Customer Reviews

Becoming X

5 star:		(71)
4 star:		(18)
3 star:		(12)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

This is a great album -- no doubt about it. Their music was dark and subversively sensual. In my opinion, it's a very different "feel" than either the Cardigans or Alanis Morissette. In fact, the Editorial Review above is a bit laughable. Anyway, the Sneaker Pimps mixed alternative, experimental rock with trip hop into what I like to call trance rock. The breathtaking spatial precision of the production and engineering is evidence of Howe and Corner's obsession with the psychoacoustics of stereo sound and room reflections. Becoming X is very unique in its atmospheres, but tends towards the subtle, minimalist side of things. Chris Corner, for instance, initially poked fun at the Nellee Hooper version of Six Underground as being too glossy and commercially oriented. Sorry Chris, but this is not "commercially oriented" music; I'd call Madonna and the Backstreet Boys commercial, not this. Becoming X has a great basic sound and structure to it, and I think Nellee Hooper could have been used to help produce and mix all of their future material to perfect results. If this album had been totally remixed by Mr. Hooper, it'd be an absolute masterpiece. Having songs "kicked-in in all the right places" is what music is about, not the lack thereof. The boys of the band gradually began learning this, and their later, lushly produced remixes and b-sides show it. Kelli was also taking on more songwriting duties as well as giving more production advice. Eventually, the band developed on their own into what Nellee Hooper could have instantly brought them to. Everything seemed to be progressing gorgeously, as evidenced by the track Velvet Divorce, then ZAP! The boys got overly paranoid about what they thought was a generic "2 guys & a girl" trip hop formula, seemingly oblivious to how truly special their sound was. Chris Corner also became increasingly possessive of their new material. Sadly, Kelli and the boys parted ways. ("And there was much weeping and gnashing of teeth.") Because her wonderful voice was the backbone of the old sound, the new Sneaker Pimps are essentially a whole new band. The new Pimps, led by Corner, are good too, but the old pimps were becoming a revelation.

Long before Zero 7 and Air shook up urban CD stores with their downtempo chill, the Sneaker Pimps released "Becoming X." Unlike Zero 7 and Air, however, the Sneaker Pimps were far closer to rock than ambience. In fact, the Sneaker Pimps were part of the same 1990s British Invasion that brought us Oasis, Blur, Pulp, Radiohead and the like. "Becoming X" was a promising debut for a band that, unfortunately, never went on to better things.

Unlike most trip hop, which uses largely anonymous female vocalists, the Sneaker Pimps boasted a charismatic and photogenic lead singer in Kelli Dayton. On the best songs on this CD, Dayton shifts through several moods - edgy one moment, playful the next, weary a moment after, and eager the moment after that. Dayton is so playful that unless you listen closely, you won't realise that much of the material here uses standard rock song structures. According to the credits, she didn't write a single word of the lyrics, but there's no denying that her unique voice soars above the exotic flute samples and drumloops that make up the usual instrumental backing here.

"Wasted Early Sunday Morning," "Post-Modern Sleaze," "Tesko Suicide," and the single "Six Underground" are the best songs here. Elsewhere, I found myself wanting more variety, both in tempos and in choices of backing instrumentation.

This is Dayton's only CD with the band. She's since changed her name to Kelli Ali and released two CDs that generally take her into tougher rock and electronica territory. I recommend "Psychic Cat" which is now available as a domestic release in the US. The rest of the Pimps, as mentioned earlier, never surpassed "Becoming X," but if you're addicted to the sound of this CD you'll probably enjoy parts of their later CDs as well.

In the era of trip hop, many of us (Americans that is) seemed to miss the influence this style had upon music. However, I got a taste of this band when I saw the trailer for the movie Cruel Intentions back in 1998 but I never really knew who sang the song until 2001 when I picked up a friend's mixed CD. I immediately fell in love with "6 Underground" (one of my all-time favorite songs still) and had to get the CD that housed the intoxicating hit. Becoming X still remains one of my very favorite CDs and actually introduced me to the world of trip hop. "Low Place Like Home" starts the CD off in an almost Garbage like sound but keeps to the trip hop genre while "Tesko Suicide" keeps you engrossed with Kelli's vocals. "Becoming X", "Post-Modern Sleaze", "Waterbaby", and "Wasted Early Sunday Morning" each prove to be very good tracks as well and "How Do" remains sort of haunting with the vocals and low tone and "Walking Zero" seems eery throughout, even in the lyrics. "Spin Spin Sugar", a song still played in the clubs, makes you feel like you are on a sugar rush and spinning but for all the wrong reasons while "Roll On" becomes a come on and proposition. Finally, "6 Underground (Nelle Hooper Edit)" still shines brightly on this album, very strong, passionate, seductive, all of it in one package. This is definately a strong CD with so much potential even years after it's release and it's a shame Kelli no longer sings for the Sneaker Pimps because this album truly was and is captivating to the last note.

OK, I actually STILL play this CD all the way thru. It's a sonic blast, a must have. HAD to repo it from an ex.
It's too bad the insecure "boys" of the band got jealous and decided to dump Kelli (singer) after this album. They also dumped their electronica/pseudo trip-hop sound and went more guitar oriented (boring) after this. BTW, Roni Sarig's review of this album is ridiculous. They sound NOTHING like Luscious Jackson. This is in my Top 100 Albums. Sample some songs, then buy it.

