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. ~ Jonathan Lewis
