New Amsterdams - Story Like A Scar
by Benjamin Howarth
published: 17 / 5 / 2006
Label:
Select Label
Format: CD
intro
Eclectic and timeless first album from the New Amsterdams, the new band of former Get-Up Kids front man Matt Prior
Even when there was that brief moment at the beginning of 2002 when ‘emo’ was a respectable term, Matt Prior hated it. His band, the Get Up-Kids may have had the quintessential emo sound (whiny vocals, not quite punk - not quite indie, introspective-ish lyrics about sad things and broken relationships) and looks (studenty, basically, but not the sort that plays for the rugby team) but he was not emo, dammit. Emo or not, (who cares about these classifications in the days when the angry and under- employed music fan has the existence and popularity of the Kooks to worry about?) the Get Up Kids were a fine band, whose 2000 album 'Something To Write Home About' really does merit its title. I listen to it often, and I was disappointed that Matt Prior (fed up with being called emo, we imagine) broke up the band to concentrate on his hitherto ignored side project, the New Amsterdams. ‘Story Like A Scar’ has a title far more emo than anything the ’Kids ever put out (oh the irony), but the music really isn’t emo at all. Fans of his earlier albums, however, won’t be offended by anything here, and the biggest change is that some of his songs sound even more honest, and have more gravitas. ‘Turn Out The Light’ has a late-night vibe, smoky and husky, and a tender lyric. It is the best moment here, but ‘The Death Of Us’, with its Neil Young harmonica, ‘Past The Pines’, which could have slotted nicely onto Big Star’s 'Third', and the Thin Lizzy-isms of ‘Intelligent Design’ all come close. After a half hour of music, and nine proper songs, the CD spins to a halt. It may seem short by modern standards, but fits nicely into the timeless vibe the New Amsterdams clearly aspire to. Many bands don’t seem to realise that after one boring 60 minute album that only has 20 enjoyable minutes of music, few people will buy another. By contrast, ‘Story Like A Scar’ leaves us wanting more. Lovely stuff.
Track Listing:-
1 The Death of Us2 Turn out the Light
3 Bad Liar
4 Past the Pines
5 Your Ghost
6 Intelligent Design
7 Calendar Days
8 Beautiful Mistake
9 A Small Crusade
10 Turn out the Light (Reprise)
most viewed articles
current edition
In Dreams Begin Responsibilities - #15- On Being Dignified and Old aka Ten Tips From Jah Wobble On How To Be Happy.The Church - Interview with Steve Kilbey
Simon Heavisides - Destiny Stopped Screaming: The Life and Times of Adrian Borland
Secret Shine - Interview
Vetchinsky Settings - Interview
Repomen - Ten Songs That Made Me Love...
Flaming Stars - Interview
Near Jazz Experience - Interview
Jack Roscoe - Interview
Sami Sumner - Interview
most viewed reviews
current edition
Kula Shaker - Natural MagickIan Hunter - Defiance Part 2: Fiction
Lewis 'Burner' Pugh - Bullets for Bread
Hillbilly Moon Explosion - Back in Time
Inutili - A Love Supreme
My Life Story - Loving You is Killing Me
Beyonce - Cowboy Carter
Smalltown Tigers - Crush On You
David Cross Band - Ice Blue Silver Sky
Ty Segall - Three Bells
Pennyblackmusic Regular Contributors
Adrian Janes
Amanda J. Window
Andrew Twambley
Anthony Dhanendran
Benjamin Howarth
Cila Warncke
Daniel Cressey
Darren Aston
Dastardly
Dave Goodwin
Denzil Watson
Dominic B. Simpson
Eoghan Lyng
Fiona Hutchings
Harry Sherriff
Helen Tipping
Jamie Rowland
John Clarkson
Julie Cruickshank
Kimberly Bright
Lisa Torem
Maarten Schiethart