Tracklisting

1. TREE
2. SUNNY
3. CHELSEA LADY
4. PICKLES AND FRIENDS
5. ANCHOR
6. GOING ON
7. A GOOD CHARLATAN
8. SONG FOR AN ATHEIST
9. HALF A LIFE

Most instruments played by Andrew Tyrone Rodgers. Other credits below…

The final then in the "Tokyo Bedroom Trilogy" as I have grown to call my recordings. The name arising from my location of course but also a triple instalment of 8 Track recordings done pretty much self entirely in bedrooms, lounges and the odd rehearsal studio here and there. It's been a lot of hard work and has taken ages. This particular volume has been testing but it's always worth that invested time though (of course).

This collection is probably the most eclectic yet with an array of genres ranging from jazz funk, soul, reggae, gospel and synth pop as well as the usual ATR sound (whatever that is). It also has a special feat with all the songs being composed in the period when it was recorded (with nearly half of the album being written in the last 6 months alone), where the previous collections featured songs written over the years.

The main thread to this collection is the pop song again (take the odd track). Hopefully the appeal of this for a nice listen will justify the title.
Whatever... Never good at these ramblings. Now for the music...


1. TREE
Vocals, Synths, Drums, Programming - Andrew Tyrone Rodgers
Bass - Katsuo Suzuki
This is an attempt to write Depeche Mode circa 1984. Oh my life it meets you.


2. SUNNY
Vocals, Guitar, Synth - Andrew Tyrone Rodgers
Keys - Bradley Bennett
Bass - Katsuo Suzuki
Drums - Mallory Laplaine
Written by live keyboardist Bradley Bennett. This was always fun to play live. You'll have to ask him what it's about though. I believe it's about his special one. Nice vehicle for him and bass player Kats on here as well as drummer Mal.


3. CHELSEA LADY
Vocals, Guitars, Synth Solo - Andrew Tyrone Rodgers
Keys, Vocals - Bradley Bennett
Bass - Katsuo Suzuki
Drums - Mallory Laplaine
Another melody that came to me out of nowhere. I got off a bus on the way to work and it just appeared. Hummed it into my iPhone (looking a bit odd) whilst walking to the workplace then a few days later had the song. We're going 70s here.


4. PICKLES AND FRIENDS
Vocals, Guitar, Bass, Synths, Melodica, Drums - Andrew Tyrone Rodgers
This one's for fun. Pickles!!!


5. ANCHOR
Vocals, Guitars, Bass, Piano, Drums - Andrew Tyrone Rodgers
Some nice melancholia for cold autumn / winter mornings. Thats the movie playing in my head anyway for which this soundtrack is for. Name inspired by someone. Lyrics an extension of that too.


6. GOING ON
Vocals, Guitars - Andrew Tyrone Rodgers
Keys, Vocals - Bradley Bennett
Bass - Katsuo Suzuki
Drums - Mallory Laplaine
Steel Pan - Adam Gyenes
This melody came to me one afternoon while we were doing vocal overdubs for a Remedy's Library song. My partner at the time seemed to
think the tune was a joke. Came in useful though. The lyrics were ad libbed as we rehearsed. They don't mean anything really. It's the feel, right? Thanks to Adam for the steel drum touches.


7. A GOOD CHARLATAN
Vocals, Chants, Synths, Drums, Programming - Andrew Tyrone Rodgers
An improvisation in the studio. Not a song as such. A token filler if you like. I like me drums anyway.


8. SONG FOR AN ATHEIST
Vocals, Guitars, Drums - Andrew Tyrone Rodgers
Piano - Bradley Bennett
Bass - Katsuo Suzuki
Yet another tune that came to me without the aid of a guitar / piano. Was falling asleep at work and just heard before I nearly went. Rushed out into the staff room and hummed it again. Probably the most spiritual thing I've written. Sometimes you need to stop going through the motions and think, it's alright, it'll be fine. A look at optimism in these downbeat times.


9. HALF A LIFE
Vocals, Guitars, Bass, Organ, Synth, Drums - Andrew Tyrone Rodgers
The last song to be written and one of my favourites on here. This time it's not me going through the motions but someone else. Time can slip away and you can miss a hell of a lot. Wake up and look around you.