Second Toughest In The Infants

… und weiter gehts mit der Resterampe! Furchtbar!

Definitely not to my liking

Not for me

Hm this is difficult to rate. I really wanted to hate it track 1 started but found it much better than expected.

Love that deep and energetic electronic start. The first half of this is really amazing. The flow seemed slightly interrupted in the second half. There was a couple of more sampley, indie floaty thin feeling things. I'll probably learn to really love those and love the record

I refuse to believe that people listen to this for enjoyment. Utter dogshit.

Not the worst techno album in the world but far from something that I need to listen to before I die. Perfectly mid. Hard to rate individual songs because there were some movements during them long ass 15min songs that I really liked but didn't enjoy the full track.

generic

One of the artists that opened by ears to electronic music when I was previously almost exclusively grunge and hardcore punk kid. Going to Atomic Jam in Birmingham with Darren Emerson on the decks - crazy long nights. Juanita opens a sprawling, progressive acid tinged monster of track running for 15 minutes. The classic underworld drums running throughout. Banstyle/Sappys Curry is another long track - bit more chilled than the previous with the closest Karl Hyde comes to singing Pearl's Girl is a another highlight - I'll confess that I have owned this on 12" for about 30 years so again I'm not exactly unbiased here Blueski is a beautiful track - slower, less relentless than most of the other songs on the album. Overall I think this is a very good album but maybe not quite the masterpiece that is dubnobasswithmyheadman

I could see some alt Europeans doing ecstasy in a warehouse to this

This kind of music is just not for me and that is OK

This album has got a real Brian Eno vibe running through it, but it's missing that 'Born Slippy' magic I was expecting. 'Pearl's Girl' was definitely the standout track, as I'm a big fan it's 90s trip-hop feel (sort of similar to Björk's 'Enjoy') but other than this particular track, there was nothing outstanding about this record.

2.5

Initial track sounds promising but like a lot of electronic music I find it becomes same ish and sounds like 90s sega genesis soundtrack music

I'm still not sure about electronic music as a whole. I liked this one, I listened to whole album an was vibing to it. Bit I don't think I'd listen to it if it wasn't here. Slso thi one has a great cover.

techno

I do not need any more electronica in my life.

mg pero no estaba para esa ://

Background music (positive)

Acidy

Really enjoyed this. Cool breakbeat dance music

Ik ben geen fan. Een heerlijk nummer op de extended version maar ik vond verder het na een uur en een kwartier wel genoeg. Erg eentonig en niet super spannend. Waarschijnlijk revolutionair qua sound destijds maar het ligt niet in m’n straatje. Een van de minste tot nu toe helaas. Niet ontluisterbaar, soms best even chill maar veel te langdradig zonder richting imo

Great album name by the way. I’ve never really been a raver, but I enjoyed this twice. Had to play it again before rating it to be sure! Whilst I could hear a lot of very similar beats to ‘Born Slippy’ on other tracks along the way, I still found plenty of variation. Some nice mellow moments amongst the larger tunes. Some of the tracks were way tooooo long, but I guess the target audience would disagree with me on that point!

Not many people know (or care) that I absolutely detest 'Born Slippy' it is my least favourite track of the 1990's. For it it to be above 'Two Princes' by the Spin Doctors really takes some doing. For this song alone it has stopped me from watching 'Trainspotting' peaple have said its a great film, but its all in Scottish, so I would be screwed trying to decrypt what they were saying. That song just grates my nerves every time I hear it on the radio at work (yes, still!) Luckily for Underworld (and my nerves), it was not featured on the original release of this album. A plus point in its favour already. It turns out that it is just the aforementioned track I don't like as this was pretty good for a ravey dancey album. Plenty of chilled out moments mixed in with frenetic beats which reminded me of some of The Prodigy's finest moments, which I guess they were aping somewhat. 'Pearl's Girl' is a banger. I'm glad the write-up described it 'Home listening Techno', because that is precisely what I was doing. Nothing fills me with more dread than the ideq of popping an 'E' and wearing out two spots on the carpet doing the Running man at my age. I dread to think what the wife's reaction would be when she walks in sees the bald frayed patches. One of us would have some sort of seizure I'm sure.

