Hold Me

[David]

Lindsey's use of the speed oscillator in the studio perhaps has a basis in his fondness for the vocals on old tracks from the 1950s & early '60s, when the doo-wop groups were big. Those groups frequently treated backup vocals at the extreme ends of the range spectrum for men: high alto & baritone, & even falsetto soprano.

Whenever I think about what Lindsey is trying to do on a record or why he is trying to do it, I remind myself of the musical styles from his younger years that he learned to simulate.

On "Say You Will," I think Lindsey deliberately emphasizes Stevie's heavy nasality (no bottom end in her voice anymore) by flanging or phasing her lead vocal so frequently (like on "Everybody Finds Out" & "Illume" & "Destiny Rules"). As for why he does this, I don't know. I find the sound unpleasant, but maybe he really digs it. Of course, he phases his own vocals often enough, too, especially on his last two solo albums.