This is the best CD ever. I bought it over a year ago and still listen to it regularly. Every song is awesome, they make you feel relaxed and excited at the same time. Definately worth your time and money! Each track is unique so the album dosen't give you "same sound" overload.

I've had this cd and the remix edition in my cd collection for about 8 years now. I've always been a fan of trip hop and found the Sneaker Pimps to be a group that certainly secured their niche with this album. too bad it was a one time shot (their second album falls short of their debut, mainly with the loss of their lead vocalist). But after a James Bond marathon this weekend, I noticed something about the track "6 Underground" that in my 8 years of listening had never noticed before. The main source of this track comes from the Goldfinger Soundtrack (you can hear it when James Bond finds Jill Masterson covered in gold). I always knew there was something drawing me into that song but that diffently made me understand why. Which is another reason why I've grown to love British trip hop over American. The Brits really research and find classic samples that the listener may not recognize but will fully enjoy.

I bought this CD because I heard "6 Underground" and liked it. It turned out that every other song is good too, and the album maintains the 6 Underground feel. This is the CD that first got me hooked on the trip-hop/downtempo genre. I describe Becoming X as a melodic version of Portishead's Dummy. The CD creates a dark, moody atmosphere which Kelli (Vocallist) tops off perfectly.

Compared to the other Sneaker Pimps CD's, this is my second favorite, second to Splinter. It is the only one with a female voice, but the voice isn't what makes the band. I'd rate Becoming X a 9.5 out of 10 and Splinter a 10 out of 10. Becoming X is more bass line and drum heavy, while Splinter relies more on melodic guitar riffs and orchestra clips.

I's reccommend this album to anyone who listens to music to feel Zen. Buy it if you like Radiohead, Portishead, Hooverphonic, any other Sneaker Pimps, or any other Trip-Hop.

love the pimps! got this CD about two months ago, and it's rare when a day goes by that i don't listen to this gem of a recording. the fifth track <spin spin sugar> was worth the price of the CD alone....the lead singer, dayton, has a sweet, cutting voice, ("she must be a thelma or louise"- track 6) and it perfectly compliments the dark, forboding trip-lounge/ hop music. get this album if you dig portishead, massive attack, tricky even just a smidge...this CD is very intoxicating and you will soon find yourself addicted to the sounds of Becoming X. grab this Sneaker Pimps debut...you will not be sorry.

This could quite possibly be the best album on the planet, in my opinion. Many genres (trip-hop, pop, electronic, et al.) are covered in the course of only eleven songs (twelve if you count the last track, an excellent remix of their hit "6 Underground" done by professional disc jockey Nellee Hooper).

Track 1 - "Low Place Like Home" A fun litle song with lush beats and plenty of bass. Features such exuberant lyrics as, "Crucify yourself, in a low place like home."

Track 2 - "Tesko Suicide" TS is an electric, hyperactive song detailing how suicide has become chic. A member of the group issued a remark stating, "They might as well sell kits down at the local [Tesko grocery store]." I like the song, but I do not like its message.

Track 3 - "6 Underground" is a catchy, ethereal lullaby of a pop tune. According to the Sneaker Pimps themselves, it is about the overwhelming constrictiveness of small town life. The last beat of this song is the first beat of the next, a neat effect.

Track 4 - "Becoming X" is a dirty song, yet it is clean at the same time. A filthy booming electronic beat resides under the song, but above it is a clean and neat piano section gibinjg a generally extraterrestrial feel.

Track 5 - "Spin Spin Sugar" Many people have purchased "Becoming X" on this song's merits alone. Features samples of a Russian sounding woman screaming and moaning.

Track 6 - "Post-Modern Sleaze" is a slow moving, acoustic guitar driven track. It also has portions played on a rather Middle Eastern type wind instrument.

Track 7 - "Waterbaby" Waterbaby is a good song, but it is one of the weakest tracks on "Becoming X." A sparse sounding semi-ballad.

Track 8 - "Roll On" is a lewd pop song. I love it.

Track 9 - "Wasted Early Sunday Morning" is an acoustic driven song moving at a mid-tempo. It is one of my favorite songs on this album.

Track 10 - "Walking Zero" is a great song, my very favorite on the album. It has everything - meaningful lyrics, a violin solo, and the electronic beats that drive this album.\

Track 11 - "How Do" This is a cover of a song with the same title, sung by a very nude actor in the film "The Wicker Man" A haunting, other wordly ballad

Track 12 (on the U.S. version) - "6 Underground (Nellee Hooper Edit)" This is a remix of "6 Underground," obviously, which takes the 1996 hit to new heights.

Overall, this is *much* better than their second album, "Splinter." Kelli Dayton's voice wraps around you like a blanket, but the whiney male vocals of the second album leave you disinterested.

I got my first taste of the Pimps in a very interesting place - a sex scene in the movie The Saint. I enjoyed the tune and the beat of Six Underground, and knew right away that this was the kind of music that I had been dreaming up. After discovering the artist and listening to the other tracks (my personal favorites being Becoming X, Spin Spin Sugar, and Walking Zero), I fell in love with the rest of the CD and bought all of the other Sneaker Pimps albums. I could go on about Kelli Dayton's haunting whisper, the quality of the songwriting, the sexy and slow percussion beats, but all the other reviewers have already done so for me. Becoming X introduced me to a lost and, in my opinion, severely underrated genre abandoned after the turn of the century: trip-hop.

If you enjoyed Becoming X I recommend Portishead, Massive Attack, and Emiliana Torrini