When I hear it it sounds like a strategy and not a style. I would guess it's to cover for the material. It sounds overly self conscious to me.
This reminds me of a joke. Q: Do you know how to make Bob Dylan laugh? A: Tell him about his "real, non-affected" singing voice.
Well for starters early on he was known for sounding like Woody Guthrie did when he visited him in the hospital. It was a great voice but he was known for affecting a bit for effect. What about Nashville Skyline?
Or a bit of Joanna Newsom, who has the raspy croak of a voice but generally sings with more verve than this style allows.
Here's a recent one along these lines, that orphan sound, I get it and like it. Someone recommended this gal on some other thread, I ended up supporting this singer, bought her record on Bandcamp: Tomberlin - Any Other Way
The visual equivalent would be “the look” a stylist gives a fashion no-hoper in one of those TV makeover shows where a mate writes in on behalf of their friend, and everyone wows at how cool they now suddenly appear,
I kept waiting for her to "take it to the bridge." Where is that confounded bridge? I can't even play guitar, but bet I could play that. So that's the "orphan sound?" If I adopt her, will she agree to stop singing?
This entire thread just sounds like a bunch of miserable old codgers getting together to complain about the young whippersnappers and yell at them to get off their lawns. Let people like what they like! If it's not for you, so be it - there are 27 million Beatles-related threads on here in which to invest your time. For what it's worth, I don't love this style either, but it doesn't stick in my craw that others do. I don't find it without style; it's just a style that's not really for me. (Of course, as my avatar will attest, I like Kylie Minogue so I'm sure I have zero credibility to most of you...) And before anyone gets offended, the above is all said in good humor (and a little resigned head-shaking).
I'm trying to think if it is really a "style" and not just those women's natural singing voice. I think the passive vocals sound OK with certain lyrics but they would definitely sound wrong with lyrics that are not introspective. Maybe not a good example but that type of vocal would sound dumb along with "Piece of My Heart". Janis had a great "mixed" vocal style.
