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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. The album was well received. Jay Cocks in Time magazine wrote that their 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 Jazz & Pop 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 as the Greenwich Village version of the New York punk explosion. Personnel Musicians: Suzzy Roche – vocals, guitar Maggie Roche – vocals, guitar, synthesizer (on "Quitting Time") Terre Roche – vocals, guitar Robert Fripp – electric guitar, Fripperies Tony Levin – bass guitar Jim Maelen – triangle, shaker Larry Fast
