In classic rock, a multitude of names crowd the list of renowned vocalists. Mercury's incredible octave range is only overshadowed by Plant's passionate, crooning song. From Morrison's deep, mystical style to Joplin's harsh wail, a widespread show of vocal accomplishment overflowed from the 1960s and 1970s. But as rock 'n' roll progressed, these famous artists lapsed into disrepair and, in some cases, death. After their time new artists have risen to take the musical gauntlet. Far from the undeniable best in their field, these musicians have merely striven for and succeed in achieving a distinct excellence that outshines their contemporaries.

Chris Martin of Coldplay
Through three full-length albums with the English rock quartet Coldplay, Chris Martin has proved beyond any shred of a doubt that he, and no one else, mans the helm of Coldplay. Through their premiere album, Parachutes, Martin displayed a singular softness and careful precision with his vocals.

Being a "baritenor", a vocal range between baritone and tenor, Martin has the innate ability to instill emotion in his listeners; too many vocalists lack this powerful quality. From Parachutes, the song "Sparks", track four, speaks volumes in testament to Martin's virtuosity. His gentle, falsetto sound shows in even his faster paced songs. In "Spies" there's proof of his falsetto in the chorus. As far as reaching out to the listener, it seems Martin has it down to a science, and it shows in his albums.

Ville Valo of HIM
Straight from Finland, this classically trained gothic vocalist has obviously taken a leaf out of Jim Morrison's book. Taking early influences from artists like Black Sabbath and Iron Maiden, his background is blatantly present in the music of his band: HIM. A gothic, melodic quintet, HIM brings the most dark, brooding sound to a mainstream status not seen by their peers, and it's all on account of Valo's contribution to the band.

HIM have put out six albums since Valo brought them together in 1991, and from the beginning his vocal range and emotion have fit their crunching, morose guitars like a glove. It's in songs like "Love You Like I Do, off Deep Shadows and Brilliant Highlights that his depth is truly heard, with incredibly deep vocals proving an interesting respite from his other songs. As in HIM's rendition of "Wicked Game", it's Valo's charisma that carries the song, like Chris Isaak's original before it. In kind with Chris Martin, Ville Valo earns a place at the top of the list for his characteristic capacity to reach out to the listener. In my eyes, this above all makes not merely a great vocalist, but a marvelous musician.

Claudio Sanchez of Coheed and Cambria
Set apart from your typical emo singer/songwriter, Claudio Sanchez's brilliance manifests itself in more than just a penchant for soft vocals. With an octave range fit to send even Freddie Mercury running for the hills, Sanchez has a competent ability most rock 'n' rollers frown upon. Maybe you couldn't pick him out for a male vocalist the first time you heard him. Possibly in "A Favor House Atlantic" you said "damn this girl can sing!" Well, you got it half right; that's definitely not a woman you're hearing.

As the Frontman of progressive rock's poster child Coheed and Cambria, Claudio Sanchez can hit octaves Christina Aguilera wouldn't dream of achieving. It's in songs like "A Favor House Atlantic" that his beginnings as a soprano vocalist are found. Tracks like "Mother Superior" and "Wake Up", each with softer tones, are positively coated in undeniable expertise. Sanchez also distances himself from his fellows in his annunciation; his style permits him to annunciate almost every syllable, a trait that, though most would not catch it, is not present in many singers. Believe it or not, aside from metal's growling, screeching normalcy, few artists reach such a precise, honed standard. If you were thinking of telling Claudio Sanchez to grow a pair, you might want to examine your own britches first.

Patrick Stump of Fall Out Boy
From offstage at one of Fall Out Boy's sold-out shows, Patrick Stump would seem the right-hand-man to bassist Pete Wentz. Wentz rules the stage as well as the crowd. Vocalist Stump's shy introversion paves the way for Wentz's boisterous antics. But as Fall Out Boy prove, all of the stage antics in the world don't make up for inept vocals.

The pop music genre is a swirling ocean of criers, wailers, yellers and crooners. Melding these vocalizations isn't as easy as most amateurs would like to believe, but Patrick Stump makes it look like pie; pop/punk pie, that is. In From Under the Cork Tree Stump's consistency shows above his other qualities. Through Fall Out Boy's four studio albums, this stands out as a powerful characteristic. Along with his pop vocals, however, Stump too can reach lower octaves. This displays more of his crooning than crying, or perhaps wailing. The whole of Fall Out Boy's Infinity On High is a minefield of vocal ranges. The track "This Ain't A Scene, It's An Arms Race" shows this, utilizing a distinct gospel/punk sound. Al Sharpton would be proud.

Brendon Urie of Panic! At The Disco
Offspring of Patrick Stump's Fall Out Boy, Las Vegas natives Panic! At The Disco have practiced diligently under their mentors. Signed to FOB's Fueled By Ramen record label, these pop/punk titans are led by the pure force and verve emanating from lead singer Brendan Urie. While guitarist Ryan Ross writes the majority of their music, as Wentz writes most of FOB's lyrics, it's Urie that truly brings the band to life. Leaning more towards a style akin to Claudio Sanchez than Ville Valo or Chris Martin, Urie's voice has a higher pitch. While it may be hard to picture Sanchez singing like he does (he's a rather big man; larger, say, than Valo and Martin put together), Urie's vocals can easily be attributed to his age. In his teens during the recording of their first album, A Fever You Can't Sweat Out, Urie takes full advantage of the range his age lets him reach. Songs like "But It's Better If You Do" and "The Only Difference Between Martyrdom And Suicide is Press Coverage" show this youthful, mild sound. With any luck, his vocal style will age like wine, and a wiser, more accomplished singer will be heard.

As this list shows, each of these vocalists was chosen for distinct qualities rarely found in rock. I'm sure there is someone out there who will try in vain to throw Crossfade's lot in, but it's just not happening. Chris Martin, Ville Valo, Claudio Sanchez, Patrick Stump, and Brendan Urie have managed, through diligence, practice, and pure God-given talent, to excel in a field most would cast off as worthless. However, it's been proven that, throughout time, if nothing else lasts to be remembered, our favorite tunes being sung by our favorite artists will always hold a very singular spot in our memory.