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**Second Toughest In The Infants**
*Underworld*
★★★★☆

In the mid-'90s, when Britpop was busy gazing at its own navel and grunge was slowly bleeding out in Seattle basements, something extraordinary was happening in the UK's underground dance scene. Underworld, the Essex-born electronic trio who had already tasted mainstream success with their euphoric anthem "Born Slippy," were about to deliver what many consider their masterpiece: *Second Toughest In The Infants*, a sprawling, ambitious double album that would cement their reputation as pioneers of progressive house and techno.

The album emerged from a period of intense creativity and experimentation for Karl Hyde, Rick Smith, and Darren Emerson. Following the underground success of their previous effort *Dubnobasswithmyheadman* and the mainstream breakthrough of "Born Slippy (Nuxx)" – which had soundtracked a generation's chemical-fueled nights thanks to Danny Boyle's *Trainspotting* – the trio found themselves in the unique position of being both credible underground artists and unlikely pop stars. Rather than play it safe, they doubled down on their most adventurous instincts.

*Second Toughest In The Infants* is a journey through the outer reaches of electronic music, a two-disc exploration that refuses to be confined by conventional song structures or genre boundaries. This isn't music for casual listening; it's an immersive experience that demands attention and rewards patience. The album's title, lifted from a phrase Hyde spotted on a school report, perfectly captures the childlike wonder and playground surrealism that permeates the record.

The opening track "Juanita/Kiteless/To Dream of Love" sets the tone with its hypnotic progression, building from ambient textures into a driving techno workout that spans nearly seventeen minutes. It's classic Underworld: Hyde's stream-of-consciousness vocals floating over Smith and Emerson's intricate electronic landscapes, creating something that's simultaneously mechanical and deeply human. The track exemplifies the band's gift for making dance music that works just as well in headphones as it does on massive sound systems.

"Banstyle/Sappys Curry" stands as perhaps the album's most accessible moment, with its infectious groove and Hyde's memorable vocal delivery creating an instant classic. The track showcases the trio's ability to craft proper songs within their extended compositions, proving that their experimental tendencies never come at the expense of pure, visceral excitement. Meanwhile, "Confusion the Waitress" demonstrates their more introspective side, with its haunting melodies and fragmented vocals creating an atmosphere of beautiful melancholy.

The album's centerpiece, "Pearl's Girl," is nothing short of breathtaking. Over the course of nine and a half minutes, the track builds from delicate beginnings into an absolutely massive crescendo, with layers of synthesizers, samples, and Hyde's increasingly urgent vocals creating one of the most emotionally powerful moments in electronic music. It's the sound of a band operating at the absolute peak of their powers, crafting music that's both intellectually stimulating and physically overwhelming.

What makes *Second Toughest In The Infants* so remarkable is how it captures a specific moment in electronic music history while remaining utterly timeless. This was dance music for the post-rave generation, sophisticated enough for home listening but still capable of moving bodies and minds in club settings. The production, handled by the band themselves, is immaculate – every element has space to breathe while contributing to the overall sonic architecture.

Twenty-seven years after its release, the album's influence can be heard throughout electronic music. Artists from Burial to Four Tet have cited Underworld's fearless approach to structure and texture as inspirational, while the album's seamless blend of techno, house, and ambient music helped establish the template for what would become known as "intelligent dance music." The record has aged remarkably well, its futuristic sounds still feeling genuinely ahead of their time.

*Second Toughest In The Infants* remains Underworld's creative peak, a double album that justifies its length through sheer ambition and execution. It's essential listening for anyone interested in electronic music's possibilities, a reminder that dance music can be both physically compelling and emotionally devastating. In an era of playlist culture and shortened attention spans, it stands as a monument to the power of the album as an art form – challenging, rewarding, and utterly essential.