Search - Roches :: Roches

This lovely CD should be an Amazon Essential Recording

ILikeAmazon | Arlington, VA USA | 08/27/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"The Roches eponymous 1979 release is a unique blending of folk, punkishness, and guitar balladry. It features lovely harmonizing by the three Roche sisters backed by spare, uncluttered, but poetic instrumentation. It almost defies categorization and often ends up listed as "Alternative" music, given its playful but quirky guitar Fripp-isms (from producer Robert Fripp of King Crimson and Brian Eno collaborator fame). However, this doesn't sound like a Fripp album. Maybe this is best described as folk with a hard(er) edge. First, the production quality continues to amaze. The recording engineers had their act together and every vocal nuance and instrument overtone is perfectly captured. The recording is totally realistic and there's not one drum maching hiding anywhere (thank goodness). The Roches would be a good candidate for an audiophile remastered release (anyone out there listening?). Summed up, the record abounds with aural pleasures. Second, The Roches sound terrific together. Their harmonies blend completely and, at the same time, their interplay individually creates and releases emotional tension. They're actors in many songs, each playing special roles. A listen to the song "We" makes clear the personalities involved as each Roche sister does their obligatory introduction. The vocals never sound forced or unnatural or stagey.Third, this is an outstanding collection of well written, diverse, and completely intelligent songsmithing. Every gem (and there are only gems here) illuminates some curious foible of the human condition. Everyone has their favorites. With each listen, you get more and more out of the songs. That's the hallmark of great writing.In Summary: This is, hands-down, a 5-star collection of songs. Brilliant from start to finish. If you generally like singer-songwriters (in the Joni Mitchell or Carole King mode) and like guitars+accompaniment+vocals, then The Roches is for you."

Essential listening

Christopher Bonds | 07/21/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

"The Roches never did anything finer than their first recording. It's pointless to say "if you like this kind of music, get it"--because there isn't really anything to compare it with. Sure, it's kind of folk, has some attitude, it's acoustic, etc. etc. but the musical content and lyrics cannot be pigeonholed. These songs are real compositions and are definitely not written according to any formula common to popular music. How three sisters so young could be so original is beyond me, but I'm happy because of it. If you listen carefully, you will notice that they don't do anything in a song the same way twice. The music is always developing, changing. That is one of the signs of great writing. The lyrics speak of commonplace things (relationships, jobs) in new, original ways. In "Hammond Song," we don't know exactly to whom they are talking nor do we know exactly where Hammond is. But it makes no difference. We can fill in the blanks, and to listen to what they do with the musical arrangement is spellbinding. If you are just learning about the Roches this is the place to start. This and their other early albums are the place to start. Unfortunately some of their later efforts are weaker, in my opinion. They seemed to lose that touch of attitude and sass that made me call them "subversive" artists in their early recordings. They hook you in with their sweet sounds and then stick the knife in when you are off guard. There is definitely a touch of irony to their early work. Listen and learn!"

A blast of fresh air

Jim Lent | Jersey USA | 04/14/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Back in 1979 I saw the Roches for the first time on Saturday Night Live where they sang their a capella version of the Hallelujah Chorus. I was hooked. I went out and purchased this the next day and it didn't come off my turntable (LPs only in those days) for the next two weeks. This was such a refreshing sound - gorgeous three part harmonies given a mischievous and sometimes deep edge by the Roches' own quirks and Robert Fripp's spare but telling production. Though Maggie was always the major songwriter of the group, they all have their own songwriting styles which adds to the complexities of each album. With the exception of the unfortunate and virtually Maggie-less Another World and an equally undistinguished follow-up EP, all their records - and all the concerts of theirs I've been to - have been wonders. If this record remains my favorite it's because you can only be taken by surprise once."