Sneaker Pimps
Country of origin:
England
Type of music generally:
alternative pop/ectronica
Status:
Most recent release, Bloodsport (2002)
See also:
Wikipedia's Sneaker Pimps entry
Comparisons:
Poe, Massive Attack, Tricky, a tougher Portishead
Covers/own material:
Own
General comments:
The following applies to the Becoming X-era of Sneaker Pimps before vocalist Kelli Dayton left the group.The Sneaker Pimps are from England. The single "6 Underground" played a bit as an import on one of the stations around here, a trip-hoppy sort of thing with a smoky groove and really sweet, innocent-sounding female vocal accented by samples of a male saying "a-what's-up a-what's-up." My best comparison is to say it's musically a lot like Poe, with a sweeter-sounding 22-year-old vocalist, whose range (but not style) is somewhat similar to the girl from Letters To Cleo, or maybe even Innocence Mission. Like Poe, this group sort of falls into that almost-dance, sort-of-modern-rock category, largely based on an slow-burning groove. I find singer Kelli Dayton's voice addictive. The songs tend to sound dark and mysterious, and range from a simmering energy level to high-power rhythm. Poe fans, take note, I think you'd love this one. (carnivore@bigfoot.com)
It was my favorite album last year. I also bought the remix, becoming remixed....and found that I loved that too. Thats more of a psychedelic version of the former. "6 Underground" was the cut that they were playing on the college stations. It might not appeal to a lot of people here, but I think given time, you might find it incredible. I still do. (FAMarcus@aol.com)
It was a trip-hoppy sort of thing with dreamy female vox. (burka@jeffrey.net)
Recommended first album:
I recommend Becoming X; though their later stuff is good, the female singer left and now the guy sings. (iflin@speakeasy.net)
Recordings:
- Becoming X (1996/1997)
- Becoming Remixed (1998)
- Splinter (1999)
- Bloodsport (2002)
Becoming X
Release info:
1996—Cleanup Records; 1997—Virgin Records
Availability:
Wide
Ecto priority:
Highly recommended
Group members:
Kelli Dayton—vocals
Chris Corner—guitar
Liam Howe—keyboards
Produced by:
Line of Flight and Jim Abbiss
Comments:
Another trip hop influenced group who transcend the genre. The songs are dark and melodic and accompanied by wonderful vocals. (stuart@sph.emory.edu)I loved this when I first heard it, but thought it wouldn't stand the test of time. Well, ha! I'm delighted to hear it everytime we play it, which we still do fairly often. The inventiveness, energy, and attitude make this a classic. Oh, yes, and as Stuart says, the dark, melodic songs and the wonderful vocals. Terrific stuff! (Neile)
Probably my favorite CD of the year. (FAMarcus@aol.com)
Becoming Remixed
Release info:
1998—Virgin
Availability:
Limited edition
Ecto priority:
Recommended
Group members:
Sneaker Pimps
Guest artists:
Remixes by Armand Van Helden, Roni Size, Salt City Orchestra, Tuff Jam
Comments:
I thought the remix CD was brilliant. (FAMarcus@aol.com)