Good background while i was working but don't think i'd be listening again.

Great techno album. Maybe not my favorite Underworld work. Great to listen at home, to work or something, but not the best to dance.

Electronica, pretty much always a 1. Not sure why there is a whole album of this.

Not for me. Even playing this in the background was unpleasant.

This list is so wild, boring one hit wonders and then stuff I would have never heard ever. I liked that one

Surprisingly chilled

Had it on while cooking and it was perfect.

730/1001 2026.10.23 🌕🌗🌑🌑🌑

Not really my thing but I didn't mind having it on in the background, it had some nice beats in it

Good

Almost quit this half way through the first song. But the second song saved it. And then the rest was very neurotic again, except the last two. I saved the 2nd song as a fav. But I'll give it a few days and give another listen before I determine if it stays.

Не мій тип електронної музики. Було досить скучно слухати, навіть на фоні. Хоч і декілька місць були непогані.

Черговий неймовірно нудний електронний альбом. При всій повазі до гурту андерворлд, мені це слухати складно.

5/10 Exactly what you'd expect from a mid-90s techno album: occasionally ambient, repetitive, and a little too long. That being said, it has great production for the time. It's stylish in that mid-/late-90s science fiction film soundtrack kind of way. I was never bored while listening to the album, but I can't say it was particularly scintillating listening either - in other words, it's good background music.

Perhaps timing is everything... I'm aware of and enjoy a few of the well known hits of Underworld, but I don't think I've listened to a full album. Well, I listened to this one in the gym this morning, and it worked really, really well! Very energising. I can't say I listened to the lyrics particularly, but the beat was excellent. Under the circumstances that I listened to it, it's a 3.5 rounded up to 4. Under different circumstances, perhaps I would have rounded down...

This is a tough one. As music to listen actively to, not for me, but as background music to iron and do chores to, it is great. It's probably great in a club as well, but I'm several decades out of my clubbing days. So ironing it is. Nothing special, but nothing horrific either 2.5, but rounded down because I probably won't seek it out again.

Ugh I thought this was gonna slap but it’s actually really boring! So disappointed man.

I don't enjoy to club anthems or underground club music adjacent mainly for its repetitive nature. Like, im listening to the same thing hows it different music? Anyway, this one though; this band seems more progressive/experimental in its nature rather than "oh yeah, this beat goes with this sound so let's just combine everything and it just sounds nice". Of course, this album does the same crap majorly, but some tracks re kind of trying to tell a story, a memory or a feeling and combines that thing with that thing(if that makes sense)such as:Confuse the waiter, air towel. Meanwhile, it also succeeds at having one of the most confusing lyrics combined lmao, type of stuff you'd prob not notice while u re shitfaced. But overall speaking, why is every track so goddamn long lol? Average track minute is 7.5 minutes that's fucking insane but i guess, that's the nature of electro. Was not for me but it's decent. 5/10

Struggled 2 stars for me

I’ve been pretty harsh on the electronic albums on this list…I actually didn’t hate this one, definitely can be a vibe at times.

Interesting, and I could keep it on while doing other things

Tällainen ihme housepop ei ainakaan tämän albumin perusteella oo mun juttu

was not expecting to like this, a few of the songs build which help prevent it from being repetitive.

One or two degrees away from music I’d stick on but definitely has remarkable songs. It feels like I’m in a Danny Boyle film.

This is the kind of thing Neo was listening to on his wraparound headphones while he was still loser hacker Thomas Anderson in the Matrix. Underworld still have nearly 4 million monthly listeners on Spotify, I see, but this was not for me. Too intrusive to be ambient, too annoying to enjoy.

Ganska ballt!

Satte på medan jag lagade mat. Fick inte lyssna mer än halva. Förbjuden av sambo.

