Bedsit Poets

Austere, magnetic, smooth-as-silk folk/pop from this British by way of
New York duo. Produced by like-minded outfit the Kennedys, and named
by the inimitable Colin Blunstone of the Zombies, Edward Rogers and
Amanda Thorpe spin out intricate, magical harmonies on songs that
sound like a cold-weather version of the Mamas and the Papas, or maybe
a lighter-hearted Greenwich Village version of Richard and Linda
Thompson. In any case, it's an artful blend, colored by plenty of
chiming guitars (the revved-up "Reach for the Sky" deviates nicely
from the mid-tempo pace of most of the record), and songs of longing
and frustration (cf. "Simple Twist of Emotion"). The chugging momentum
and thick piano chords of the title song may be a bit precious, but
its classic melody and heavenly harmonies sound fantastic. More
please! - - Pop Culture Press - Luke Torn

The Bedsit Poets, a local group featuring the British vocalists Edward Rogers and Amanda Thorpe, deliver tender originals that have an early-sixties innocence. - The New Yorker

Bedsit Poets - The Summer That Changed (CD, Bongo Beat, Soft pop)
Bedsit Poets is the duo of Edward Rogers and Amanda Thorpe. The Summer That Changed is a beautifully intoxicating collection of soft, dreamy pop. Rather than record songs that fit into any one particular sound or style, Rogers and Thorpe create music that is classic and timeless. The lyrics are particularly poignant and effective. By touching on thoughts and emotions that almost everyone can relate to, these folks manage to strike real emotional chords. The intricate arrangements fit the tunes perfectly, giving the album a nice airy feel.
Recalling music from a simpler place and time, The Summer That Changed is intelligent and engaging from start to finish. Top picks: "February Kisses,"
"Reach For The Sky," "Round and Round," "Let It Rain." (Rating: 4) - Babysue LMNOP

Heartaches'n'Harmonies from a duo that knows their jingle from their jangle.
Their name was suggested by mutual frien Colin Blunstone - a good clue as to the general MO of the Bedsit Poets, Edward Rogers and Amanda Thorpe, two singer-songwriters whose shared British roots and New York smarts shine brightly on this disarmingly infectious debut. Between reflective musings on loves lost and found and elegant harmonies, Rogers and Thorpe create a stately folk-rock-pop environment that makes their drop-dead gorgeous cover of The Everly Brothers "Dont Ask Me TO Be Friends" all the more alluring. All told, Bedist Poets display precisely the sort of personal sensitivity and artistic sophistication that was the hallmark of Blunstone's Zombie's back when such things counted - a lot. - Billy Altman, MOJO

Bedsit Poets: The Summer That Changed
Label: Bongo Beat

The Bedsit Poets are a NYC-based duo comprised of Edward Rogers and Amanda Thorpe; Rogers, former member of the Green Rooftops, released a solo album (Sunday Fables) on Not Lame a year or two ago, and Thorpe, co-founder of the Wirebirds, put out a solo disc herself back in 2001 (Mass). Together, however, they've produced a low-key, melancholy collection of harmony-laden pop songs: 10 originals and one cover (“Don't Ask Me To Be Friends,” a Gerry Goffin / Jack Keller composition best known for having been recorded by the Everly Brothers). Maybe it's the weather talking, but this is the perfect soundtrack for a rainy day...and not just because the album closes with a song called “Let It Rain.” No, it's because the majority of the tracks are rather languid; if you're sitting around and not of a mind to do much of anything, let these songs wash over you. If that description concerns you, fret not; the chorus of “Far From You” - “You drive me crazy, all the things that you do / And it drives me insane when I'm far from you” - is a head-bobber, and the Rickenbacker-powered jangle of “Reach For The Sky” is a particularly upbeat highlight. ~Will Harris (12/01/05)
- Bullz-eye.com