Splinter

If you're expecting to hear the same sound of "Becoming X" or "Becoming X Remixed", you'll be setting yourself up for a letdown with this album. Not because it's bad, it's actually a really excellent piece of work. It's just hard, at least for me, to imagine the Sneaker Pimps with the sound found on this album.Their female vocalist left the group so one of the male co-founders and writers of the group decided to keep the band alive by singing all the parts on this album. If you had not heard the previous albums and songs with the female vocals, you would instantly appreciate the raspy yet rich and intense voice of Chris Corner more. With him singing his own words, the album feels a lot more personal.The music of "Splinter" is comprised of more acoustic guitar than the previous album but the trip-hop beats are for the most part just as inventive and powerful. The electric guitars and electronics are less in your face on most songs (but on a couple they are front and center). On most songs, the electric guitar and electronics are kind of used for atmospheric purposes. It works really well for enhancing Chris Corner's dark lyrics and intimate vocal delivery.This may not be as in your face with Keli on vocals packing a subtle punch behind her performance, but it is definitely still the same band and you'd recognize the musical style still. For me personally, it was hard to be impartial after growing up with the songs from "Becoming X". However, there's no denying how good this album is no matter how much anyone liked Keli on vocals. If you listen to this with an open mind, you'll most likely be won over.If you are deadset on the Sneaker Pimps only being a band with Keli Ali on vocals, you probably won't give this a chance and you won't enjoy it.If you hear this with an unbiased perspective and give it a chance, fans of the band won't be disappointed and will understand this for what it is: evolution in sound.

I am one of the biggest Chris Corner fans you'll likely ever meet. I could easily sit here all day and go on and on about his artistic evolution and the role his music has played in my life, but I'll spare you.What I will tell you is that Splinter is a complete departure from Becoming X, and although it did not receive the credit it was due when it was released, it is a masterful, necessary transformation. This album is emotionally deeper, more complex, expertly produced while managing to remain raw and vulnerable. I highly recommend giving it a listen if you have not.Splinter was the last Sneaker Pimps album that I needed on vinyl and I have been looking for it for YEARS. YEAARRS!A year and a half ago I ordered it on Amazon even though it was not in stock. Honestly, I had completely forgotten about the order because I was certain it wouldn't ever be fulfilled.Last week, I received a shipping notification with a delivery date of 6/6, my birthday.What?!I don't know how Amazon got some (there's apparently more in stock!!!!) especially since One Little Indian hasn't pressed it since 2012, I believe.This will remain a complete mystery to me. It's completely dumbfounding.So, if you want it on vinyl you should order it now because I doubt you'll see again.The vinyl itself is PERFECT. It's 180 gram heavyweight vinyl and man oh man does it sound amaaazing. Listening to this album on vinyl has completely been worth the wait.Good things come to those who wait...apparently.

I wish I had words on the fly to describe the impotance of this album in the late 90s for an American kid who had to import it on CD just to listen to it..But I did, and 7 years later I imported it on vinyl from Scotland and I was refreshed by the timelessnes of the sound. This is essential listening. It gives me images of a Blade Runner-esque Neo-Tokyo due to the constant use of reverb, dry beats, vibrant chimes and hidden noises in a GLORIOUS production (if experienced in its fullest soundstage). It is bright, but gritty; songs such as 'Lightning Field' and 'Destroying Angel' have a lurking quality to them... They provide an impressionstic narrative of someone in a bleak future who is either crying in their soy-kaf due to love issues, or about to get what they have coming to them.... and ready to die beacause they are too busy within themselves to care.This is the sound of what the world would've become in an age of true globalization/corporate dominance and we went through a technological bronze age rather than jump so drastically in the past decade:: an age whre technology could've been cruder before it became better and rebels evolved to take on renegade jobs sending packages personally (due to the government hold on anything wired, of course) or any job requiring one strapping oneself to an ATM or a specific corporation terminal with a phone jack-wire attached to their neck!(ahhh the joys of cyberpunk LOST thanks to the past 25 years)This album is more important than most will know.. hell the UK know it. They remastered it in 200 Gram numbered LPs.

After the departure of Kelli Dayton, most Sneaker Pimps fans were hesitant on giving "Splinter" a go. The transition from Dayton to Chris Corner seemed to have compromised the bands style and for most fans, this was unforgivable. However, I listened to "Splinter" before "Becoming X" and had less of that bias. After listening to Sneaker Pimps for some years now I can honestly say that this album isn't as dreadful as some people make it out to be. If anything Corner's haunting vocals and riffs help the band get back to its trip hop roots and actually do so in dramatic fashion. "Splinter" as a whole is good (not great) and for a few fleeting moments, the album can lift you off your feet.

Had it on tape a zillion years ago & lost it. Moody, atmospheric, with an occasional touch of dancy-ness. Such a sophisticated band. I always notice how many times to this day I hear Massive Attack and Portishead samples on the soundtracks of TV dramas or trailers to create a dark mood and I love them both! But unfortunately it seems to me that Sneaker Pimps have somehow been overlooked and underrated in this respect.

Good

Chris Corner IS A GOD!

Fantastic album. Highly recommended for any Iamx fan.

Bin ein großer Fan von IAMX und wollte mir die alten Stücke der Entstehung von Chris Corner mal anhören. Ein wahnsinnig brillianter Künstler der einen ganz eignen Stil hat Musik zu verwirklichen. Damals mit den Sneaker Pimps von TriHop und Electro geprägt und heute mit IAMX der in die Gothic Theater Richtung einschlägt. Schade das es keine 6 Sterne gibt!!!