When a “token vocal” is appropriate (and appreciated)

One pet peeve of more than one music fan I know has to do with instrumental albums—sometimes, there’s a “token vocal” song on such presentations, and for some listeners, such an insertion is, at the very least, an annoying sonic speed bump.

Such singing may be done by the artist(s) who recorded the album or a (sometimes-famous) guest vocalist. More often than not, it seems like the only song with lyrics on an otherwise solid musical effort was presented as an afterthought (particularly if it’s the last track on the album) and/or as an option to use up some leftover recording time, and/or as an attempt to capitalize on the aforementioned fame of a singer who’s sittin’ in.