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JTO, Nov 1 at 10:47 AM EST   

heavy guitars, light female vocals

I'm looking for music with heavy guitars, but light, gentle, feminine female vocals (& no distracting male vocals). I like the idea of the contrast. Do any bands like this exist? Thanks for any forthcoming suggestions.
  Topic Outline
* RE: heavy guitars, light female vocals posted by Televiper on Nov 1 at 11:02 AM EST
  * RE: heavy guitars, light female vocals posted by JTO on Nov 1 at 6:27 PM EST
    * RE: heavy guitars, light female vocals posted by Televiper on Nov 1 at 6:56 PM EST
* RE: heavy guitars, light female vocals posted by semtex on Nov 1 at 5:14 PM EST
  * RE: heavy guitars, light female vocals posted by cottser on Nov 2 at 3:21 PM EST
* RE: heavy guitars, light female vocals posted by sierradeagua on Nov 1 at 6:34 PM EST
  * RE: heavy guitars, light female vocals posted by JTO on Nov 3 at 2:39 PM EST
* RE: heavy guitars, light female vocals posted by zypressenweg on Nov 2 at 10:34 AM EST
* RE: heavy guitars, light female vocals posted by ijwatson on Nov 4 at 4:07 AM EST
  * RE: heavy guitars, light female vocals posted by JTO on Nov 4 at 2:43 PM EST
    * RE: heavy guitars, light female vocals posted by ijwatson on Nov 4 at 4:47 PM EST
  Televiper Nov 1 at 11:02 AM EST RE: heavy guitars, light female vocals    
in direct response to the topic by JTO
Ume (pronounced: oo-may) might fit the bill. Just check out the Youtube video for The Conductor. I've been obsessed with these guys since I saw them live last week.
  semtex Nov 1 at 5:14 PM EST RE: heavy guitars, light female vocals    
in direct response to the topic by JTO
Try Mandylion by the Gathering.
  JTO Nov 1 at 6:27 PM EST RE: heavy guitars, light female vocals    
in response to the message by Televiper
Thanks for reminding me about Ume, Televiper. I've actually got 2 songs off their Urgent Sea album, & first came across them because they were compared to Sonic Youth. The new ep sounds more original, less "urgent" & more melodic. Love her green Fender Jazzmaster guitar in the video for The Conductor (would like a guitar like that myself...).
  sierradeagua Nov 1 at 6:34 PM EST RE: heavy guitars, light female vocals    
in direct response to the topic by JTO
The band that I have in my collection that best fits your description is Slot (not the Russian heavy metal band, but the 90's alt band out of Michigan). There last album, The Sweet Black Bear is, in my opinion, their best.

Others to take a listen to:

Miss Derringer
Gore Gore Girls
Detroit Cobras (some of their earlier albums have a male singer, but generally only for one or two songs. The later stuff is all female).
Noisettes (e-music has a band that goes by this name, but is not the British trio I am talking about. Doesn't help that the photo on the e-music page is for the British trio). They have two albums out: "What the Time, Mr. Wolf?" and "Wild Young Hearts." the second one is not quite as raucous as the first.

And, check out some of Holly Go Lightly's work. Her style is all over the board. Some very popish, others a more country sound (particularl the recent stuff with the Broke-offs), and others could be compared to the White Stripes w/ a female vocalist.

Bands that have the heavy guitar with a female vocalist (although I would not necessarily call their vocals light):

Love Me Nots
Long Blondes
Girl in a Coma
Die Mannequin (not on e-music).

Groups w/ light female vocals, that may not have the heavy guitar you are looking for:

Devil Doll
Thao and the Get Down Stay Down (much heavier guitar sound at her live shows than her records).
Honeyhoney (not on e-music)
Rykarda Parasol (solo act, describes her music as rock noire)
  Televiper Nov 1 at 6:56 PM EST RE: heavy guitars, light female vocals    
in response to the message by JTO
Yah, Urgent Sea is great but Sunshowers has them hitting a more inspiring and emotionally provocative stride. It's great watching them live. Lauren put everything she had into it despite the fact that only a handful of people showed up.
  zypressenweg Nov 2 at 10:34 AM EST RE: heavy guitars, light female vocals    
in direct response to the topic by JTO
try "the pink" + "live it down"

sorry, the songs move so much samples won't do it justice.
  cottser Nov 2 at 3:21 PM EST RE: heavy guitars, light female vocals    
in response to the message by semtex
Yup, definitely check out The Gathering. First band that came to mind.
  JTO Nov 3 at 2:39 PM EST RE: heavy guitars, light female vocals    
in response to the message by sierradeagua
@sierradeagua,
thanks for all your suggestions, I'll need some time check them all out (but I've already got a Rykarda Parasol album saved for later). (by the way the Noisettes have a catchy acoustic hit here in the UK with "Never Forget You")
@semtex,
sorry, but the vocals by the Gathering are too operatic for my taste. I'm looking (listening) for something "sweeter" in vocal sound.
@zypressenweg,
unfortunately Medicine don't have any albums on emusic available to me in the UK.
@Televiper,
downloaded the Sunshower EP & loving it.
  ijwatson Nov 4 at 4:07 AM EST RE: heavy guitars, light female vocals    
in direct response to the topic by JTO
My suggestions:

Boss Hog - Jon Spencer offshoot, well worth a crack
Ex-Girl - post-punk from the Far East (eclectic)
Queenadreenha - noisy, angry stuff (sort of early Yeah Yeah Yeahs-like)
Scott Niblett - very eclectic, some grungey, some just drums (very interesting - Kidnapped by Neptune a good starter)
Metric - more indie sounding but still rocking (see also Minipop for something similar)
Slot - really good single album
Spinnerette - ex-singer from Distillers, quite Queens of the Stone Age in parts (not surprising as she is married to Josh Homme)
The Bellrays - one of my all-time favourite bands. Think Arethra Franklin crossed with the MC5 - Hard, Sweet and Sticky the one to get
Invasion - fantastic twenty minute album with most tracks under 2 minutes - vocals either a love or hate thing
Bardo Pond - proggy stoner stuff, Ticket Crystals my favorite
Battle of Mice - only the split Jesu EP on emusic but worth gettintg their album from elsewhere (also see Made Out of Babies - same singer)
Otep - metal, one album on here

Hope that helps.
  JTO Nov 4 at 2:43 PM EST RE: heavy guitars, light female vocals    
in response to the message by ijwatson
Thanks ijwatson.
I know Ex-Girl (I'm into Japanese female vocals), Queen Adreena (their new album "Djin" just appeared on emusic - not downloaded any songs yet), & Bardo Pond (got most of their albums on CD inc. "Ticket Crystals"). Yeah, the Invasion album sounds interesting (saved for later). I'll have to check out the others.
  ijwatson Nov 4 at 4:47 PM EST RE: heavy guitars, light female vocals    
in response to the message by JTO
Hey JTO, no problem. Thanks for the Queenadreena tip - didn't know they had a new one out.
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