Dogs in the Traffic
Dogs in the Traffic is the third studio album by Scottish band Love and Money, released by Fontana in 1991. The album reached No. 41 on the UK Albums Chart. Three singles were released from the album: "My Love Lives in a Dead House", "Looking for Angeline" and "Winter". "Looking for Angeline" also served as the lead track on the band's 1991 EP "Wishing Waters". "Winter" peaked at No. 52 on the UK Singles Chart. In 2022, "Dogs in the Traffic" received a 30th anniversary reissue on CD and vinyl by Past Night from Glasgow . Three different editions of the vinyl were released: black, transparent red and limited edition transparent green vinyl. The CD contains six bonus tracks. Background. Following the release of 1988's "Strange Kind of Love", Love and Money returned to the studio to record their follow-up, "The Mother's Boy". However, when the new material was delivered to the band's record label, it was not warmly received. The release was scrapped and the band returned to the studio to start afresh. One of the tracks from the album, "Pappa Death", would be included on "Dogs in the Traffic". Grant  told "Vox" in 1991: "I just wanted to change the way the band was perceived but I really went overboard. It was nervous breakdown material. At the time, I was really getting into a misanthropic swing; it was like Bukowski, Celine, Rimbaud." Speaking of "Dogs in the Traffic" to Brian Hogg, Grant recalled in 1993: "Much of the record is like an open wound. People have said it's grim and depressing and I take that as a compliment. I'm glad that's come across. It's the first record I've made that I felt truly represented me  and the way I feel." Grant had to persuade Phonogram to allow some of the tracks on "Dogs in the Traffic" to be included on the release. He recalled to "The Scotsman" in 1993: "I'm not averse to being patted on the back but Phonogram never said: 'That's good.' They said: 'We're looking for something more commercial.' I had to get down on my knees and beg, basically, for some of the stuff to be included on "Dogs in the Traffic"." Critical reception. On its release, Philip Thomas of "Q" wrote: "The production and musicianship live up  to the quality of the songs, and James Grant is in possession of an almost faultless set of vocal cords. Further, Grant's pre-occupations (relationships, human frailty, loneliness) and his soulful warble are engaging." Craig McLean of "Vox" concluded: ""Dogs in the Traffic" is relaxingly refreshing, gently evincing that this soft-on-the-ears lovelorn lark doesn't have to be flaccid pap." Adam Sweeting of "The Guardian" wrote: ""Dogs in the Traffic" finds Love and Money playing down their Scots-funk inclinations in favour of smoothly-turned adult rock-pop, frequently picking out their easeful melodies on acoustic  guitars and tinting them with fastidiously-wrought vocal harmonies. James Grant's songs are never quite bland, but never exciting. File under Easy Listening." Peter Kinghorn of the "Evening Chronicle" commented: "Each track is a well crafted gem with no trace of a flaw or weakness and their emphasis on melody, combined with quality performance, is such a refreshing change." Tonia Macari of the "Evening Express" stated: "The album is a welcome new chapter in Love and Money's distinct style and musical originality. Throughout the album they have managed to retain their distinctive heavenly melodies but show a more  mature depth and diversity to both their sound and lyrics." Personnel. Love and Money Additional musicians Production Other