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.
Drama Queen
The New Amsterdams Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Somehow
My drama queen
Old wounds and rebounds
Old hat
New seam
I got the time
You've got the notion
My drama queen
In "Drama Queen" by The New Amsterdams, the singer is addressing someone in their life who is constantly causing and stirring up drama. The lyrics begin with the statement "Get over somehow my drama queen," which suggests that the singer is fed up with this person's behavior and wants them to move on from whatever is causing their constant drama. However, the second line "Old wounds and rebounds, old hat, new seam" implies that the person is going through some emotional turmoil related to past experiences or relationships, and that while it may seem repetitive, there is still something new to be taken from the situation.
The rest of the lyrics, such as "I got the time, you've got the notion, new faces repeat my drama queen," suggest that the singer is both willing to listen and support this person through their difficulties, but that they also recognize that this constant drama is a pattern that keeps repeating. The use of the phrase "new faces repeat" implies that the person is seeking out new relationships or situations but the same drama and issues continue to arise.
Overall, "Drama Queen" is a reflection on the challenges of dealing with someone who constantly creates drama in their life, and the struggle to help them move past their issues while also acknowledging the patterns that keep repeating.
Line by Line Meaning
Get over
Move on from the past and negative emotions
Somehow
In any way or by any method
My drama queen
Referring to oneself as the center of attention in a dramatic manner
Old wounds and rebounds
Past hurts and attempts at moving on from them
Old hat
Something that is old and no longer interesting or exciting
New seam
A new direction or path in life
I got the time
Having the ability and opportunity to take things slowly
You've got the notion
You have an idea or understanding of what needs to be done
New faces repeat
New people come into one's life, but old patterns and behaviors continue
My drama queen
Continuing to be self-centered and overly dramatic
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
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