Rätt bra fram till sista två tre. Hade det bara kapat dem så.

Some is knee-tapable, but most is boring, overly repetitive, and a little morose.

Good

very cool

I can understand why some might like "Second Toughest In The Infants", and I must say it has a great album title but with one exception the tracks are way too long and it gave me a headache. Not for me. 1 "Juanita: Kiteless: To Dream of Love" (2/5) 2 "Banstyle/Sappy's Curry" (2/5) 3 "Confusion The Waitress" (2/5) 4 "Rowla" (2/5) 5 "Pearl's Girl" (2/5) 6 "Air Towel" (2/5) 7 "Blueski" (2/5) 8 "Stagger" (2/5) Total - 16 Average - 2.0 442/1001 235/442 albums reviewed were new to me.

When I started this journey, I saw people complain a lot about too many British albums on the list. I thought it was nonsense but now that I’m just about halfway through, I can see what they mean. I don’t personally mind it though; most of English language music discussion on the internet – at least from my experience – is heavily biased towards American bands, American culture and American nonsense, so I actually welcome being introduced to more British music I haven’t come across yet. This is one of those names that I remember from back then, but have no recollection of what they actually sound like, besides being 90s electronics techno or what have you. Well, what do you know! This is actually really good. Most of these 90s British electronic albums have been okay, but not really something I'd feel tempted to listen to later on, but this one will definitely go on a later rotation too. The kind of stuff I've been looking for but will all thee white label 12"s, compilations and whatnot, this type of music is quite hard to get around to, coming from your standard rock type of approach to releasing music. Just give me a full-length album by an artist and I'm happy. Aight, I'm actually in a good mood today and this happened to hit just the right nerve; let's make it five stars, why the hell not. EDIT: Listened through it for the second time, as I tend to do with every album I'm pondering about giving five stars to that I'm not already familiar with. Yes, it definitely deserves it. What a great find this album is.

It’s okay. I’m not into the singing.

Awful.

A fun classic. Very nostalgic.

1/5

Bops for aliens that ate the wild berries. This probably crushed at the raves.

Not my style. Not too off-putting just not for me

Good enough background electronica. Didn’t do anything to move me but I enjoyed it being on

odd little electronic album, fun drum samples, ethereal vocals, hits some fun breaks. definitely in the realm of IDM, not my favourite kind of electronic music but certainly worth a listen.

Good sound, 3 stars

Sonically I don't mind this, but the length of both the individual tracks and the album as a whole means it really overstays its welcome to me. Rating: 2

I can only judge this on the criteria that I’ve judged the other albums on, which is how much I’ve enjoyed listening to it. Very subjective I know but man, outside of sitting about the house doing ecstasy I can’t imagine a reason to put this on. Good production

Not really my favourite genre

Liked this way more than I thought I would

Feels like the soundtrack to a 00’s street racing game.

i have really fallen in love with a Lot of underworlds discography this year, so much scratches my brain Just right tbh i was surprised that dubnobasswithmyheadman wasnt the album chosen for this list considering dark and long is on there which is one of their more notable songs (it goes Hard fwiw) and in my personal opinion i think a hundred days off would also have been a good album choice as its really solid all around BUT second toughest in the infants has A Lot of strong points and is also highly enjoyable!! i Genuinely love the buildup of the longer songs (juanita kiteless and banstyle/sappys curry), its one of the aspects of house/techno/trance/etc in general that i really enjoy the 15 min runtime really lets you just be In It and personally i dont think either song overstays its welcome overall a really solid album fave - pearls girl, honorable mention - juanita:kiteless:to dream of love

really liked blueski but this sounds like something you’d hear at a vinyl dj set where nobody’s dancing

Really enjoyed this. Loved track 1 straight away - how much roooom it has but also holds you, interesting sounds, amusing spoken word and motifs to pick out but also meditative repetition. Listened round and round for 12 hours straight. Will definitely listen again. Arguably not a 5 star album as I don’t like the last track as much as the other but a 4.5 for sure.

