15. Becoming X - Sneaker Pimps 1996
Although a dark genre anyway, these couple of guys and a girl, took it even more sinister and f**ked up, to be blunt. They made it more sexual, sinister and unsettling, even out-creeping Tricky's brilliant, 'Maxinquaye', which was pretty warped, itself. This is one of those rare records that leaves you, truly wanting more, and can easily rotated several time in one sitting. Although the music does set the scene superbly, it is the vocals of Kelli Dayton that
really gives 'Becoming X', its edge. Beth from Portishead, was much more classical sounding, Skye, of Morcheeba, very sweet sounding, whereas Dayton, although, possessing a very cute tone, sounds like the sort of female that would be into drawing blood during intercourse, and biting, very hard! Pretty telling that after they had finished touring for the record, the dismissed Dayton and never re-captured the acclaim and success that this, debut, brought them. Hailing from the North Eastern town of Hartlepool, in England, the band was made up of Chris Corner and Liam Howe, as well as Dayton. The two gentlemen had played in bands together for many years and discovered their future front woman at a gig in a pub, fronting her band, the Lumieres. Due to Corner's lyrics for 'Becoming X', being more from a female slant, Dayton was asked to join. Aside from Dayton's vocals, the thing that immediately sets apart the Sneaker Pimps from their contemporaries, is the much more organic feeling, placing heavy emphasis on guitars and acoustic drumming, rather than using these to merely embellish the electronic base, more relied upon by the likes of Massive Attack, Tricky etc. For years after its release, it was two of the records singles, '6 Underground' and 'Spin Spin Sugar', that kept appearing, either on the radio or t.v. in their original guise, or the subject of countless remixes, some good, some not so. First single, 'Tesko Suicide', is perhaps a much more suitable calling card for the album. This track with its skipping drums, awkward guitar riff and Dayton's sarcastic sounding vocal delivery. As with all the 11 songs, the lyrics are very intriguing, especially when you remember that they were written by a male. The opening song, 'Low Place Like Home', is one of Trip Hop's heaviest ever numbers, with a heavy, distorted guitar-led chorus and an eerie as-a-foggy-country-road-at-night, verse. The drum pattern and resonant snare sound, are pushed high in the mix and add to the in-your-face but never over-energetic vibe. The absolutely all-killer-no-filler, debut from the band, earned them much plaudits and fans, including a certain Mr Marilyn Manson, who even had them as opening act on his mammoth U.S. tour, himself saying how much he enjoyed 'Becoming X'. Shame that the story of the Sneaker Pimps became one of the most well known, "what could've been", from the 90's. They really made a huge mistake firing Dayton, and trying to continue without her unique vocal style. She has gone on to a solo career that sustains itself, now known as Kelli Ali and with three excellent albums to her name, she seems to be having the last laugh. Who knows, one day, they may re-unite and play 'Becoming X', in its entirety.