>But I agree with Stewart....it's a bit unfair to judge an artist based on 
>an arbitrary 30-second clip.

Although anyone who is familiar with Status Quo's body of work will know 
that 30 seconds of one song is enough to sum up their entire 30-odd year 
career....

I do of course agree with the subjectivity in one's likes or dislikes with 
vocals. Some of my faves over the years - Neil Young, David Byrne, Tom 
Verlaine, E, Jermey Enigk, David Gedge don't exactly have mainstream voices, 
but they are at least singing in their natural voice - there's just 
something about Joanna Newsom (and Bjork for that matter) that is affected 
and quirky almost for the sake of it, and to my ears is almost as annoying 
as the countless "X" Factor and Pop Idol wannabees trying desperately to 
warble like Mariah Carey.