30-day music meme, days 4 and 5

i was very tired last night, so i am playing catch-up.

Day 4: Your favorite male singer.
Day 5: Your favorite female singer.

now. there are so many variables to this question. like, with or without a band? favorite now, or favorite last week? i'm looking from an aptitude standpoint here, not focussing on music and songwriting. (although i'm not saying they aren't awesome!) also, i am tired and do not have much analytical energy at the moment.

so. rather than definitive answers, i give you a representative sample. :P

it's worth noting that i am a big fan of vocal malleability, emotion, and the voice used as instrumentation.

male singers:

adam duritz:

glen hansard:

david ford, who doesn't even sound bad when he accidentally sings with his guitar pick in his mouth:

females:

tori amos

sinead o'connor

regina spektor:

( the questions behind the cut )