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.
Lonely Hearts
The New Amsterdams Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Good knocking again
I've given the chance, do it all over
To lose her again
Sleep tight, never you mind
Lonely hearts breaking tonight
Never I dared had I been close to sober
Is out of my head
Back of my mind if I only had shown her
She'd be mine again
Sleep tight, never you mind
Lonely hearts are breaking tonight
The New Amsterdams's song Lonely Hearts is a poignant reflection on lost love and regret. The opening line, "All that I have is finally over," sets the tone for the rest of the song, suggesting a sense of finality and resignation. The singer is left with only memories of a past relationship and the painful realization that they have lost someone they deeply loved. The line, "I've given the chance, do it all over, to lose her again," highlights the cyclical nature of heartbreak, as even when given a second chance, we often repeat the same mistakes.
The chorus of the song, "Sleep tight, never you mind, lonely hearts breaking tonight," is a melancholic reminder of the loneliness that many people experience after the end of a relationship. The use of "never you mind" suggests a sense of trying to hide or suppress these feelings, but ultimately they cannot be ignored. The second verse is especially moving, as the singer reflects on their actions and wishes they had done things differently. "Back of my mind if I only had shown her, she'd be mine again," shows a sense of regret and a desire to turn back time.
Line by Line Meaning
All that I have is finally over
Everything I had in my life is now gone and finished
Good knocking again
Opportunity is presenting itself once more
I've given the chance, do it all over
I have been given another opportunity to start over
To lose her again
But unfortunately, I will end up losing her again
Sleep tight, never you mind
Rest peacefully, don't worry
Lonely hearts breaking tonight
Tonight, hearts that are alone and longing for love are suffering
Never I dared had I been close to sober
I have never been close to being completely clear-headed and courageous
Is out of my head
I can't stop thinking about it
Back of my mind if I only had shown her
If only I had demonstrated my love to her, although it has always been in the back of my mind
She'd be mine again
She would be mine once again
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: Matthew Pryor
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind