Second Toughest in the Infants (1996) wasn't actually Underworld's sophomore album, but it was their second full-length (fourth overall) since progressive house DJ Darren Emerson joined the core lineup of Rick Smith and Karl Hyde in 1991, transforming them from a mediocre dance-rock duo into one of the most original, acclaimed, and successful electronic groups of the '90s. As with its predecessor, 1994's Dubnobasswithmyheadman, Second Toughest was a critical success as well as a commercial hit, reaching the Top 10 of the U.K. album charts and converting a significant number of American listeners right around the time that 'electronica' was being hyped as the next big thing in the United States. In comparison to Dubnobass..., Second Toughest was less club-centric and more diverse in its approach, flirting with drum'n'bass rhythms on a few cuts, experimenting with slide guitar loops on the elegant 'Blueski,' and slowing to a crawl for its final song, the dreamy 'Stagger.' The trio proved to be masters of pacing and dynamics, crafting lengthy epics (the album's first two tracks collectively exceed half-an-hour) which excitedly build and release, flowing through vivid melodic themes and interlocking rhythmic patterns, and segueing from intricate breakbeats to calmer, more downtempo passages. The album's multi-part suites also harkened back to another era of 'progressive' music, the prog rock of the '70s, and like that period's most popular groups, Underworld made brainy, ambitious, mystical music that was also accessible and listener-friendly. The album also remains remarkable for Hyde's surrealist, cryptic, free-associative lyrics, particularly on stand-out tracks like the choppy, Al Green-referencing single 'Pearl's Girl.' The album's most ecstatic moment, however, is the buzzing, gleeful 'Rowla,' which piles on dazzling, distorted synth riffs, hushes down for a bit, and then does it all over again. Second Toughest in the Infants endures as a landmark album, spotlighting Underworld at their creative peak, and remaining an important document of an era when experimental, cerebral electronic dance music received significant mainstream attention.
Sample | Title/Composer | Performer | Time | Stream |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | 16:37 | |||
2 | Darren Emerson / Karl Hyde / Rick Smith | 15:23 | ||
3 | 06:47 | |||
4 | Karl Hyde / Rick Smith | 06:32 | ||
5 | 09:37 | |||
6 | Karl Hyde / Rick Smith | 07:37 | ||
7 | 02:56 | |||
8 | Karl Hyde / Rick Smith | 07:38 |
Second Toughest in the Infants wasn't actually Underworld's sophomore album, but it was their second full-length since progressive house DJ Darren Emerson joined the core lineup of Rick Smith and Karl Hyde in 1991, transforming them from a mediocre dance-rock duo into one of the most original, acclaimed, and successful electronic groups of the '90s. My second pass was: Roundoff, full-in straight, whip, flic flac, full-in full-out straight, whip. USA Gymnastics: What is the toughest skill you've ever learned?
By Luan Peszek
Photos By Volker Minkus
Photos By Volker Minkus
Kalon Ludvigson won a gold medal and two silvers at three World Cup competitions in Belgium, Poland and Germany over the last three weeks. He is the first U.S. men's tumbler to win a gold medal at a World Cup in 10 years. We caught up with Ludvigson when he returned from Germany and asked about his experiences. Here's what he had to say.
USA Gymnastics: How did it feel to win the gold medal in tumbling at the World Cup in Germany?
Kalon: It was amazing. Going into finals in third place, I had the chance to watch the final two competitors compete. My coach Justen and I were watching the scores flash on the score board, and I think Justen was more nervous than I was. It was a huge relief, and I had an overall feeling of satisfaction when I learned that I had won.
USA Gymnastics: How does it feel to know you are the first men's tumbler from the U.S. in 10 years to win a gold medal at World Cup?
Kalon: It's awesome to know that I'm competitive at the world level and not only fighting for medals, but GOLD medals.
![Second Toughest Flac Second Toughest Flac](/uploads/1/2/5/7/125779218/557183050.jpg)
USA Gymnastics: You also won silver medals at the World Cups in Belgium and Poland. Can you talk about each of these competitions?
Kalon: I was happy to win a silver medal in Belgium, but I wasn't happy that I lost by 0.1. I had some technical errors on my first of two passes which cost me. My final pass was the highest scoring pass of the entire competition, so without the mistake I could have won. It was bittersweet in Belgium.
My coach and I decided to be more conservative for the event in Poland. After the first pass in finals, I was in first place. After my second pass, which was lower in difficulty than normal, I dropped to second. My coach and I weren't thrilled about my placement, but it's still a World Cup silver medal.
USA Gymnastics: What were your tumbling passes?
Kalon: The two passes I competed in the Germany World Cup were – Roundoff, full-in full-out straight, whip, flic flac, full-in straight, whip, flic flac, full-in double full-out straight (also called a Miller). My second pass was: Roundoff, full-in straight, whip, flic flac, full-in full-out straight, whip, flic flac, full-in full-out tuck.
USA Gymnastics: What was the best part of the trip?
Kalon: My favorite part, besides winning of course, was being with all of the athletes. I'm good friends with all of the American trampolinists who competed and I also have a really good friend from Great Britain named Kat. My favorite part of the trip was hanging out with my coach, the Americans, and Kat.
USA Gymnastics: What is your next goal?
Kalon: My next goal is to train hard and perform well at World Championships in November where I hope to come home with a medal.
![Toughest Toughest](https://www.91flac.com/get_img/album/505029.jpg)
USA Gymnastics: What is the best part of tumbling?
Kalon: The best part of tumbling is that the sport teaches athletes to push themselves and do things that others don't think are possible.
USA Gymnastics: What is the toughest skill you've ever learned?
Kalon: The biggest skill I've ever done is a triple twisting, triple back. It's called a full-full-full. I've never competed it, though.
USA Gymnastics: What is your favorite skill to do in tumbling?
Kalon: My favorite skill is either a Miller (full-in double full-out) or a triple pike.
USA Gymnastics: Do you train on the trampoline for your tumbling skills?
Kalon: My coach has me do some drills on trampoline, but for the most part I don't do very much trampoline. I mostly use the rod floor, tumble track, or the floor exercise.
USA Gymnastics: Walk me through a normal day for you.
Kalon: I wake up at 7:30 a.m. and go for a mile run. I do morning training from 10:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m. After morning practice I relax and do homework. My second training begins at 4:00 p.m. and goes until 6:00 or 7:00 p.m., depending on how much my coach wants me to do. I condition for 30 minutes then run for 2 miles before dinner, and I go to sleep around 11:00 p.m.
USA Gymnastics: Are you going to school?
Kalon: Yes, I'm taking online classes from Idaho State University. I'm a pharmacy major.
Congratulations on your success and good luck at the World Championships.