Two years later in January 2002, Pryor released Para Toda Vida, this time sticking almost purely to acoustic guitar, with the exception of a few tracks utilizing harmonica and banjo as well. However, the next year the band went a step further in the release of Worse for the Wear, which utilized a full band for the first time, which at this time included Get Up Kids bandmates Ryan Pope and his brother Rob, as well as longtime friend and producer Ed Rose. The album was one of the earlier albums to be recorded at Black Lodge Studios, the recording studio renovated and co-owned by Ed Rose and the members of The Get Up Kids.
The band's next album, Killed or Cured was released in 2005. However, it was written during a turbulent time within The Get Up Kids leading up to the band's breakup. Because of this Vagrant Records, the label to which both the bands were signed, didn't want to release the album until The Get Up Kids finished their farewell tour in the summer of that year. For this reason, a portion of the album was released online for free via the New Amsterdams website. The album was released in its full version through retail channels on April 10, 2007.
In 2006, the band released the album Story Like a Scar with what is now the current lineup, including Bill Belzer on drums, Eric McCann on upright bass, and Dustin Kinsey on guitar.
In September 2007, the band released another album, At the Foot of My Rival on CD, Vinyl and Digital Download. However, after a long relationship with Vagrant Records, the band decided to release the album on Elmar, (named after Pryor's son Elliot Marshall) an offshoot of Curb Appeal Records, owned in part by former Get Up Kids bandmate Jim Suptic.
In January 2008 the band released a collection of demos and b-sides, available exclusively through their website.
In May of the same year, they went on their first European tour, starting in Amsterdam. The band plans to go in a small hiatus after that, until the end of the year. After that, they will start working on the next album.
Musically, the songs are folksy and mellow. Lyrically, the songs often seem to deal with Christianity and religion though Matt hasn't made claims to any particular faith. Much of it could be considered "christian rock," though many fans of Pryor from his Get Up Kids days would probably deny or ignore such a comment.
Bonus Tack
The New Amsterdams Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
No no no no
No no no no
Now listen little child, there will come a day
When you will be able, able to say
Never mind the pain, or the aggravation
You know there's a better way for you and me to be
Look for the rainbow in every storm
Goodbye my friend
I know you're gone, you said you're gone
But I can still feel you here
It's not the end
Gotta keep it strong
Before the pain turns into fear
So glad we made it
Time will never change it, no no no
No no no no
Just a little girl, big imagination
Never letting no one (take it away)
Went into the world (into the world)
What a revelation
She found there's a better way
For you and me to be
Look for the rainbow in every storm
Find out for certain loves gonna be there for you
You'll always be someone's baby
Goodbye my friend
I know you're gone, you said you're gone
But I can still feel you here
It's not the end
Gotta keep it strong
Before the pain turns into fear
So glad we made it
Time will never change it, no no no
No no no no
You know its time to say goodbye
No no no no
The times when we would play about
The way we used to scream and shout
We never dreamt you'd go your own sweet way
Look for the rainbow in every storm
Find out for certain, love's gonna be there for you
You'll always be someone's baby
Goodbye my friend
I know you're gone, you said you're gone
But I can still feel you here
It's not the end
Gotta keep it strong
Before the pain turns into fear
So glad we made it
Time will never never ever change it
No no no no
You know it's time to say goodbye
No no no no
And don't forget you can rely
No no no no
You know it's time to say goodbye
And don't forget on me, you can rely
No no no no
I will help, help you on your way
I will be with you everyday
No no no no
I will be with you everyday
No no no no
The New Amsterdams's song "Bonus Track" is a reflective and poignant song about saying goodbye to a friend who has passed away. The singer, addressing a "little child," tells them that the pain and aggravation will eventually subside, and that they must keep strong so that the pain doesn't turn into fear. They advise the child to look for the rainbow in every storm, to find a better way for both themselves and the friend who is no longer with them. They reflect on the good times they shared, playing and laughing together, never considering that one day their friend would have to leave. But despite the sadness and pain of their loss, they know that their friend will always be with them in some way, shape, or form, and that they will continue to rely on each other to make it through each day.
The song is a beautiful tribute to the strength of human connection, the bittersweet nature of saying farewell, and the hope that comes from recognizing that nothing is truly lost as long as we remember those who have left us. It is a poignant reminder to cherish the memories we make with those we love, to appreciate the little moments that make life worth living, and to always keep our hearts open to the people who make our lives richer, more vibrant, and more meaningful.
Line by Line Meaning
Now listen little child, there will come a day
An adult is giving advice to a child, acknowledging that someday they will need to face tough situations
When you will be able, able to say
The child will eventually gain the ability to vocalize their feelings
Never mind the pain, or the aggravation
The adult encourages the child not to focus on the negative aspects of a situation
You know there's a better way for you and me to be
The adult believes that there is a better solution for handling situations
Look for the rainbow in every storm
The adult encourages the child to find beauty in difficult situations
Fly like an angel, heaven sent to me
The adult describes the freedom and beauty of soaring above difficulties
Goodbye my friend
The singer says farewell to a friend
I know you're gone, you said you're gone
The artist acknowledges that the friend has departed
But I can still feel you here
The artist feels their friend's presence, even though they are physically absent
It's not the end
The artist insists that the end of the friendship does not mean the end of everything
Gotta keep it strong
The singer must stay emotionally resilient in the face of loss
Before the pain turns into fear
The artist must process their pain in order to avoid it turning into a deep-seated fear
So glad we made it
The singer reflects on the fact that they were able to share a worthwhile experience with their friend
Time will never change it, no no no
The strength of the friendship will not fade with time
Just a little girl, big imagination
The singer recalls a young girl with a vivid imagination
Never letting no one (take it away)
The girl was determined to protect her imagination and creativity
Went into the world (into the world)
The girl explored the world and its wonders
What a revelation
The girl had an eye-opening experience
She found there's a better way
The girl discovered her own personal solution to a problem
Find out for certain loves gonna be there for you
The artist advises the listener to be sure of their personal relationships and support systems
You'll always be someone's baby
The artist reminds the listener that they will always be someone's child, and will always have support
And don't forget you can rely
The artist reminds the listener that they have people they can depend on
I will help, help you on your way
The singer offers to help the listener with their journey
I will be with you everyday
The artist promises to offer unwavering support to the listener
Lyrics © OBO APRA/AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind