#splinter 1999

NOTABLE TRACKS INCLUDE: "LOW FIVE," "CUTE SUSHI LUNCHES," "TEN TO TWENTY," "SPLINTER," & "HALF LIFE."

PIC(S) INFO: Mega spotlight on complete package design to "Splinter," the second studio album by English electronic/trip-hop band SNEAKER PIMPS, released in October 1999 through record labels Clean Up and Virgin.

ALBUM OVERVIEW: "SNEAKER PIMPS followed the debut success of "Becoming X" with the different, yet strangely familiar, "Splinter." Kelli Dayton, whose haunting vocals made songs like "Spin Spin Sugar" and "6 Underground" so evocative, is no longer with the group.

While this takes the listener a few moments to re-adjust -- Dayton's voice was, after all, what made SNEAKER PIMPS so accessible -- this album is still worth the effort. "Splinter" is a superb disc, full of trancey, edgy psychedelia, interspersed with moments of blistering rock. The new vocalist, Chris Corner, is not nearly as good a singer as Dayton, although his breathy -- and at times whiney -- vocals suit these songs well.

Although the comparisons with PORTISHEAD, MASSIVE ATTACK, and GARBAGE are inevitable, the SNEAKER PIMPS have created an intricate album of trip-hop that is every bit as original as any of their contemporaries. While "Splinter" may not have the standout singles that "Becoming X" had, it's pleasantly low-key and occasionally brilliant."

-- ALLMUSIC, "Splinter" review by Jonathan Lewis

"THESE ALTERED STATES AND EGOS, POTENTIAL LESS THAN ZERO..."

PIC(S) INFO: Spotlight on a print/record advert for "Low Five," a CD single by English electronic/trip-hop group SNEAKER PIMPS, taken from the group's second studio album "Splinter," from the pages of the July 1999 issue of the UK's NME (New Musical Express).

PIC #2: The above print ad was based on the CD booklet and CD inlay artwork from the "Splinter" album, featuring SP guitarist/ vocalist/band leader, Chris Corner.

"Give me a low five, 'Cause I can't help myself, I'm a low five downsize no-one else, Do you love yourself?

These altered states and egos, Potential less than zero, Found God in San Diego, Nothing comes to mind."

-- "Low Five" (1999) by SNEAKER PIMPS