The Roches (album)

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.

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

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.

The song "Hammond Song" was covered by The Colourfield on their 1985 eponymous debut album Virgins and Philistines.

Personnel
Musicians:
 * Suzzy Roche – vocals, guitar
 * Maggie Roche – vocals, guitar, synthesizer (on "Quitting Time")
 * Terre Roche – vocals, guitar
 * Robert Fripp – electric guitar, Fripperies (on "Hammond Song")
 * Tony Levin – bass guitar
 * Jim Maelen – triangle, shaker
 * Larry Fast – synthesizer programmer

Production:
 * "Produced in Audio Verite by Robert Fripp"
 * Engineer: Ed Sprigg
 * Assistant Engineer: Jon Smith
 * Recorded at The Hit Factory in New York City during September, October and November 1978

Other credits:
 * Art direction: Peter Whorf
 * Design: Brad Kanawyer
 * Photography: Gary Heery