I am not a electronic music aficionado, so Underworld is all new to me. I enjoyed a lot of these tracks, as they are prone to more atmosphere/emotion that I am used to with EDM. My assumption is that this being Welsh has something to do with the uniqueness of it. Dark or corse at times, but also organic sounding thanks to the guitars and poetry of the lyrics. Does have some booming dance beats but doesn't fall into mindless drum machine monotony. Its techno but for smart people maybe?

Has it's ups and downs. Liked it for the most part. 3/5.

IMO “Pretty boring” is kind

Bored halfway through the first song

I need to listen more but liked what i heard this first go round with the album.

3.5

It sounds like I’m damning it with faint praise, but it didn’t feel as long as I thought it might do when I saw it was 75 minutes.

DNF. Just mindless electronic noise.

Not bad grooves but way too long

While I doubt that I will be rushing back to sit through this hour plus record again, I can say that I was impressed by the immaculate vibe this record brings. This sounds like it could be the soundtrack of a stylised British action flick or video game. This is techno that goes places and doesn't suffer from stagnation. It can be ambient and atmospheric in places, while being energetic and heart-racing in others. While the length is unnecessary, this is the most I have enjoyed an electronic album whilst doing this project.

Don't like that

Se vc não está drogado em uma pista de dança nos anos 90, vai precisar se drogar pra escutar o disco. Insuportável. 16 minutos de techno para uma música apenas. Insuportável.

1996 electronic, it was ok.

Banger after banger after banger. An amazing of edm with some rock and really interesting vocals. Really listenable for a long album, and the final track is killer. Also the cover is sick

I love a good electronica album and this fit the boundaries. Good beats, the triple tracks are a great touch.loved the opening and their style is nice, not dance hall, not pure soundscape. It was fun!

Enjoyed this more than I thought or should have. The longer two starter tracks in particular. Although a bit repetitive I liked the guitar flourishes which popped up occasionally which ensured I didn’t become too bored. Another saving grace is that there is an underlying Trainspotting vibe which has to be expected even though as far as I’m aware none of the soundtracks appear on this album. For that you need the Super Deluxe over 4 hours version. I’ll choose life over that. 3/5 22/9/26

Sorry but drum and bass music will always just sound like the Smash Bros Melee menu theme

Not my thing at all. After a while, especially on second listen, I didn’t actively hate it. But it just didn’t do it for me. There were some cool moments where it sounded like Pink Floyd club tunes. But I wouldn’t return to it

430/1089 start the first song to immediately hear the most 90s british techno beat ever made Banstyle/Sappy’s Curry is SO PinkPantheress x Mario Kart Wii coded i really like it this album was right up my street, i quite enjoyed listening to it and could see my rating increasing on repeat listens faves: banstyle, pearl’s girl, air towel, stagger 75/100

..

When Michael Mann calls me to put together a soundtrack for his next film I'll probably use a few tracks from this album. Otherwise, I'm not likely to listen to it again.

Really hypnotic. Love how the rhythms slowly change and the bass keeps pushing along.

Hypnotising. Not in a good way, but in a way that made me post a timestamped picture of their dick in the thread I was reading. Quite scary innit

Not their best album but still god damned good. Cut 2 of these songs and it's a 5

The opening tracks are enough to get this over the 4-star hump for me. Love this group in general, there is some great stuff on here.

Underworld deliver a set of techno songs that land somewhere between the club and atmospheric sides of the genre. The first two tracks are the longest, and they flow between different motifs as they go on. There are touches of jazz, a little rock, but mostly steady techno beats. After those tracks the album stays mostly in a downtempo sound, which is less interesting. The exception is the exciting "Pearls Girl," which is likely the strongest track. The vocals add very little and the surreal lyrics usually don't work - I'd rather this be fully instrumental. There are some nice moments here, but it's stuck between not being quite exhilarating enough and not quite layered enough to work as atmospheric music - at time it feels weirdly empty. It's all too much for such a long album, but might have worked on a shorter one.