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)
Country Holiday
The Amsterdams Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Make my way into your heart
Maybe you should spend some time
In somebody else's mind
Or maybe I'm just crazy and you're not
You and me were never friends
Noodle salads by the lake
Maybe as good as it gets
Or maybe I'm just crazy and you're not
Or maybe I'm just crazy and you're not
I could move to another world (take a holiday)
Dissapear into a crowd
Maybe you should spent some time, honey
In somebody else's mind
Or maybe you're just crazy and I'm not
Or maybe you're just crazy and I'm not
Or maybe you're just crazy and I'm not
Or maybe you're just crazy and I'm not
The Amsterdams's song Country Holiday is a contemplative piece that touches upon the themes of longing, self-doubt, and the complexity of human relationships. The lyrics start with a sense of restlessness and a yearning to do something drastic to win the heart of someone they desire. The singer considers moving to another town and tries to find a way into the other person's heart. However, this attempt is met with the realization that spending some time in someone else's mind might be a more effective approach. The lyrics seem to suggest that getting to know someone on a deeper level requires empathy and understanding. Often, we jump to conclusions and make assumptions about people without truly seeing things through their eyes.
The next lines suggest that the singer and the person they are addressing were never friends, indicating that they might be acquaintances or strangers. However, they both share a fond memory of sitting by the lake, eating noodle salads. This memory signifies that even though they might not have known each other well, they had a moment of shared happiness. The final lines of the chorus repeat the uncertainty of the earlier pensive lines. The singer questions whether they are just crazy for wanting to know the person so well or whether it is just the other person who is distant and unapproachable.
The second verse talks about disappearing into a crowd and trying to understand someone else's perspective. The singer urges the other person to spend some time in their own headspace and get to know their own thoughts and feelings. The repetition of the earlier chorus is more assertive in this part, as if the singer is stating that the other person is also unsure and might be feeling the same doubts and insecurities. The song ends with the singer suggesting that perhaps it is the other person who is crazy, and the singer is the one who is more level-headed. Overall, Country Holiday is a beautiful and introspective song that touches upon the complexity of human relationships and the importance of empathy and understanding.
Line by Line Meaning
I could move to another town
I am considering leaving this place to start anew.
Make my way into your heart
I hope to win your affections despite the distance between us.
Maybe you should spend some time
Perhaps you need to step away from our situation and see things from a different perspective.
In somebody else's mind
Try to understand how someone else views the world.
Or maybe I'm just crazy and you're not
It's possible that I'm overthinking things and you're not.
You and me were never friends
We have never had a close relationship.
All that matters in the end
Ultimately, what is important is how we make each other feel.
Noodle salads by the lake
Simple pleasures, like enjoying a meal outside, can bring us happiness.
Maybe as good as it gets
Perhaps this is as happy as we can be in each other's company.
I could move to another world (take a holiday)
I would like to escape our current reality and experience something new.
Disappear into a crowd
I want to blend in and feel anonymous.
Maybe you should spend some time, honey
My suggestion is that you take some time to yourself.
Or maybe you're just crazy and I'm not
Perhaps it is you who is overthinking our situation, not me.
Or maybe you're just crazy and I'm not
Maybe you're the one with unrealistic expectations, not me.
Or maybe you're just crazy and I'm not
It's possible that you're being irrational, not me.
Or maybe you're just crazy and I'm not
Perhaps you're the one making things difficult, not me.
Contributed by Christopher A. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
BritPopWig
desi e copy paste dupa animal collective stilul vostru, aveti un sound muuuuuuuult mai bun ca acum 3 ani. iar live sunteti f tari
LaFilleCendrier
Cata ironie, imi dau lacrimile. T_T
TipDubios
@aciocky - I-am văzut în deschidere la The Cranberries anul trecut... Bad choice. Personal, mi se pare ca toate piesele lor seamana extrem de tare intre ele, dar no... Cetatenii europeni spun ca "gusturile nu se discuta", si nu vreau sa ma iau in gura cu "cetatenii europeni" cu papuci de carton si bluetooth in ureche :))