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The New Amsterdams

Worse For The Wear (2003)
Vagrant Records

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Contributed by: Scott
(others by this writer | submit your own)

Published on August 22nd 2003

For those who still don't know, the New Amsterdams are Matt Pryor of the Get Up Kids' side project. This is their third release.

The New Amsterdams' sound is one of laid-back, groove-oriented rock. The songs don't have much in the way of musical surprises, and virtually any track off this album could be played on your local "lite rock" station. Pryor's vocals, hit-or-miss on the last Get Up Kids effort, really are dead on for this CD. His voice seems to be growing into this faux-country sound he's been developing.

If you're a fan of the slower, moodier moments of the last Get Up Kids album, then you'd like this CD a lot, as it really is just more of a continuation of those songs [hell, Rob and Ryan Pope of the Get Up Kids play on virtually all of these songs anyway, so what's really the difference?]. There's no real speedbumps here, but at the same point no outstanding track that just screams "play me again!" My guess is, this record is just 10 songs that Matt Pryor had lying around that just didn't work in the Get Up Kids setting [although "Smoking Gun" sounds like it could've been an On The Wire B-side, and "From California" is a blatant musical counterpart to Something To Write Home About's "Valentine"]. It's a nice Sunday morning album, if that means anything to you.

MP3s
Hover Near Fame
Hanging On For Hope

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Anonymous (December 31, 2003)

Matt Pryor on Rivers Cuomo from song #3 Hover Near Fame:

"Not that the nightlife isn't great and if I seem to be irate, I don't have tolerance for fakes:what's to say. On your way out, don't bother picking up your tab."

dignin (August 25, 2003)

"i clicked on this review having confused the new amsterdams with the new pornographiers. once i read the first sentence i realized my mistake. my score is for the get up kids and all GUK-related projects."

Congratulations on keepin such an open mind, this scores for you!!!

jheisel (August 25, 2003)

i clicked on this review having confused the new amsterdams with the new pornographiers. once i read the first sentence i realized my mistake. my score is for the get up kids and all GUK-related projects.

Anonymous (August 23, 2003)

i think that it's mildly ironic that you said para toda vida was more diverse. i don't want to get all musical-educational about it, but they use the same 4-5 chords on a bunch of songs-going C to E (sometimes E minor) to A then either G or F. don't get me wrong. i love all of their stuff. just that most of para toda vida sounded similar. but ironically it's certainly my favorite of their albums.
i also saw them in lawrence last sunday. this may be one of the best live acts i will ever see (even if pryor didn't get the "you got any gum" reference to Norm McDonald impersonating letterman). The live version of track 10 from Never You Mind is pretty incredible. i feel strongly that vagrant should try to put together a live album for them.

Anonymous (August 23, 2003)

I don't know anything about thier past work,but I heard them sing some song on T.V. , and it sounded great. Plus I heard their other song on KCRW and that sounded good too.

Sara (no h)

Anonymous (August 23, 2003)

This album is really great. The really think the last 2 new amsterdams albums where better than the last TGUK album

Anonymous (August 23, 2003)

Strange, Campfire Kansas was the only song I really didn't care for. But then again, I was one of the three people that actually like On A Wire. My favorite GUK album.

Anonymous (August 22, 2003)

the only song i liked on on a wire was campfire kansas. will i like this record.

disregard the fact that i dont know who actually wrote said song

-patemo

themuffingirl (August 22, 2003)

yeah, i agree, i like this album too

Anonymous (August 22, 2003)

I really like hover near fame a lot. I'm really looking forward to the new GUK record.

travisangst (August 22, 2003)

i love this album....my only complaint is that it's too short...

it's definately an empathising album...it makes you feel good....

i think this si the best new ams stuff tho...seriously

Anonymous (August 22, 2003)

This album isn't bad, I enjoy it for when I'm going to sleep. Which is exactly when I listen to 'On a Wire.'

As a side note, they're playing Chumbawumba over Musak at work. HELP!

Oh, oh, can I vent too?

I hate the Berlin Project.

- Scott
http://www.local-felons.com/
(Absolute Punk is on Friendster now too, isn't that cute)