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The three Roche sisters sing like angels and write angelic sentiments. What's so bad about singing about loving your Mom? We could use more songs like this nowadays, when kids routinely diss their parents. The rest of the songs are mostly about the complexities of romantic relationships, but are also about the disillusionment of fame, shyness, the sexual revolution, God, femininity, losing jobs, etc. In other words, it's a very serious, grown-up album.

The Roches' singing exudes great warmth and spirituality. The production is very good, although sometimes the drum sound is too thin and weak. But many interesting instruments are used and the arrangements are always clever. Irritating electronics are kept to a minimum after having been misused in a dominant way on the previous album, "Another World". Most importantly, the Roches came up with excellent melodies that make you want to listen to this album time and time again. Most of the best songs the Roches have done were on this album.


lousy production   October 10, 1999
 4 out of 8 found this review helpful

This would have to be the nadir of the Roches recorded works. Although there are some great songs to be found here, the production of most varies from woeful to shocking. And for some reason the sisters have written some of the most cloying and twee lyrics ever: "I Love My Mum", anyone? A very selective listen, with the acapella track "Cloud Dancing" and the solo piano accompaniment on "Losing Our Job" being the most effective. A great shame, as other tracks such as "Nocturne" (the only decent production job) and "Feeling Is Mutual" boast beautiful melodies.


SPEAK is the best Roches album   August 16, 2000
 4 out of 5 found this review helpful

Don't listen to the rumors that "Speak" is the worst Roches album, because in all honesty, it is the BEST Roches album. This album totally totally changed my life and it continues to inspire me every time I listen to it. The cheesy synth arrangements that adorn the tracks only add to the brilliance of this album in my opinion. I might also add that this album contains my very favorite song of all time not just by the Roches, but by ANY RECORDING ARTIST EVER, which is the song "Merciful God." That song is the work of true geniuses, as are many, many more of songs on this timeless masterpiece. Don't pass it up!!!


A Masterpiece   March 24, 2001
 3 out of 5 found this review helpful

It is not often in art that one finds something which is totally innovative and ecstatically beautiful both at the same time. Speak is a masterpiece.


Run, don't walk, to another Roches CD   April 17, 2001
 3 out of 9 found this review helpful

I think the Roches are among the best harmonizers. Add to that witty, honest vocals and you have a great band, as shown on many of their previous releases. On this recording, the sisters seemed to have forgotten that drum machines and canned melodies on a folk recording DOES NOT WORK. I also was totally let down by how "serious" their lyrics had become, to the point that they may have made fun of the same vocals they are singing just a few years earlier. If I ever got to meet the Roches, I would ask, "Speak? WHY!"