If indie rock ever makes it in Romania, it’ll be because of The Amsterdams and their relentless pursuit. And because bands like The Dandy Warhols dig them and regard them as the best band in the land. As they make it pretty clear on the MySpace page, they’re here to do more than just rock out; they’re here to “take the cars out of every garage band”. Whatever that means, it sounds good enough to get behind.
Their second studio album, "Electromagnetica", was released on 31 March 2011 and on 1 April as a digital download. The album was partly recorded in Next Dog Studio, and was mastered by Harris Newman, who is also known for his work with Wolf Parade and Arcade Fire. Electromagnetica is produced and mixed by Electric Brother and features Dan Boeckner (Wolf Parade, Handsome Furs), who plays guitar on "This Burial Ground's For Two".
“Sneakers and striped T-Shirts: there¹s some hard strumming going on in the garages of Bucharest. These kids from Romania are highly strung. Thick guitar riffs, each song bringing a darker atmosphere. The Amsterdams are worthy symbols of a spirited, tortured rock scene.”
EuropaVox 2008
DISCOGRAPHY
"Automatic" (EP; 2008)
"Adolessons" (2009)
"Electromagnetica" (2011)
"Winds Apart" (2014)
"Eternity for Dummies" (2016)
Apologies
The Amsterdams Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
The radio was blasting
Apologies for me now
The radio was blasting, all day, all day
Apologies for me now
The radio was blasting
Married, buried Apologies for me now
The radio was blasting
Married, buried
I can feel it's a crash and this car is out
Oh, yeah, oh yeah
Is there a fish in the lake I could call
For help, for help?
All my friends they gathered 'round to see the accident
They lift my body from the water slowly
All my friends they gathered 'round to see the accident
They lift my body from the water slowly
All my friends they gathered 'round to see the accident
They lift my body from the water slowly
All my friends they gathered 'round to see the accident
They lift my body from the water slowly
Such a beautiful friend you are
Take my body from the car
[repeat]
I can feel it's a crash and this car is out
Oh yeah, oh yeah
Is there a fish in the lake I could call
For help, for help?
The opening lines of The Amsterdams's song "Apologies" immediately capture the listener's attention. The repetition of "Apologies for me now, the radio was blasting" creates a sense of urgency and chaos, which perfectly mirrors the feelings of the singer who is presumably experiencing some kind of crisis. The repetition of this phrase throughout the song also creates a sense of circularity, as if the singer is caught in a pattern that they can't escape from.
The next lines "Married, buried" add to the sense of urgency and turmoil. It's not clear what this phrase means exactly, but it could be interpreted as the singer feeling trapped or suffocated in their life. The repetition of "Apologies for me now, the radio was blasting" after this line suggests that the singer is desperately seeking some kind of escape or release from their situation. The line "I can feel it's a crash and this car is out" adds to the sense of danger and instability, as if the singer is on the verge of some kind of breakdown or disaster.
The imagery in the second half of the song is equally powerful. The idea of the singer's friends gathering around to witness their accident and lift their body from the water creates a sense of tragedy and loss. The repetition of this image reinforces the idea that the singer is caught in a cycle that they can't break free from. The final lines "Such a beautiful friend you are, take my body from the car" suggest that the singer sees death as a release, and maybe even a kind of salvation from their troubles.
Overall, "Apologies" is a haunting and powerful song that captures the sense of turmoil and despair that can come with feeling trapped or suffocated in your life.
Line by Line Meaning
Apologies for me now
I am sorry for my actions and behavior
The radio was blasting
The music was loud and overwhelming
All day, all day
It persisted consistently throughout the day
Married, buried
Being wedded and having died or being trapped
I can feel it's a crash and this car is out
I sense a collision and the vehicle is no longer functioning
Is there a fish in the lake I could call
I am desperate for aid and will turn to any option available
For help, for help?
I am pleading for assistance
All my friends they gathered 'round to see the accident
My peers have come together to witness the crash
They lift my body from the water slowly
They gingerly remove me from the water
Such a beautiful friend you are
You are a kind and caring comrade
Take my body from the car
Retrieve my body from the automobile
Contributed by Liam C. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@LAUNvon
sounds so great!