The Roches (album)

Last updated
The Roches
The Roches - The Roches.jpg
Studio album by
The Roches
ReleasedApril 1979
RecordedSeptember–November 1978
Studio The Hit Factory, New York City
Genre Folk
Length39:53
Label Warner Bros.
Producer Robert Fripp
The Roches chronology
Seductive Reasoning
(1975)		The Roches
(1979)		 Nurds
(1980)

The Roches is the eponymous debut album by the Roches, released on the Warner Bros. Records in April 1979. The album was produced and features electric guitar parts by Robert Fripp; also playing on the album are percussionist Jimmy Maelen and Fripp's future King Crimson bandmate Tony Levin.

Contents

Background

Paul Simon had encountered Maggie and Terre Roche earlier, and asked them to sing on the song "Was a Sunny Day" on his 1973 album There Goes Rhymin' Simon . Despite further support, the Roches disliked the involvement of Simon's record company, particularly their advice that the sisters "wear hipper clothes." Terre Roche later said:

We were humiliated... We wanted to get out of the whole situation. We had a friend in Hammond, Louisiana, who was running a kung fu school. We gave up our apartment and told the record company, ‘We’re not going to promote the record anymore; we’re going away for a while.’ This was two weeks after the record came out. Maggie wrote the "Hammond Song" about the whole experience. [1]

Reception

Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar half.svg [2]
Pitchfork 9.5/10 [3]
Rolling Stone Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar half.svgStar empty.svg [4]
The Rolling Stone Album Guide Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svg [5]
Spin Alternative Record Guide 10/10 [6]
The Village Voice A [7]

The album was well received by contemporary critics. John Rockwell of The New York Times called it "... the best pop record of 1979 thus far. In fact, it's so superior that it will be remarkable if another disk comes along to supplant it as best album of the year." [8] Rockwell subsequently picked it as the best album of that year, stating that it was "... also the scariest record, because the Roches probe emotions and even fears that most pop — most art, even — does not approach." [9] Jay Cocks of Time called it "startling, lacerating and amusing". [10] The Village Voice critic Robert Christgau said that "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." [7] It was voted #11 for the year in The Village Voice's annual Pazz & Jop Critics Poll. [11]

Retrospective assessments have also been positive. AllMusic characterized it as a "mischievous and highly original folk blend". [2] Rating the album 10/10 in the Spin Alternative Record Guide , Ann Powers praised Fripp's guitar accompaniment and spare "audio vérité" production but noted his efforts "would be merely a gorgeous surface if not for the songs themselves. Suzzy and Terre each contribute winners, but it's Maggie whose genius dominates." [6] The Rolling Stone Album Guide gave it five stars, calling it an "unprecedented thrill" and a Greenwich Village folk parallel to the New York punk explosion. [5]

Cover versions and samples

"The Married Men" was covered by Phoebe Snow on her 1979 album Against the Grain . [12]

"Hammond Song" was covered by The Colourfield on their 1985 debut album Virgins and Philistines and by Whitney on their 2020 album Candid. [13] It was also covered by salyu x salyu on the 2012 album s(o)un(d)beams+.[ citation needed ]

The Avalanches sampled "Hammond Song" on "We Will Always Love You", the first single from their 2020 album of the same name. [14]

Track listing

  1. "We" (Suzzy Roche, Terre Roche, Margaret Roche) – 2:35
  2. "Hammond Song" (Margaret Roche) – 5:46
  3. "Mr. Sellack" (Terre Roche) – 4:03
  4. "Damned Old Dog" (Margaret Roche) – 4:07
  5. "The Troubles" (Suzzy Roche, Terre Roche, Margaret Roche) – 3:27
  6. "The Train" (Suzzy Roche) – 3:30
  7. "The Married Men" (Margaret Roche) – 4:32
  8. "Runs in the Family" (Terre Roche) – 3:29
  9. "Quitting Time" (Margaret Roche) – 4:19
  10. "Pretty and High" (Margaret Roche) – 4:05

Personnel

Musicians

Production

Other credits

Charts

YearChartPeak
position
1979US Billboard 200 58

Related Research Articles

<i>Another Green World</i> 1975 studio album by Eno

Another Green World is the third solo studio album by Brian Eno, released by Island Records on 14 November 1975. The album marked a transition from the rock-based music of Eno's previous releases toward the minimalist instrumentals of his late 1970s ambient work. Only five of its fourteen tracks feature vocals, a contrast with his previous vocal albums.

<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>Fear of Music</i> 1979 studio album by Talking Heads

Fear of Music is the third studio album by the American new wave band Talking Heads, released on August 3, 1979, by Sire Records. It was recorded at locations in New York City during April and May 1979 and was produced by Brian Eno and Talking Heads. The album reached number 21 on the Billboard 200 and number 33 on the UK Albums Chart. It spawned the singles "Life During Wartime", "I Zimbra", and "Cities".

<i>Brighten the Corners</i> 1997 studio album by Pavement

Brighten the Corners is the fourth studio album by American indie rock band Pavement, released on February 11, 1997, by Matador Records. The album received very positive reviews from critics.

<i>Discipline</i> (King Crimson album) 1981 studio album by King Crimson

Discipline is the eighth studio album by English progressive rock band King Crimson, released on 2 October 1981 by E.G. Records in the United Kingdom and by Warner Bros. Records in the United States.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Suzzy Roche</span> American singer (born 1956)

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>Dub Housing</i> 1978 studio album by Pere Ubu

Dub Housing is the second album by American rock band Pere Ubu. Released in 1978 by Chrysalis Records, the album is now regarded as one of their best, described by Trouser Press as "simply one of the most important post-punk recordings."

<i>Into the Music</i> 1979 studio album by Van Morrison

Into the Music is the 11th studio album by Northern Irish singer-songwriter Van Morrison, and was released in August 1979. It includes "Bright Side of the Road", which peaked at number 63 on the UK Singles Chart, and other songs in which Morrison sought to return to his more profound and transcendent style after the pop-oriented Wavelength. The record received favourable reviews from several music critics and was named as one of the year's best albums in the Pazz & Jop critics' poll.

<i>Trouble in Paradise</i> (Randy Newman album) 1983 studio album by Randy Newman

Trouble in Paradise is the seventh studio album by the American musician Randy Newman, released in 1983. It includes "I Love L.A." and the first single, "The Blues", a duet with Paul Simon. "Same Girl" is about a woman addicted to heroin. Newman supported the album playing shows with the Roches.

<i>The Blue Mask</i> 1982 studio album by Lou Reed

The Blue Mask is the eleventh solo studio album by American rock musician Lou Reed, released on February 23, 1982, by RCA Records. Reed had returned to the label after having left Arista Records. The album was released around Reed's 40th birthday, and covers topics of marriage and settling down, alongside themes of violence, paranoia, and alcoholism.

<i>Squeezing Out Sparks</i> 1979 studio album by Graham Parker

Squeezing Out Sparks is the fourth studio album by English singer-songwriter Graham Parker and his band the Rumour. The album was released in March 1979. Although the Rumour were not credited on the cover, their name was included on the album label.

<i>Exposure</i> (Robert Fripp album) 1979 studio album by Robert Fripp

Exposure is the debut solo album by guitarist and composer Robert Fripp. Unique among Fripp solo projects for its focus on the pop song format, it grew out of his previous collaborations with David Bowie, Peter Gabriel, and Daryl Hall, and the latter two singers appear on the album. Released in 1979, it peaked at No. 79 on the Billboard Album Chart. Most of the lyrics were provided by the poet and lyricist Joanna Walton, who also coined the term "Frippertronics" to describe Fripp's tape looping techniques.

<i>The Best Best of Fela Kuti</i> 1999 compilation album by Fela Kuti

The Best Best of Fela Kuti is a 2-CD compilation album by Nigerian Afrobeat artist Fela Kuti, released in 1999 by MCA Records. It was issued in the United States in 2000 as part of a reissue series of Kuti's albums. The album was reissued as The Best of the Black President in 2009 by Knitting Factory Records and received universal acclaim from music critics. A companion 2-CD compilation, also released in 1999, was reissued in the U.S. in 2013 by Knitting Factory as The Best of the Black President 2.

<i>Real People</i> (album) 1980 studio album by Chic

Real People is the fourth studio album by American R&B band Chic, released on Atlantic Records in 1980. It includes the singles "Rebels Are We", "Real People", and "26".

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

Nurds is the second studio album by the American musical trio the Roches, released on Warner Bros. Records in 1980. It peaked at number 130 on the Billboard 200. Nurds was produced by Roy Halee.

<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 American musical trio the Roches, released in 1985 on Warner Bros. Records. The trio supported the album with a North American tour.

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

We Three Kings is an album by the American 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>Tough</i> (Kurtis Blow album) 1982 studio album by Kurtis Blow

Tough is the third studio album by the American rapper Kurtis Blow, released in 1982 through Mercury Records. The recording sessions took place at Greene St. Recording in New York. The album was produced by James B. Moore and Robert Ford Jr.

<i>The League of Gentlemen</i> (album) 1981 studio album by Robert Fripp and the League of Gentlemen

The League of Gentlemen is an album by Robert Fripp. The music on the album was performed by members of a band which toured Europe and North America throughout 1980 under the name of the League of Gentlemen. The album was released in the UK in 1981 in vinyl format on the Editions EG label. The original album has never been reissued in full on CD, however some tracks are on the abridged Robert Fripp and the League of Gentlemen God Save the King CD release.

References

  1. ↑ "Maggie Roche: The Hidden Heart of The Roches". pastemagazine.com. January 24, 2017.
  2. 1 2 Cook, Stephen. The Roches at AllMusic. Retrieved 4 December 2005.
  3. ↑ Cush, Andy (November 27, 2022). "The Roches: The Roches Album Review". Pitchfork . Retrieved November 27, 2022.
  4. ↑ "The Roches > Album Review". Rolling Stone . No. 292. May 31, 1979.[ dead link ]
  5. 1 2 Soults, Franklin (2004). "The Roches". In Brackett, Nathan; Hoard, Christian (eds.). The New Rolling Stone Album Guide . London: Fireside. pp.  694–695. ISBN   0-7432-0169-8.
  6. 1 2 Powers, Ann (1995). "The Roches". In Weisbard, Eric; Marks, Craig (eds.). Spin Alternative Record Guide. New York: Vintage Books. pp. 334–335. ISBN   0-679-75574-8.
  7. 1 2 Christgau, Robert (April 30, 1979). "Christgau's Consumer Guide". The Village Voice . Retrieved November 30, 2011.
  8. ↑ Rockwell, John (April 1, 1979). "The Roches—A Highly Promising Pop Trio". The New York Times . Retrieved 4 August 2019.
  9. ↑ Rockwell, John (December 21, 1979). "Pop Life: A Critic Picks top 10 For '79". The New York Times . Retrieved 4 August 2019.
  10. ↑ Cocks, Jay (May 7, 1979). "Valentines from the Danger Zone". Time . p. 64. Archived from the original on 21 January 2011. Retrieved 1 September 2011.
  11. ↑ "The 1979 Pazz & Jop Critics Poll". The Village Voice . January 28, 1980. Retrieved 1 September 2011.
  12. ↑ Pareles, Jon (21 January 2017). "Maggie Roche, Who Harmonized With Her Singing Sisters, Dies at 65". The New York Times . Retrieved 23 January 2017.
  13. ↑ "Whitney Announce New Album Candid, Share Cover of the Roches' "Hammond Song": Listen". Pitchfork . July 15, 2020.
  14. ↑ "'We Will Always Love You' [ft. Blood Orange]". Pitchfork . 21 February 2020. Retrieved 3 July 2022.

Further reading

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.