Released 1979 Length 39:53 | Label Warner Bros. | |
Recorded September–November 1978 Studio | ||
The Roches is the 1979 eponymous debut album by The Roches, produced by Robert Fripp, who also plays guitar and Fripperies (a variation of his Frippertronics). Also playing on the album are Tony Levin, Larry Fast and Jimmy Maelen of King Crimson and Peter Gabriel fame.
Contents
Track listing
- "We" (Suzzy Roche, Terre Roche, Maggie Roche) – 2:35
- "Hammond Song" (Margaret Roche) – 5:46
- "Mr. Sellack" (Terre Roche) – 4:03
- "Damned Old Dog" (Margaret Roche) – 4:07
- "The Troubles" (Suzzy Roche, Terre Roche, Maggie Roche) – 3:27
- "The Train" (Suzzy Roche) – 3:30
- "The Married Men" (Margaret Roche) – 4:32
- "Runs in the Family" (Terre Roche) – 3:29
- "Quitting Time" (Margaret Roche) – 4:19
- "Pretty and High" (Margaret Roche) – 4:05
Reception
The album was well received. Jay Cocks in Time magazine wrote that the Roches music "is startling, lacerating and amusing". Robert Christgau's review stated "Robert Fripp's austere production of this witty, pretty music not only abjures alien instrumentation but also plays up the quirks of the Roches' less-than-commanding voices and acoustic guitars. Thus it underscores their vulnerability and occasional desperation and counteracts their flirtations with the coy and the fey. The result is not a perfect record, but rather one whose imperfections are lovingly mitigated." It was voted #11 for the year in The Village Voice Pazz & Jop Critics Poll.
It has continued to be highly rated. AllMusic characterized it as a "mischievous and highly original folk blend". And The Rolling Stone Album Guide gave it its classic rating calling it an "unprecedented thrill" that was "spare, loose, pointed" and equating it to the Greenwich Village version of the New York punk explosion.
Cover versions
The song "The Married Men" was covered by Phoebe Snow on her 1979 album Against the Grain.
Personnel
Musicians:
Production:
Other credits: