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Littledeath is the fourth studio album by Scottish band Love and Money, released by Iona Gold in the UK in 1993 and Mesa Records in the US in 1994. The album produced one single, "The Last Ship on the River".

Littledeath
Studio album by Love and Money
Released	1993
Length	52:57
Label	Iona Gold Mesa Records (US)
Producer	Love and Money
Love and Money chronology
Dogs in the Traffic (1991) Littledeath (1993) Cheap Pearls and Whisky Dreams – The Best Of (1999)

Background

Despite the strained relationship between Love and Money and their label, Phonogram, the band were commissioned to record their fourth studio album following the release of Dogs in the Traffic in 1991.[1] However, when the band presented approximately six new tracks to Phonogram, the label felt they were not commercial enough and lacked hit potential. The two parties were unable to come to an agreement, resulting in Love and Money leaving the label in late 1992 and completing the recording of Littledeath themselves.[2]

Once completed, the band secured a deal to release Littledeath on the Glasgow-based independent label Iona Gold. Douglas MacIntyre told the Evening Express in 1994, "The freedom we now have is very important. We didn't want to sign to another major label. When the opportunity to work with Iona came along it was a real blessing."[2] Speaking of the material on Littledeath, MacIntyre added, "It's a more acoustic approach, and we're just more interested in writing good songs rather than having hit singles."[2] In regards to the album's title, James Grant told The List, "I'd like it to mean like a kind of catharsis."[3]

Littledeath was well-received critically but failed to achieve commercial success. Love and Money split in 1994 and Grant embarked on a solo career.[4] In 2011, Grant reflected on the album, calling it "good, but flawed". He added, "I think that is partly down to the production. There are some very good songs on it, but I am not sure about the whole album. It is a record that I am very fond of, and it is a record that is very close to my heart."[5]

Critical reception

Professional ratings

Review scores
Source	Rating
AllMusic	[6]
Q	[7]

On its release, Stuart Maconie of Q wrote, "Many will welcome this new release, a typically swish affair comprising easy on the ear tunes played with discreet soulfulness. Jazzier and more acoustic in execution than previous releases, its non-perspiring politeness can become anaesthetising but more often it has the comfortable feel of a very expensive shirt."[7] Mike Davies of The Birmingham Post stated, "Anyone who has followed the band's polished fusion of white soul and urban folk over the years won't be disappointed by this latest excursion. Though the downbeat, wounded and sometimes self-loathing tones of songs like 'Love Is Like a Wave', 'Bitches Beach' and 'Ugly As Sin' are hardly likely to have you skipping round the room."[8] In a retrospective review, Alex Henderson of AllMusic commented, "Littledeath demonstrates that the band still had a lot to offer [before their breakup]. The writing is consistently strong, and Grant is expressive throughout the CD. Creatively, this album is successful; commercially, it didn't do Love & Money justice in 1994. Nonetheless, Littledeath was a rewarding swan song for the Scottish outfit."[6]

Track listing

Personnel

Love and Money

• James Grant – vocals (tracks 2–12), backing vocals (tracks 2–8, 10–11), guitar (tracks 2–13)
• Douglas MacIntyre – bass (tracks 2–12), mandolin (tracks 2, 13), guitar (track 3), backing vocals (tracks 4–8, 10–11)
• Paul McGeechan – keyboards (tracks 2–13), piano (track 12), accordion (track 13)
• Gordon Wilson – drums (tracks 2–12), percussion (tracks 8, 11)

Additional musicians

• David McLuskey, Ken McLuskey – backing vocals (track 2)
• Gregor Reid – congas (track 2)
• David Crichton – fiddle (track 2)
• Gavin McComb – backing vocals (tracks 4–5, 11)
• Gwen Stewart – backing vocals (tracks 4–5, 7)
• Fraser Speirs – harmonica (tracks 4–5, 11)
• Phil Bancroft, The Weir Brothers – horns (tracks 4, 7)
• Ronnie Goodman – triangle (track 4), percussion (tracks 5, 7, 9)
• Louise Rutkowski – vocals (tracks 6, 13)
• Stuart MacIntyre – vocals (track 13)

Production

• Love and Money – producers, mixing
• Brian Young – engineer, mixing
• Gavin McComb, Keith Mitchell – engineers
• Kenny Paterson – additional engineer
• Bob McDowall – mastering

Other

• Craig Mulholland – front cover painting
• Jim McLean – photography

References

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