Speak

by The Roches

Overview

While just about every critic and fan has a favorite Roches album that was inexplicably ignored, most will probably agree that Speak was the one that really should have gone gold. All of the ingredients for a huge album are here: emotional yet accessible songs, radio-friendly folk-pop arrangements, and the sisters' usual mind-blowing vocal pyrotechnics. True, the title cut does have harmonies and cadences that are more typical of Bulgarian music, but much of the rest of this album is radio-ready. "Big Nuthin" and "Person With a Past" are two obvious hits, but there are plenty more; in fact, this album doesn't have a dud track from end to end. Sure, fans of their early work will find "I Love My Mom" a bit too conventional and poppy, but heck, if you can't get a bit schmaltzy on a song to your mom, something's wrong with the world. Those who love the Roches' trademark bizarre wordplay and telepathic harmonies can focus on the avant-garde a cappella of "The Anti-Sex Backlash of the 80s" -- and with a title like that how can you resist? The jazzy backups are well handled and subtle throughout the album, and it's a classic. Alas, like all Roches albums it was critically acclaimed but ignored by the public. ~ Richard Foss

Product Details

Release Date:	07/26/2013
Label:	Geffen / Mca
UPC:	0076732634523
Rank:	93786

Tracks

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

Album Credits

Performance Credits

The Roches   Primary Artist
Fernando Saunders   Guitar (Bass)
Vince Cherico   Drums,Percussion
Carter Cathcart   Horn,Piano,Synthesizer
Jeffrey Lesser   Vocals
Suzzy Roche   Guitar,Vocals,Synthesizer
Maggie Roche   Piano,Vocals,Synthesizer,Keyboard Bass
Terre Roche   Guitar,Vocals
Libby McLaren   Synthesizer,Keyboard Bass
Larry Fast   Synthesizer

Technical Credits

Murray Brenman   Layout Design
Vince Cherico   Drum Programming
Greg Calbi   Mastering
Margaret A. Roche   Composer
Jeffrey Lesser   Engineer,Producer
Suzzy Roche   Composer
The Roches   Producer,Drum Programming
Maggie Roche   Composer
Terre Roche   Artwork,Composer
Jeff Lippay   Assistant Engineer
Teddy Wainwright   Executive Producer
Glen Zdon   Engineer
Tim White   Photography
Kreyol Syndikat   Composer