172. Ann Powers Discusses The Roches, self-titled

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On this episode, NPR music critic and correspondent Ann Powers gets Al acquainted with The Roches’ 1979 self-titled debut album. Ann explains how she got to know the album and how it became an important part of her life and the lives of her friends. She also talks about the elements that make The Roches unique, including their harmonies, clever songwriting and misfit style. Ann discusses her 2024 biography of Joni Mitchell, Traveling: On the Path of Joni Mitchell, and why she took a different approach to researching the book than other Mitchell biographers have taken.

You can follow Ann on Bluesky, Instagram and X, all at @annkpowers.

As Ann mentioned on the show, you can read her work for the NPR Music Newsletter by signing up for it on the NPR website. Just go to https://www.npr.org/newsletter/music and enter your e-mail address.

Al is on Bluesky at @almelchior.bsky.social. This show has an account on Instagram at @youmealbum. Subscribe for free to You, Me and An Album: The Newsletter! https://youmealbum.substack.com/. You can also support the show on Buzzsprout at https://www.buzzsprout.com/1542814/episodes or at the link at the bottom of these show notes.

1:32 Ann joins the show

2:10 Al and Ann discuss her review of The Roches from the ‘90s

4:53 Ann explains how The Roches’ music was related to the New York punk scene

7:59 Ann and Al talk about Robert Fripp’s contributions as the album’s producer

9:37 Ann discusses The Roches’ unique harmonies and musical styles

11:48 Ann talks about The Roches’ identity as misfits

18:55 Ann sees the album as both accessible and mysterious

20:41 Ann discusses the background behind “Hammond Song” and its enduring popularity

29:40 Ann recalls where she learned about The Roches and discusses her early fandom

37:56 Ann—and the critics she admired—found The Roches’ lyrics relatable

44:30 Ann explains what makes the “The Married Men” a special song

48:18 Al talks about his one memory of The Roches from his teen years

50:09 Ann expands on her approach to writing her Joni Mitchell biography

56:15 Ann discusses her current and upcoming work

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