10 Rock Bands That Outshine Their Lead Singer
8. R.E.M.
Most bands without a proper frontman often miss an opportunity to really blow up right out of the gate. Since you don't have the unofficial cheerleader of the group really doing their job, what chance do you have at making a real impact when just getting started? While it may seem wrong to not lead with your best foot forward, R.E.M. got the slow ascent that most established acts would have killed for.
Granted, a lot of the non-charisma coming from these college rockers had a lot to do with the way that Michael Stipe was singing. On albums like Murmur and Reckoning, it was nearly impossible to keep track of whatever Stipe was saying, instead having to focus on the amazing pop-centric melodies. However, this ended up coming back around to help R.E.M. in the long run by letting the music seep into your system and have you recontextualize what the lyrics mean to the individual listener.
By the time these alt-rockers had finally hit their stride in the '90s, the rest of the group had just as big of a shot at being a star as Stipe, from Peter Buck's jangly guitar playing to the borderline co-lead vocal delivery coming from Mike Mills. Though some acts flounder trying to be the band for everybody, R.E.M. managed to touch everybody's hearts by just being themselves.