St. Etienne's second album, So Tough, is a remarkable step forward from Fox Base Alpha, boasting a stronger set of songs and a sharper focus. Not only are the pop melodies catchier than before, the group's mastery of swinging '60s arrangements and Eurodisco rhythms is positively infectious, and Sarah Cracknell's light, airy vocals are alluringly dreamy, giving the record a wonderful, floating quality. The cool club beats, occasional samples, and synthesized textures provide an inviting sonic backdrop for Bob Stanley and Pete Wiggs' infectious pop songs, and while the singles "You're in a Bad Way" and "Hobart Paving" stand out, there are several other tracks here that are nearly as good, making So Tough an irresistible set of danceable, well-constructed pop.
1 Mario's Cafe
2 Railway Jam
3 Date With Spelman
4 Calico
5 Avenue
6 You're in a Bad Way
7 Memo to Pricey
8 Hobart Paving
9 Leafhound
10 Clock Milk
11 Conchita Martinez
12 No Rainbows for Me
13 Here Comes Clown Feet
14 Junk the Morgue
15 Chicken Soup
CD Only Bonus Tracks:
1 Everything Flows
2 Railway Jam (Vocal Version)
3 Who Do You Think You Are?
4 Some Place Else
5 Duke Duvet
6 Paper
7 Johnny in the Echo Cafe
8 Archway People
9 California Snow Story
10 Join Our Club
11 Everlasting
12 Snowplough
13 Rainy Day Women
14 Peterloo
15 I'm Too Sexy
16 Stranger in Paradise
17 Hobart Paving (Van Dyke Parks Version)
