Becoming X

Becoming X

ASIN: B000000WCT

Editorial Reviews
Amazon.com
The U.K.-based Sneaker Pimps combine standard rock guitar parts with trip-hop beats and clear white-soul vocals, and, when strumming an acoustic guitar (as on the first single, "6 Underground"), the trio is virtually indistinguishable from Luscious Jackson. While using electronica's signifiers--jungle's rattle, trip-hop's dark churn, ambient's synth washes, hip-hop's samples--Sneaker Pimps never stray far from the comfy world of the pop song. Becoming X's opener, "Low Place Like Home," is only one step from Alanis, while the rousing closer is as breathy and sunny as the Cardigans. --Roni Sarig

Product Description
English version featuring different cover art.

Tracks:

Low Place Like Home
Tesko Suicide
6 Underground
Becoming X
Spin Spin Sugar
Post-Modern Sleaze
Waterbaby
Roll On
Wasted Early Sunday Morning
Walking Zero
How Do
6 Underground (Nellee Hooper Edit)

Amazon.com

The U.K.-based Sneaker Pimps combine standard rock guitar parts with trip-hop beats and clear white-soul vocals, and, when strumming an acoustic guitar (as on the first single, "6 Underground"), the trio is virtually indistinguishable from Luscious Jackson. While using electronica's signifiers--jungle's rattle, trip-hop's dark churn, ambient's synth washes, hip-hop's samples--Sneaker Pimps never stray far from the comfy world of the pop song. Becoming X's opener, "Low Place Like Home," is only one step from Alanis, while the rousing closer is as breathy and sunny as the Cardigans. --Roni Sarig

Album Details

English version featuring different cover art.

Customer Reviews:

i would steal this all over again..........2007-07-06

this is groundbreaking in my book. subverse and whimsical, sensual yet sonic. see also massive attack and imogen heap. slick stuff

Guilty Pleasure.......2007-03-08

Love this CD. Not the kind of music I normally go for, but some good tracks.

Becoming X.......2007-02-12

Excellent example of the Sneaker Pimps style. I love the mood this album sets and the total listening experience.

Eh... it's ok........2007-01-11

I bought this CD b/c I remembered it from a long time ago when it first came out, but, I have to admit, I was disappointed. The songs didn't really grab me like I remembered. 2 great songs: Spin Spin Sugar and Six Underground are wonderful! It's the stuff in between that you'll hear, memorize and maybe tap a toe or two to, but not your whole foot.

Dark, sexy, and some cynical bubblegum? Yes please........2006-12-08

The trip hop movement that flourished in the early 90s, thanks to pioneering groups like Massive Attack and Tricky, broke open the floodgates to lots of other creative artists seeking to escape rock, pop, and hip hop conventions of the time. Among these second-gen artists, the Sneaker Pimps in their first lineup may shine the very brightest. Just a quick sonic glance at Becoming X yields an album that is rich with addictive hooks, sexy grooves, and Kelli Dayton (now Kelli Ali)'s strangely spooky bubblegum pop vocals. This combination of the sexy and cynical makes for a unique listening experience that few other artists can claim to have created.

It may well be Dayton's vocals that sublimate these recordings into perfection. Although ample credit is due to the solidity of the foundation on which her part stands--the downtempo grooves between the smooth, driving drums and the dark, languid bass--Dayton's voice puts a sheen over the sound that is remarkable. You can almost picture a cyberpunk angel singing about her fall from grace. Yet Dayton is most apparently human in her lyrics. Although Becoming X is riddled with clamor over its sensual nature, it also tackles numerous subjects ranging from pop star subjugation, failing religion, and alienation.

Chris Corner's additions to the album as principle composer are the second greatest feature of Becoming X. As with the dynamic vocal/lyrical ideas, the musical compositions found here cannot be placed into a single box. Starting with "Low Place Like Home", a piece which feels as vindictively cynical as it does spooky, to the alluring, airy sounds of "6 Underground", to the acoustic bite of "Post-Modern Sleaze" and the lonely "How Do", Becoming X features an admirable range of sonic expression and emotive vocabulary.

If you've been looking for a way into the realm of trip hop and electro-pop, this is definitely one of the best routes to take. Alternatively, if you've grown tired of other artists that are either too heavy, wall-of-sound or too focused on hip-hop influences and circuitous synth beats, this CD is a unique escape from those. Either way, it is virtuosic in its context and entirely worth checking out. If, when you first listen, you can feel the tug of Kelli Dayton's bittersweet vocals or Chris Corner's blackhearted grooves, you won't want to pass this up. Once you've tasted Becoming X, you'll never want to give it up.

