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.
Watch the World Cave In
The New Amsterdams Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I got tickets for two
They're not the best seats
And they're not the best view
Take my hand, you can squeeze on my arm
Wake from your slumber, baby
It's gonna start
The two of us watch the world cave in
The world's caving in
Like the prophecy calls
Barter redemption
For diamonds and pearls
The rich got the camel
Through the eye of a needle
The deed in itself was inherently evil
When all has been said and written
The two of us watch the world cave in
The world's caving in
They're releasing the souls
Trapped in the earth
Where, we can't hear their calls
Unbelievable torture
You wouldn't believe
This is their passion, their chance to be free
But they're beaten into submission
Free at last, watch the world cave in
When all has been said and written
The two of us watch the world cave in
The New Amsterdams' song "Watch the World Cave In" is a haunting and powerful reflection on the state of the world and the human condition in the face of societal collapse. The lyrics suggest a sense of impending doom, with the world collapsing and souls trapped in the earth struggling for their freedom. The viewpoint of the song is somewhat ambiguous and open to interpretation, but it suggests a sort of fatalistic acceptance of the coming destruction, as the two characters in the song sit and watch the apocalypse unfold.
The opening lines of the song are simple and straightforward, with the singer announcing "The world's caving in" and acknowledging they have "tickets for two" to watch the disaster. The sense of anticipation is palpable, with the suggestion that the characters are in for a profound and life-changing experience, even if they don't have the best view. The subsequent lines play off this sense of tension and wonder, with the singer encouraging their partner to wake up and get ready for the show. The closing lines of the verse are particularly striking, as the singer declares that the experience will be "worth the price of admission."
The second verse of the song takes a darker, more philosophical turn. The collapse of the world is described as a "prophecy" that was foretold and is now coming to pass, with the wealthy bartering for redemption while the souls trapped in the earth are denied their chance at freedom. The image of a camel passing through the eye of a needle is a biblical reference that suggests the inherent difficulty of achieving salvation in a world consumed by greed and avarice. The final lines of the verse once again suggest a sense of resignation, with the singer acknowledging that "All has been said and written" and the two characters continuing to watch the world end.
The final verse of the song is perhaps the most brutal and visceral, with the singer describing the souls trapped in the earth and their "unbelievable torture." The suggestion that their passion and chance to be free is beaten into submission suggests a society that crushes the dreams and aspirations of those who are not in power. The final line of the song, "Free at last, watch the world cave in," suggests that even in the face of destruction and chaos, there is still a sense of hope and freedom.
Line by Line Meaning
The world's caving in
The state of the world is collapsing
I got tickets for two
I have tickets for a show or spectacle that we can attend together
They're not the best seats
The seats are not of high quality or in a prime location
And they're not the best view
Our view of the situation is not optimal or perfect
Take my hand, you can squeeze on my arm
Hold onto me for support or comfort during this trying time
Wake from your slumber, baby
Become aware and alert to the current state of affairs
It's gonna start
The event or occurrence is imminent
It was worth the price of admission
The experience is valuable enough to justify the cost
The two of us watch the world cave in
Together, we observe the world's decline
Like the prophecy calls
As predicted by an ancient or religious prophecy
Barter redemption
Trade something valuable for salvation or forgiveness
For diamonds and pearls
In exchange for material wealth and luxury
The rich got the camel
Wealthy individuals are benefiting even in dire circumstances
Through the eye of a needle
Achieving something with great difficulty or rarity
The deed in itself was inherently evil
The act performed was inherently immoral or wicked
When all has been said and written
When everything is accounted for and analyzed
They're releasing the souls
Souls are being set free
Trapped in the earth
Stuck in the ground or underground
Where, we can't hear their calls
Unable to hear the voices or cries of the trapped souls
Unbelievable torture
Extreme pain or anguish beyond one's comprehension
You wouldn't believe
Difficult to imagine or accept
This is their passion, their chance to be free
The souls are eager and willing to escape their confinement
But they're beaten into submission
Forced to obey or surrender through physical abuse
Free at last, watch the world cave in
Finally liberated and witnessing the world's collapse
When all has been said and written
When everything is accounted for and analyzed
The two of us watch the world cave in
Together, we observe the world's decline
Lyrics © OBO APRA/AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind