Speak (The Roches album)

Last updated
Speak
The Roches - speak.gif
Studio album by
The Roches
Released1989
Genre Pop folk
Length50:17
Label MCA
Producer The Roches, Jeffrey Lesser
The Roches chronology
Crossing Delancey
(1988)		Speak
(1989)		 We Three Kings
(1990)

Speak is an album by the American musical trio the Roches, released in 1989 on MCA Records. [1] [2] The album contained two singles that had accompanying videos, "Big Nuthin'" and "Everyone Is Good". Another track, "Nocturne", was included in the 1988 film Crossing Delancey , which costarred Suzzy Roche. [3]

Contents

"Big Nuthin'" was a minor radio hit. [4] The trio supported the album with a North American tour. [5]

Production

The album was coproduced by the Roches; many songs were first takes. [6] [7] The Roches had been singing many of the songs for years, and decided to flesh them out with drum machines and synthesizers. [8] [9] The sisters shared in the songwriting. [10] "Big Nuthin'" references their appearance on Saturday Night Live . [11] The lyrics to "Cloud Dancing" were inspired by a 16th-century Chinese poet. [12]

Critical reception

Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar empty.svg [13]
Calgary Herald B+ [10]
Chicago Tribune Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar half.svg [14]
Robert Christgau A− [15]
The Encyclopedia of Popular Music Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar empty.svgStar empty.svg [16]
Ottawa Citizen Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar empty.svg [17]
The Rolling Stone Album Guide Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar half.svgStar empty.svg [18]
Spin Alternative Record Guide 8/10 [19]

The New York Times wrote: "Throughout most of the album, there is a feeling that not a note or a word has been wasted, as the trio strives toward a sparseness and clarity that underscores its exquisite vocal blend." [3] The Chicago Tribune concluded that "the Roches' intricate, artfully balanced harmonies again take center stage and are matched by finely honed, complex tales that provoke almost simultaneous laughter and tears." [14]

The Globe and Mail deemed the album "yet another collection of too-cute pop folk ditties." [20] The Ottawa Citizen determined that "the music stretches across a confessional of private thoughts to a streak of outrageous sarcasm." [17]

The Rolling Stone Album Guide noted the "electro-organic landscape." [18] The Spin Alternative Record Guide praised the "Casio-based sound the takes home cooking into outer space." [19]

Track listing

  1. "Speak"
  2. "Big Nuthin'"
  3. "Cloud Dancing"
  4. "Everyone Is Good"
  5. "In the World"
  6. "I Love My Mom"
  7. "Losing Our Job"
  8. "Person with a Past"
  9. "The Anti-Sex Backlash of the 80's"
  10. "Easy"
  11. "Nocturne"
  12. "Merciful God"
  13. "Broken Places"
  14. "Feeling Is Mutual"

Personnel

Musicians

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Roches</span> American vocal trio

The Roches were an American vocal trio of sisters Maggie, Terre and Suzzy Roche, from Park Ridge, New Jersey.

<i>Crossing Delancey</i> 1988 film directed by Joan Micklin Silver

Crossing Delancey is a 1988 American romantic comedy film adapted by Susan Sandler from her play of the same name, and directed by Joan Micklin Silver. It stars Amy Irving and Peter Riegert. The film also features performances from David Hyde-Pierce, Sylvia Miles and Rosemary Harris. Amy Irving was nominated for a Golden Globe for the film, for Best Actress in a Motion Picture - Comedy or Musical.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Suzzy Roche</span> American singer

Suzzy Roche is an American singer, best known for her work with the vocal group The Roches, alongside sisters Maggie and Terre. Suzzy is the youngest of the three, and joined the act in 1977. She is the author of the novels Wayward Saints and The Town Crazy and the children's book Want to Be in a Band?

<i>I Enjoy Being a Girl</i> (album) 1989 studio album by Phranc

I Enjoy Being a Girl is an album by the American musician Phranc, released in 1989. She supported the album with a North American tour.

<i>Play Me Backwards</i> 1992 studio album by Joan Baez

Play Me Backwards is an album by the American musician Joan Baez, released in 1992. The album was nominated for a Grammy for Best Contemporary Folk Recording. Baez supported it with an international tour.

<i>The Roches</i> (album) 1979 studio album by The Roches

The Roches is the 1979 eponymous debut trio album by The Roches, produced by Robert Fripp, who also plays guitar and Fripperies. Also playing on the album are Tony Levin and Jimmy Maelen.

<i>History</i> (Loudon Wainwright III album) 1992 studio album by Loudon Wainwright III

History is an album by the American musician Loudon Wainwright III, released in 1992 on Charisma Records. Wainwright supported the album with North American and European tours.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lucy Wainwright Roche</span> American singer-songwriter (born 1981)

Lucy Wainwright Roche is an American singer-songwriter. Preceded by two EPs, 8 Songs and 8 More, Roche released her debut album, Lucy in October 2010. In 2013, she starred as Jeri in the Stuff You Should Know television show.

<i>Nurds</i> 1980 studio album by the Roches

Nurds is the second studio album by the folk trio the Roches, released on Warner Bros. Records in 1980. It was positively reviewed although not quite as highly as their first album. The Rolling Stone review noted that they were "not just entertaining but downright terrifying". The album peaked at number 130 on the Billboard 200.