Average customer rating:

Spin Spin Sugar (Armand's Dark Garage Mix)
Question...
Sneaker Pimps
A "Gotta-Buy"

Becoming X
Sneaker Pimps
Manufacturer: EMI Int'l
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music

Alternative Dance | Alternative Styles | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music

General | Dance & DJ | Styles | Music

Trip-Hop | Dance & DJ | Styles | Music

General | Dance Pop | Dance & DJ | Styles | Music

General | Rock | Styles | Music

Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music

Adult Alternative | Pop | Styles | Music

Dance & DJ | Imports | Stores | Music

Rock | Imports | Stores | Music
Similar Items:

Tigermouth
Splinter
Becoming X
Loretta Young Silks

ASIN: B000006V5Q
Release Date: 1997-10-08

Tracks:

Low Place Like Home
Tesko Suicide
6 Underground
Becoming X
Spin Spin Sugar
Post-Modern Selaze
Waterbaby
Roll On
Wasted Early Sunday Morning
Walking Zero
How Do

Album Description

Repackaged using a striking band photo on the cover to coincide with the band's Australian tour! Hurry, this will be limited. 1996 release.

Album Details

Australian Limited Edition Including A Different Cover.

Customer Reviews:

Spin Spin Sugar (Armand's Dark Garage Mix).......2006-01-15

This is more of a response to another reviewer's question regarding the song "Spin Spin Sugar". I think the version of the song you are looking for appears on the Sneaker Pimps cd BECOMING REMIXED. In particular, the remix of Spin Spin Sugar is called ARMAND'S DARK GARAGE MIX.

As far as a review of this cd, it's a classic. Dreamy, soothing female vocals layered over mid tempo, trip hop beats with a little rock flavor.

Personally, I prefer the vocals on the later Sneaker Pimps cds featuring one of the main writers and guitarists, Chris Corner. His androgenous vocals are full of tormented, fragile sexuality.

His solo work as I AM X is even more dark, delicious and sensual. It is a definite nod to the recent Electroclash movement, which is in itself a nod to mid to late eighties (and earlier) electro groups such as Depeche Mode, Kraftwerk, Cabaret Voltaire, Human League, and Gary Numan.

I would suggest buying this cd in addition to any other Sneaker Pimps cds. If you're looking for a more "upbeat" incarnation of their music, get the remix cd that features a more dance-friendly vibe.

Cheers!

Question..........2005-12-07

This is not actually a review; I just have a question... Are the songs on this import album different versions of those on the original album? I've heard a much cooler version of "Spin Spin Sugar" than the one on the original album, but I can't seem to locate it. If it is on this CD that would be awesome... or if it can be found elsewhere that info would be useful to me as well. Please help!

Sneaker Pimps.......2005-07-07

The anticipation was greater than the product. Although there are a few very good tracks, the entire package was a disappointment.

A "Gotta-Buy".......1999-03-10

The singer, with a voice that could sing you to sleep with a lullaby, can express the feel of a song with the depth or softness of her voice. Unusual, and strangely erotic, her voice lifts you to the mood of the song. The music, simplistic, yet with definite rhythm and a strong base beat ensures that you can listen to the CD either loudly or softly. With varying degrees of "heaviness", this CD is definitely a pleasure to own and listen to, irrespective of what kind of music you like.

Average customer rating:

Becoming X
Sneaker Pimps
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Dance & DJ | Styles | Music
ASIN: B0002XNF3E
Release Date: 2004-01-06

Album Description

Repackaged edition of debut album features tworadio mixes of '6 Underground' & 'Spin Spin Sugar' plus thenew single mix of 'Post Modern Sleaze'. 11 tracks total.Other eight: 'Low Place Like Home', 'Tesko Suicide', 'Becom-ing X', 'Water Baby', 'Wasted Early Sunday', 'Morning','Walking Zero' & 'How Do'. '6 Underground' is the U.S. radiohit also featured on the soundtrack & in the film 'TheSaint'. NOTE: also features completely different cover art.

Average customer rating:

Becoming X
Sneaker Pimps
Manufacturer: Clean Up
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Dance & DJ | Styles | Music

Trip-Hop | Dance & DJ | Styles | Music

Adult Alternative | Pop | Styles | Music

Alternative Dance | Alternative Styles | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music

Dance & DJ | Imports | Stores | Music

Rock | Imports | Stores | Music
ASIN: B00005ECJ8
Release Date: 1997-06-09

Tracks:

Low Place Like Home
Tesko Suicide
6 Underground
Becoming X
Spin Spin Sugar
Post-Modern Sleaze
Waterbaby
Roll On
Wasted Early Sunday Morning
Walking Zero
How Do
6 Underground [Nellee Hooper Edit]

Album Description

Japanese edition of the trip hop/ electronica quintet's acclaimed debut album with the bonus track 'Walk the Rain'. 12 tracks total. Also features the new European artwork on the cover, which is a full color group shot of the band.

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