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]

"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[13]
Calgary HeraldB+[10]
Chicago Tribune[14]
Robert ChristgauA−[15]
The Encyclopedia of Popular Music[16]
Ottawa Citizen[17]
The Rolling Stone Album Guide[18]
Spin Alternative Record Guide8/10[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

  • Produced By the Roches and Jeffrey Lesser
  • Engineered by Jeffrey Lesser
  • Executive Producer: Teddy Wainwright
  • A&R: Marty Scott
  • Jeff Lippay: Assistant Engineer / Glen Zdon: Live Sound / Mastering: Grag Calbi, Sterling Sound, Inc.
  • Recorded and Mixed at RPM Studios, New York, NY.
  • Art Director: Toni Scott / Layout: Murray Brenman
  • Photography: Timothy White / Hand Lettering: Stephen Foster / Illustrations: Terre Roche

Musicians

  • Maggie Roche: Singing, piano, synthesizers, keyboard bass
  • Terre Roche: Singing, guitars
  • Suzzy Roche: Singing, synthesizers, guitars
  • Carter Cathcart: Piano on "Losing Our Job", synthesizer strings and horn.
  • Libby McLaren: Synthesizers, keyboard bass
  • Vince Cherico: Drums, drum programming, percussion
  • Fernando Saunders: Bass Guitar
  • The Roches: Drum and synthesizer programming
  • Larry Fast: Additional synthesizer programming

References

  1. ^ "The Roches Biography, Songs, & Albums". AllMusic.
  2. ^ Meyer, Marianne (May 3, 1992). "The Roches Returning to Tarrytown" – via NYTimes.com.
  3. ^ a b 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. ^ a b 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. ^ a b 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. ^ a b Erskine, Evelyn (19 Jan 1990). "The Roches back with folk revival". Ottawa Citizen. p. F6.
  18. ^ a b The Rolling Stone Album Guide. Random House. 1992. p. 596.
  19. ^ a b 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.
Allikas: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Speak_(The_Roches_album)
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