Second Toughest in the Infants
Encyclopedia
Second Toughest in the Infants is the fourth album by Underworld
Underworld (band)
Underworld are a British electronic group, and principal name under which duo Karl Hyde and Rick Smith have recorded together since 1980.- Early years: 1979–1986 :...

, and the second in their classic "MK2" lineup with Darren Emerson
Darren Emerson
Darren Emerson is a dance music DJ, and former member of the UK electronic music outfit, Underworld.-Career:Emerson began mixing Hip-Hop records at the age of 14, and by 16 was DJing regularly at local venues...

. With this album, Underworld expanded on their progressive palette, while developing their signature sound of abrasive beats and anthemic melodies. The unusual name of the album derives from a comment made by member Rick Smith's six-year-old nephew, Chris 'Coop-Dawg' Cooper, when asked on his progress at Infant School
Infant school
An Infant school is a term used primarily in the United Kingdom for school for children between the ages of four and seven years. It is usually a small school serving a particular locality....

, the level of schooling attended by four- to seven-year-old children in the United Kingdom
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...

. The working title, Tonight Matthew, PROSSER IS A TWAT", itself a variation on the catchphrase from the British entertainment programme Stars in Their Eyes
Stars In Their Eyes
Stars in Their Eyes is a British television talent show that ran on Saturdays nights from 21 July 1990 until 23 December 2006 in which contestants impersonate showbiz stars...

, was deemed too obscure for international markets. Second Toughest featured the single "Pearl's Girl
Pearl's Girl
"Pearl's Girl" is the title of several 1996 single releases and a song by Underworld, from their album Second Toughest in the Infants. The single peaked on the UK Singles Chart at #22. The song title comes from the name of a racing greyhound...

". The re-issue featured the band's best known single, "Born Slippy .NUXX
Born Slippy .NUXX
"Born Slippy .NUXX" is a 1996 single by the band Underworld.It was preceded in January 1995 by the single "Born Slippy", which featured the ".NUXX" mix as a B-side. The band has stated that the pounding, relentless rhythm and shouted lyrics of the track were originally meant "as a joke", and the...

".

Overview

The album opens with one of Underworld's longest tracks to date; the multi-song suite "Juanita : Kiteless : To Dream of Love
Juanita (Underworld song)
"Juanita" is the title of a promotional 1996 single release and a song by Underworld, from their album Second Toughest in the Infants. It was the regular set-opener of their Second Toughest in the Infants and Beaucoup Fish tours.- Appearances :...

", which features all three parts intersecting each other at various points during the piece. The loungy, drum and bass
Drum and bass
Drum and bass is a type of electronic music which emerged in the late 1980s. The genre is characterized by fast breakbeats , with heavy bass and sub-bass lines...

 track "Banstyle" follows, alongside its downtempo, half-speed counterpart "Sappy's Curry". The rest of the record showcases advancements in the Underworld sound: both "Rowla" and "Pearl's Girl" feature club-ready abrasive beats and basslines, while "Blueski" and "Stagger" incorporate live acoustic guitar
Acoustic guitar
An acoustic guitar is a guitar that uses only an acoustic sound board. The air in this cavity resonates with the vibrational modes of the string and at low frequencies, which depend on the size of the box, the chamber acts like a Helmholtz resonator, increasing or decreasing the volume of the sound...

 and light, melancholic arrangements, respectively. "Pearl's Girl" is one of the few Underworld songs to use breakbeats.

Due to the success of the single "Born Slippy .NUXX
Born Slippy .NUXX
"Born Slippy .NUXX" is a 1996 single by the band Underworld.It was preceded in January 1995 by the single "Born Slippy", which featured the ".NUXX" mix as a B-side. The band has stated that the pounding, relentless rhythm and shouted lyrics of the track were originally meant "as a joke", and the...

", Second Toughest was re-issued with a bonus disc containing the single-only tracks "Born Slippy .NUXX" and "Rez"; Japan
Japan
Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...

ese editions also featured "Cherry Pie" and the "(Carp Dreams... Koi)" mix of "Pearl's Girl".

The song titles "Sappy's Curry", "Pearl's Girl" and "Born Slippy" all come from the names of racing greyhounds.

Critical Reception

Like Dubnobasswithmyheadman, Second Toughest in the Infants received critical acclaim. Allmusic gave the album 5 out of 5 stars saying that it "carries the same knockout punch of their debut, Dubnobasswithmyheadman, but it's subtler and more varied, offering proof that the outfit is one of the leading dance collectives of the mid-'90s". Entertainment Weekly gave the album a B+ rating saying "This is no dumb-bass dance music. Underworld know how to expand the frenzy of techno and jungle and then retreat to an ambient cool. The art is in the segue". The album is featured in the book 1001 Albums You Must Hear Before You Die.

Track listing

All songs by Darren Emerson
Darren Emerson
Darren Emerson is a dance music DJ, and former member of the UK electronic music outfit, Underworld.-Career:Emerson began mixing Hip-Hop records at the age of 14, and by 16 was DJing regularly at local venues...

, Karl Hyde, and Rick Smith unless noted.
  1. "Juanita : Kiteless : To Dream of Love
    Juanita (Underworld song)
    "Juanita" is the title of a promotional 1996 single release and a song by Underworld, from their album Second Toughest in the Infants. It was the regular set-opener of their Second Toughest in the Infants and Beaucoup Fish tours.- Appearances :...

    " – 16:36
  2. "Banstyle / Sappy's Curry" – 15:22
  3. "Confusion the Waitress" – 6:47
  4. "Rowla" – 6:31
  5. "Pearl's Girl
    Pearl's Girl
    "Pearl's Girl" is the title of several 1996 single releases and a song by Underworld, from their album Second Toughest in the Infants. The single peaked on the UK Singles Chart at #22. The song title comes from the name of a racing greyhound...

    " – 9:36
  6. "Air Towel" – 7:37
  7. "Blueski" – 2:55
  8. "Stagger" – 7:37

Reissue bonus CD

  1. "Born Slippy .NUXX
    Born Slippy .NUXX
    "Born Slippy .NUXX" is a 1996 single by the band Underworld.It was preceded in January 1995 by the single "Born Slippy", which featured the ".NUXX" mix as a B-side. The band has stated that the pounding, relentless rhythm and shouted lyrics of the track were originally meant "as a joke", and the...

    " – 11:40
  2. "Rez" – 9:55 (Hyde/Smith)
  3. "Cherry Pie" – 8:25
  4. "Pearls Girl (Carp Dreams... Koi)" – 10:06
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