Love and Other Demons (album)

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]

Professional ratings

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]