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.
Revenge
The New Amsterdams Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Don't leave minor details out
Come clean
Quit trying to sell me out
Revenge
I take your hints
It's all I have
Revenge
Once you forget
I'll be back again
Blind, blood brother's bond
Was a lie, now I know what's right
Good God
How do you sleep at night?
Revenge
I take your hints
It's all I have
Revenge
Once you forget
I'll be back again
Once you forget
I'll be back again
The lyrics of The New Amsterdams's song Revenge speak about the betrayal of a close friend or a brother, who has sold out the singer. The singer demands to know the truth and urges the person to come clean and not leave out any minor details. The betrayal has shaken the singer, and he seeks revenge. He takes the hints dropped by the betrayer and vows to come back stronger once he forgets about the hurt from the betrayal. The singer also questions the betrayer's conscience and wonders how he can sleep at night after betraying someone who trusted him.
The song is an excellent portrayal of betrayal and its aftermath. It captures the strong emotions of anger, hurt, and a deep sense of loss that comes with deception. The lyrics are relatable and evoke a sense of empathy for the singer. It also shows that revenge may not always bring solace, but the desire for revenge is a natural response to betrayal.
Line by Line Meaning
So tell me everything
Be completely honest with me and don't hold anything back
Don't leave minor details out
Include every little bit of information, no matter how insignificant it may seem
Come clean
Admit to any wrongdoings or deceitful actions
Quit trying to sell me out
Stop attempting to betray or sabotage me
Revenge
I take your hints
It's all I have
I am seeking revenge on you and I am paying close attention to any small clues or indications that may help me achieve it. It's my only focus at the moment.
Once you forget
I'll be back again
If you ever let your guard down and forget about what you've done to me, I will come back and seek revenge once more.
Blind, blood brother's bond
Was a lie, now I know what's right
The close, trusting relationship we once had as 'blood brothers' was based on a falsehood. Now that I know the truth, I am certain that seeking revenge is the right thing to do.
Good God
How do you sleep at night?
I am outraged and disgusted by your actions and can't understand how you can live with yourself knowing what you've done.
Contributed by Cameron T. Suggest a correction in the comments below.