Sneaker Pimps Album: “Splinter”

It took me a while to get into this CD when I first got it because I was very closed minded when it came to music, at the time. All I knew was that I loved the Sneaker Pimps first album, Becoming X, enough to pay $25 for this CD. I also knew that Kelli Ali had left the band, so I wasn't sure what Chris Corner's vocals would sound like...and I had nowhere to sample this CD, so I just went ahead and bought it. At first I wasn't sure what to think of it, but the more I listened to it, I fell in love with his voice. The lyrics are very emotional and honest, and I've grown to love that about the Sneaker Pimps, among a million other things. Now, I can't imagine what my life would be like without these Sneaker Pimps CD's...I've overplayed them so much that I've annoyed my boyfriend with them and they've become a big part of my life and my memories.

Picking favorite songs on this album, or any of the Sneaker Pimps albums, is very difficult, but if I were to choose some to recommend to others I would choose "Ten To Twenty", "Flowers and Silence", "Destroying Angel", "Half Life", & "Low Five" for starters. I highly recommend this album.

Following the success of their 1996 debut album, `Becoming X', Sneaker Pimps return with their sophomore offering, `Splinter'. There has been a substantial change of emphasis in style and presentation with the sacking of their vocalist to enable the linchpin of the band, Chris Corner, to move centre stage. "It just wasn't working out", Chris tactfully said whilst clutching a post-gig can of beer; hinting that the image of the band was in danger of taking it somewhere he didn't want to go.

Such a change from female to male vocals may seem somewhat radical, but the dark lyrical content remains: `now your newspeak's aging thin/ a pale and hanging faith/ a devil sick on sin' he laments on `Curl'. Indeed the greater change is in the music with the trip-hop feel giving way to harsher rhythms and brooding guitar work, of which the lead single `Low Five' is a fine example. The album lacks consistency, however, and the second single, `Ten to Twenty' is noticably weaker. Tracks such as `Wife by Two Thousand' and the title track itself promise but fail to deliver. Overall a bit of a disappointment, but if anyone is searching for an update of those bass heavy gothic standards they should go out of their way to hear the stand out track `Superbug'. It may be that Sneaker Pimps are merely regrouping, so to speak, but the problem is that they may find that their level of success mirrors the musical mood: down.

This is an incredibly sophisticated album, and explores much more territory than Becoming X. All the tracks are solid through to the end though my favourites are the first four. Like most good music, Splinter takes a while to get used to, but it is definitely worth persevering with this one. I would call it 'rocktronica' and place it somewhere between Massive Attack, Placebo and Radiohead, but this is unfair as it is very special and unique in its own right. I don't buy many CDs but I didn't have to think hard about paying the import for Splinter.

Becoming X was an awesome album. It defined a trip hop sound for so many clubbers and radio listeners, combining elements of beats, acoustics, ambience and some rock. However, it was confined, and too mechanical. Chris kicking their lead singer Kelly out of the band was a poor move critically, causing audiences and mainstream to turn their backs. However, it was an advantage on their part, as Chris moved to guitar AND vocals. Suddenly, they were an entirely different band. SPLINTER sounds like they have broken free of their restraints from the mainstream sound of SIX UNDERGROUND and SPIN SPIN SUGAR, which had become harnesses against the sound they really wanted to make. This escape comes in so many different sounds; in beautiful ambience, in haunting acoustics, and in sonic rock that seems to rock out yet not in a way that has become known in metal and hard rock. In their own way; the Sneaker Pimps way. SPLINTER has helped changed my entire out look on music. It has also shown me how a brilliant cd can be trashed by critics, under-rated in a world where Britney Spears and Robbie Williams control the opinions of critics and the airwaves. "Half Life" "Destroying Angel" and "Superbug" are three of the Pimps' best songs, and three of my favorite songs ever. People complain that they miss Kelly and they want the old SP back. I tell them to actually try closing their mouth, opening their ears and listening to the music, not hearing it. SPLINTER is a rare album with a rare sound. Ambient and acoustic trip hop at it's best. However, something this beautiful must be sought out in your own interests. You won't hear it on the radio or see it on TV. It's an isolated work, and I think everyone should give it a try and listen to what the Sneaker Pimps are truly capable of.

OK, so I loved Becoming X as much as the next guy or girl. But, after hearing Splinter, I have to say that Becoming X feels, well, insubstantial... light... ultimately forgettable. Splinter doesn't have the same pop, commercial appeal and probably won't appeal to everyone. It's denser, darker, more brooding... a violent collision between gothic and trip hop. I don't have much of a reference to compare Splinter to -- it's miles from Becoming X -- but I'd venture to say if you like the later Portishead and Massive Attack, you'll keep this CD in heavy rotation.