Release date 9 March 1993 Label Mercury Records | ||
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Released 9 March 1993 (1993-03-09) Recorded Summer – Autumn 1992 at RMS, London Length 48:29 (UK version)55:40 (US version) Genres Alternative dance, House music, Electropop, Electronic dance music, Electronica, Ambient house Similar Saint Etienne albums, Other albums | ||
So Tough (1993) is the second studio album by British band Saint Etienne. It is their highest-charting album to date, reaching No. 7 on the UK Album Chart. The album takes its title from the Beach Boys album Carl and the Passions – "So Tough".
Contents
The album was indebted to sixties classics, The Who Sell Out by The Who, Smile by The Beach Boys and Head by The Monkees. The album was originally intended as a concept album which starts at Mario's Cafe in London then travels around the world, however it came to be viewed as a solely London album.
Cover
The album cover features a picture of lead singer Sarah Cracknell aged 6 taken by her father Derek Cracknell.
Releases
The album was reissued as a limited edition 2-CD set with You Need a Mess of Help to Stand Alone.
The US release added "Join Our Club" (3:22), which had been a UK single in 1992. "Who Do You Think You Are" (3:49) is included on some US versions between "Here Come Clown Feet" and "Junk the Morgue". "You're in a Bad Way" (3:08), and "Hobart Paving" (4:57) are presented in their single versions, including extra instrumentation. The former is longer, while the latter features a drum pattern not present on the original version.
The album was reissued on 31 August 2009, as part of the ongoing Deluxe Editions of the band's recordings. The new release features B-sides, rare and unreleased tracks.
1993 release
All tracks written by Stanley, Wiggs; except where indicated.
Personnel
The liner notes list the album's personnel as follows:
B-sides
Songs
1Mario's Cafe4:38
2Railway Jam4:15
3Date With Spelman0:18