Review Summary: Bringing the mid 90's to the club, this is a must for fans of the group.
Decidedly dated,
Becoming Remixed compiles some of the Sneaker Pimps more well known tracks, albeit with a heavily club oriented spin. Though the band may have parted ways with the main reason for their initial success (vocalist Kelli Dayton) and left the trip-hop scene behind,
Becoming X and its subsequent remix album are still a joy to revisit. Filled with the sensibilities of production past, and ending with a surprisingly good take on "Post Modern Sleaze",
Becoming Remixed deserves your attention.
The album begins with the smooth house grooves of "Spin Spin Sugar", in what soon becomes a glorious nine minute run time. Armand Van Helden takes the listener on a journey through dimly lit corridors to a room filled with tightly packed bodies, all moving to the sweet horns and high hats of one of the Sneaker Pimps main hits. Though casual listeners may find the track to be seemingly never-ending, and hopefully you don't mind repeated lines, those who can look past this will find a surprising rendition filled with techno influences and more than a hint of the then burgeoning speed garage scene; it's hard to believe that this is the same man who helped bring about the popular mainstream hits "Barbra Streisand" and "The Big Bad Wolf".
Though Armand's mix is a surprising highlight, the real winner of the album really is left to the audience to decide. From the amazing rock tinged Paul Oakenfold version of "6 Underground", the absolute funk wonder of The Salt City Orchestra's mix of "Post Modern Sleeze", and to the haunting industrial/noise influenced "Tesko Suicide" (ala Americruiser) there's a little something of everything here provided you enjoy hearing the same handful of tracks again and again. From orchestral settings to the darkest, most 90's club imaginable
Becoming Remixed has a plethora of fun moments.
Though issued in a "limited" amount (30,000 each individually marked), this remix album is a must have for fans of the group. Although the bands debut received top chart love back in 1996 it's hard to imagine back to when they received regular club/radio play, and that's a shame. Revisiting both this and
Becoming X leaves it quite clear that had the group capitalized on their one-time vocalist, as well as their growing recognition, they may have had more than the smattering of success they currently enjoy.
