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)
Kids in the Garden
The Amsterdams Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
This house is a war
Follow our kids in the garden
Where they used to play
Put all the cattle to shelter
Hide all our love in the well
Let Jesus or money to guide us
Home, home, home, home
No one left in the village
After the flood rushed in
Oh daughters, where did the horses take you
To heavens or to daughters' hell?
Home, home, home, home
Home, home, home, home
The Amsterdams's song "Kids in the Garden" appears to be a reflection on the transience of life and the inevitability of change. The opening lines suggest a feeling of chaos and instability ("This river is wild/This house is a war"), but the focus quickly shifts to the children who used to play in the garden. This juxtaposition seems to suggest that while the world around us may be tumultuous and unpredictable, the innocence and wonder of childhood can provide a sense of stability and comfort.
As the song progresses, the theme of impermanence becomes more apparent. The lines "No one left in the village/After the flood rushed in" suggest a sudden, unexpected upheaval that has left the community empty and desolate. The reference to horses taking the daughters either to heaven or to hell further emphasizes the idea that life is uncertain and that even our ultimate fate is unknown.
The chorus of "Home, home, home, home" serves to underscore the longing for a sense of belonging and stability, which the garden and the memory of childhood represent. In this way, the song seems to convey a bittersweet nostalgia for a simpler time, while also acknowledging the inevitability of change and the need to adapt and move forward.
Line by Line Meaning
This river is wild
The surroundings are chaotic and unpredictable.
This house is a war
The household is full of conflict and struggle.
Follow our kids in the garden
Take a moment to embrace the innocence and simplicity of childhood.
Where they used to play
To a time before the chaos and struggle took over.
Put all the cattle to shelter
Protect everything that matters and hold them close.
Hide all our love in the well
Keep love guarded and away from harm.
Let Jesus or money to guide us
We are willing to take guidance from faith or wealth, whichever is necessary to survive.
To places where we belong
To a place where we feel safe and accepted.
No one left in the village
Everyone has been affected by the extreme circumstances.
After the flood rushed in
Refers to a disaster that caused widespread damage and destruction.
Oh daughters, where did the horses take you
A lament for the female members who have been hurt or forced to flee.
To heavens or to daughters' hell?
Wondering if they have found peace or are suffering elsewhere.
Home, home, home, home
A chorus calling for comfort and stability.
Contributed by Owen G. Suggest a correction in the comments below.