Stephen Malkmus — American Musician born on May 30, 1966,

Stephen Joseph Malkmus is an American musician best known as the lead singer and guitarist of the indie rock band Pavement. He currently performs with Stephen Malkmus and the Jicks... (wikipedia)

I'm not sure if you can blame everything on the American way of life, but the United States are big. So, if you have a lot of people there, the percentage of stupid people is bound to be higher.
A good voice isn't so important. It's more important to sound really unique.
If a voice is just too nice, without an edge, it kinda all flows by. You forget it. You don't listen to the lyrics.
I like that band Get Hustle. They're cool live. I haven't heard their records, though.
The lyrics are different from Nick Cave songs and lyrics. His songs are very narrative.