DawgTalkers.net Forums DawgTalk Tailgate Forum Best Singer/Songwriter in past 20 years?

As a huge fan of lyrics I was thinking since 1990 who should be considered the best songwriter of these past 20 years. I came to the conclusion that the person who I think has been the best is Eddie Vedder. I actually think that this guy needs to put in the same category as in the Bruce Springsteen and Neil Young type as one of the best of all time. His newer stuff IMO matches up with the best stuff released in a long long time lyrically.

Everyone knows his amazing collection with Pearl Jam but some of his solo stuff is more amazing IMO.

Here is some of the stuff that stands out to me. Some of it is off of his Into the Wild soundtrack. Just Breath is his newest release.


Just Breath


Society


Guranteed


Of course this is my opinion I just wanted some thoughts on this. Is he the best singer/songwriter thats emerged in the past 20 years....if not then who should have that title and why?

matt bellamy

Kevin Barnes

Josh Ritter or Ryan Adams.

If someone said Vedder was the best, I wouldn't argue ...

... not sure I'd pick him, necessarily. Not sure I wouldn't, either.

When I think singer/songwriter, I think best material stripped down to the bone, to the point where a talentless hack could roll it out and it would sound good.

Many of Vedder's song fit that description, many are enhanced by a good supporting cast.

Neil Peart, well,...maybe 30 years.

Diane Warren. Pretty much wrote songs for everyone.

David Foster/Peter Cetera. For Chicago, but also for solo stuff and EWF.

Barry Mann/Cynthia Weil. For James Ingram and others.

Gloria Estefan.

And even James Ingram himself.

Matt Maher.

John Mayer.

Diane Warren made me think of Diana Krall. Does she write her own stuff or is she just a (most wonderful, btw) performer ?

To be honest, I haven't paid a lot of attention to pop/rock music over the last 20 years, and I'm assuming that is the type of singer/songwriter you're looking for. I'm one of those old grouches that think rock 'n roll has pretty much run its course. I guess if you put a gun to my head, I'd choose Rob Thomas, since I liked "Smooth" a lot and because Matchbox Twenty was one of the few bands I liked from the 90's.

Overall though, I'd say Toby Keith ... he's had about 15-20 #1 hits, and country music seems to be where all the musicians went, imo.

Hard to say IMO....., Vedder'd be a good choice I suppose, although I'm not a huge fan of Pearl Jam. There's not one that really stands out to me.
Does Bono write most of U2's stuff, or it it more of a collaborative effort?

Come on....someone had to do it.

Vedder is a good choice.

Mine would be: Art Alexakis, Everclear









Other favorites not listed: Buy you a new life, Amphetamine, Sunflowers

Vince Gill

He can wail on the accordian too.

I guess since somebody opened up Country here is mine. You guys probably wont know any of them, but here goes.

Willy Bruan (Reckless Kelly).





Micky Braun (Micky and the Motorcars)



Ben Nichols (Lucero) OK so maybe he did not get the singer part of singer/ songwriter, but I still like him.








Good luck! You won't hear that stuff on the sunday countdown....Probably for good reason i guess.

Lyle Lovett

Without a doubt, this guy.













Might be his only video I can show on here.

Love some Lyle!

I think to my estimation that the most insightful band and thoughtful band ive heard in my lifetime (im 24 so that fits the last 20) are the Avett Brothers.

Now...its not a single songwriter, theres 2 of em...but I think theyre amazingly insightful and are becoming more and more visible...to the point i heard a song of theirs on a commercial for a tv show (something on TNT i think)

Theyre a bit bluegrassy and acoustic and adding more commercial sound, but im a huge fan and theyre my favorite right now and its because theyre fun sounding and their lyrics are more insightful than ive heard from any band in recent years.

Title Track from their most recent album I and Love and You



Laundry Room on Craig Ferguson




Older Tune If Its The Beaches



Distraction #74





Those songs are mostly soft, they have other upbeat stuff as well

I think theyre super insightful and are getting more famous which i think is great because I love their music and its great that other people are getting to know them and want to hear them.

It does make a little sad because ive seen them 5 times now live (in NY and theyre from NC which is awesome) and the crowd is a very fun group. Everyone knows all the songs and all the words which is so much fun...as they get more famous, theyll play less personal shows i think which would be sad.

but...i cast my vote for them as best songwriters

I find it laughable,when talking about singer/songwriters,you post a video of Lovett and John Hiatt,then mention Lovett and ignore John Hiatt.
John Hiatt has written some of most beautiful songs,and some of the most downright strangest songs of any generation.

jc...

Not saying that they're the best or anything, but two guys whose stuff I've enjoyed thoroughly over the last few years:

Rocky Votolato


Jeremy Chatelain (Cub Country)
www.myspace.com/cubcountry (click on the 'albums' thing in the music player and listen to High Uinta High).