Love and Other Demons (album)
Love and Other Demons | ||||
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Studio album by | ||||
Released | 1996 | |||
Recorded | 1995 | |||
Label | Food[1] | |||
Producer | Paul Corkett, Strangelove | |||
Strangelove chronology | ||||
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Love and Other Demons is the second album by the English band Strangelove, released in 1996.[2][3] The first single was "Living with the Human Machines".[4]
The album peaked at No. 44 on the UK Albums Chart.[5]
Production
[edit]The album was produced by Paul Corkett and the band.[6] Frontman Patrick Duff had to push himself into short periods of sobriety to work on the songs; he entered rehab after the recording sessions were completed.[6] Brett Anderson contributed backing vocals to "She's Everywhere".[7] "Sway" addresses Duff's alcoholism.[8]
Critical reception
[edit]Review scores | |
---|---|
Source | Rating |
AllMusic | [9] |
The Encyclopedia of Popular Music | [10] |
NME | 7/10[11] |
Martin C. Strong | 6/10[12] |
NME wrote that "it's easy to dismiss Love And Other Demons as just another load of maudlin toss, but, as a refreshing counterfoil to the current dizzgo pop Bis-ness, it's reason enough to occasionally stop the gladness."[11] The Guardian opined that the "music has grown smooth, and frankly a trifle Adult Orientated ... True, 'Beautiful Alone' might very well be The Smiths, and 'Casualties' builds to a roaring guitar maelstrom, but elsewhere it's strings, piano and tasteful harmonies."[13] The Observer noted that the album "sounded like a series of exorcisms, particularly its beautiful keynote 'Sway'."[8]
The Sunday Times called the album "classy and assured" and noted the "uncommonly poignant lyrics."[14] The South China Morning Post determined that "Strangelove are also masters of the crescendo—'Casualties' starts calmly, but climaxes with a cascade of grinding power chords."[7] The Times concluded that Strangelove's "emotional strength lies in a certain heroic despair."[15]
AllMusic wrote that "this is the equivalent of a dormitory's ubiquitous sourpuss reading Proust only when other people are watching."[9]
Track listing
[edit]No. | Title | Length |
---|---|---|
1. | "Living with the Human Machines" | |
2. | "Beautiful Alone" | |
3. | "Sway" | |
4. | "20th Century Cold" | |
5. | "She's Everywhere" | |
6. | "#1432" | |
7. | "Casualties" | |
8. | "Spiders and Flies" | |
9. | "Elin's Photograph" | |
10. | "The Sea of Black" |
References
[edit]- ^ Rendle, Steve (October 3, 1996). "Strangelove: Love And Other Demons". Features. The Evening Post. Wellington. p. 20.
- ^ "Strangelove Biography, Songs, & Albums". AllMusic.
- ^ Moran, Caitlin (Jun 1, 1996). "Shorn free". Melody Maker. 73 (22): 21.
- ^ Moran, Caitlin (April 12, 1996). "The white heat of technophobia". Features. The Times. p. 31.
- ^ "STRANGELOVE | full Official Chart History | Official Charts Company". www.officialcharts.com.
- ^ a b "Wreck 'n' roll". The Guardian. 7 June 1996. p. T20.
- ^ a b Davy, Steve (July 26, 1996). "Strangelove". Features. South China Morning Post. p. 5.
- ^ a b Taylor, Sam (8 Feb 1998). "Just like Radiohead. But without the fans". The Observer Review Page. The Observer. p. 9.
- ^ a b "Strangelove - Love & Other Demons Album Reviews, Songs & More | AllMusic" – via www.allmusic.com.
- ^ Larkin, Colin (2006). The Encyclopedia of Popular Music. Vol. 7. MUZE. pp. 788–789.
- ^ a b "NME.COM - STRANGELOVE - Love And Other Demons - 8/6/1996". NME. August 17, 2000. Archived from the original on 2000-08-17.
- ^ Strong, M.C. (2003). The Great Indie Discography (2nd ed.). Canongate. p. 1003.
- ^ Sweating, Adam (14 June 1996). "Strangelove Love And Other Demons". The Guardian. p. TT14.
- ^ Smith, Andrew (June 16, 1996). "STRANGELOVE Love and Other Demons". The Sunday Times. Culture. p. 28.
- ^ Sexton, Paul (January 13, 1997). "Theatrical angst on show". Features. The Times. p. 16.