope This Comes Back to Haunt You", "Quarry")
G2 ("Candour", "Critical Mistake", "In Bloom", "Left Behind" Slipneck livestream, "Little Dove", "Moody Weirdo", "Pushing Daisies", "Rock Bottom", "This is All My Fault", "When You Know")
F♯2 ("Duality" Slipneck livestream, "Quarry", "She's a God", "Sick Joke", "Wait and Bleed" Slipneck livestream)
F2 ("What Took You So Long?")
..................................................
• Blue denotes falsetto and whistle passages.
• Italics denote non-melodic and spoken passages.
• Underlines denote obscured and background passages.
• Boldface denotes exceptionally good passages.
•
{Questionable Notes}A5 ("In Bloom" [1], "Take Me with You" [1][2])
G♯5 ("STFU" [2][4])
G5 ("Growing Pains" [1])
F5 ("Lowlife" [1], "Flagpole Sitta" [1])
D5 ("Critical Mistake" [4], "Losing Teeth" [2])
C5 ("Go Outside!" [2], "The Rock Show" live APMAs 2016 [1])
C3 ("Zoltar Speaks" [1])
A2 ("Mileage" [3], "Telling Stories" [3])
G2 ("Fast Car" [1], "Gold Steps" [3])
E2 ("Pushing Daisies" [5])
...................................................................
[1] Anacruses, short dips, or yelps that are too brief to be included.
[2] Notes with uncertain origin that cannot be confirmed to be the singer in question.
[3] Harmonies that may be implied by surrounding harmonies or instruments.
[4] Notes that may have been pitch-shifted.
[5] Harmonies that are too obscured to determine quality.
G♯5 ("STFU" [2][4])
G5 ("Growing Pains" [1])
F5 ("Lowlife" [1], "Flagpole Sitta" [1])
D5 ("Critical Mistake" [4], "Losing Teeth" [2])
C5 ("Go Outside!" [2], "The Rock Show" live APMAs 2016 [1])
C3 ("Zoltar Speaks" [1])
A2 ("Mileage" [3], "Telling Stories" [3])
G2 ("Fast Car" [1], "Gold Steps" [3])
E2 ("Pushing Daisies" [5])
...................................................................
[1] Anacruses, short dips, or yelps that are too brief to be included.
[2] Notes with uncertain origin that cannot be confirmed to be the singer in question.
[3] Harmonies that may be implied by surrounding harmonies or instruments.
[4] Notes that may have been pitch-shifted.
[5] Harmonies that are too obscured to determine quality.
{Album Ranges}Rain in July (2012): B2 - B4 - C♯5
A History of Bad Decisions (2013): E3 - G3 - A4
Wishful Thinking[1] (2014): G2 - B♭4 - D5
Life's Not Out to Get You (2015): G2 - B4 - D5
The Peace and the Panic (2017): G2 - C♯5
All Distortions are Intentional (2020): F2 - F♯2 - D5 - E5
Neck Deep[1] (2024): G2 - B♭2 - D5 - E♭5
...................................................................
[1] Albums with Seb Barlow credited as a backing vocalist. Seb Barlow and Ben Barlow's voices are virtually indistinguishable in high range; therefore, underlined high notes from this album cannot be determined to be Ben with 100% confidence.
A History of Bad Decisions (2013): E3 - G3 - A4
Wishful Thinking[1] (2014): G2 - B♭4 - D5
Life's Not Out to Get You (2015): G2 - B4 - D5
The Peace and the Panic (2017): G2 - C♯5
All Distortions are Intentional (2020): F2 - F♯2 - D5 - E5
Neck Deep[1] (2024): G2 - B♭2 - D5 - E♭5
...................................................................
[1] Albums with Seb Barlow credited as a backing vocalist. Seb Barlow and Ben Barlow's voices are virtually indistinguishable in high range; therefore, underlined high notes from this album cannot be determined to be Ben with 100% confidence.
Thanks to Electric Mami for help with some note clarifications!