<i>Keep On Doing</i> 1982 studio album by The Roches

Keep On Doing is the third studio album by the folk trio the Roches, released in 1982 on Warner Bros. Records. It is their second collaboration with Robert Fripp, following their 1979 debut album.

<i>Another World</i> (The Roches album) 1985 studio album by the Roches

Another World is the fourth studio album by the folk band the Roches. It was released in 1985 on Warner Bros. Records and marked their final release for that label.

<i>We Three Kings</i> (The Roches album) 1990 studio album by The Roches

We Three Kings is an album by the folk trio the Roches, released in 1990. It is a collection of Christmas songs. The sisters wrote two of the album's 24 tracks. We Three Kings is considered a classic of unconventional Christmas music.

<i>Will You Be My Friend?</i> 1994 studio album by The Roches

Will You Be My Friend? is a studio album by the American folk trio the Roches, released in 1994 on Baby Boom Music. It was the group's only album of children's music. Suzzy Roche considered it among the most satisfying albums on which she had worked. The Roches' brother and some of their children appeared on the album. The title track is about having to make friends at a new school.

Holy Smokes is the debut solo album by the American musician Suzzy Roche, released in 1997. It was the first solo album by a member of the Roches. Roche supported the album by embarking on a tour, playing solo with just a guitar.

<i>Songs from an Unmarried Housewife and Mother, Greenwich Village, USA</i> 2000 studio album by Suzzy Roche

Songs from an Unmarried Housewife and Mother, Greenwich Village, USA is the second album by Suzzy Roche, released in 2000.

<i>Places I Have Never Been</i> 1991 studio album by Willie Nile

Places I Have Never Been is an album by the American musician Willie Nile, released in 1991. It was Nile's first album in 10 years, as legal and personal issues prevented him from putting out music. Nile supported the album with a North American tour.

That Woman Is Poison! is an album by the American R&B musician Rufus Thomas. Originally recorded for King Snake Records, it was released in 1988 via Alligator Records. Thomas was in his seventies when he made That Woman Is Poison!

<i>Forgery</i> (album) 1992 studio album by Monks of Doom

Forgery is an album by the American alternative rock band Monks of Doom, released in 1992. It was the band's first album to be distributed by a major label, and their second after the breakup of the members' former band, Camper Van Beethoven.

<i>Sideman Serenade</i> 1989 studio album by David Bromberg

Sideman Serenade is an album by the American musician David Bromberg, released in 1989. It was his first studio album in almost 10 years; he would not release another studio album until 2007. Bromberg had spent much of the 1980s working as a violin maker, after legal difficulties with his previous label, Fantasy Records.

Human Soul is an album by the English musician Graham Parker.

References

  1. ↑ "The Roches Biography, Songs, & Albums". AllMusic.
  2. ↑ Meyer, Marianne (May 3, 1992). "The Roches Returning to Tarrytown" – via NYTimes.com.
  3. 1 2 Holden, Stephen (15 Nov 1989). "The Pop Life". The New York Times. p. C24.
  4. ↑ Buckley, Peter (December 10, 2003). "The Rough Guide to Rock". Rough Guides – via Google Books.
  5. ↑ Sullivan, Jim (8 Feb 1990). "The Roches: Folk with a Touch of Humor". Arts and Film. The Boston Globe. p. 74.
  6. ↑ Heim, Chris (3 Nov 1989). "Ten years ago, three sisters...". Friday. Chicago Tribune. p. 63.
  7. ↑ Mitchell, Justin (10 Feb 1990). "'Scary' situation reaping rewards for Roches trio". Windsor Star. Scripps Howard. p. C2.
  8. ↑ Gettelman, Parry (19 Jan 1990). "Roches Have Molded Sister-Speak into Blooming Career". Calendar. Orlando Sentinel. p. 14.
  9. ↑ Takiff, Jonathan (6 Apr 1990). "Out of the Art Crowd". Features. Philadelphia Daily News. p. 52.
  10. 1 2 Mayes, Alison (8 Feb 1990). "Recent Releases". Calgary Herald. p. D2.
  11. ↑ Epstein, Warren (23 Jan 1990). "Roches continue love affair with fans at Boulder concert". Colorado Springs Gazette-Telegraph. p. F4.
  12. ↑ Brown, Joe (9 Feb 1990). "Roches' 'Speak' Out with Familiar Sound". The Washington Post. p. N24.
  13. ↑ "Speak - The Roches | Songs, Reviews, Credits | AllMusic" – via www.allmusic.com.
  14. 1 2 Heim, Chris (23 Nov 1989). "Rave Recordings". Chicago Tribune. p. 23I.
  15. ↑ "Robert Christgau: CG: The Roches". www.robertchristgau.com.
  16. ↑ Larkin, Colin (May 27, 2011). "The Encyclopedia of Popular Music". Omnibus Press – via Google Books.
  17. 1 2 Erskine, Evelyn (19 Jan 1990). "The Roches back with folk revival". Ottawa Citizen. p. F6.
  18. 1 2 The Rolling Stone Album Guide. Random House. 1992. p. 596.
  19. 1 2 Spin Alternative Record Guide. Vintage Books. 1995. pp. 334–335.
  20. ↑ Niester, Alan (18 Jan 1990). "Speak The Roches". The Globe and Mail. p. C8.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.