NEW AMSTERDAMS release Killed Or Cured

April 24th, The New Amsterdams released a moving double disc of material. Matt Pryor, (New Ams frontman) is no novice to the indie music scene. Having spent ten years in The Get Up Kids and already releasing four albums with the New Amsterdams, he stands as one of independent music’s most prolific and respected songwriters. Following up 2003’s critically acclaimed Worse For the Wear, which even landed the band a performance on the David Letterman show, the band released Story Like A Scar in 2006. A highly touted tour with the Weakerthans, powerful performances at Coachella, Lollapalooza, Noisepop, the Ottawa Blues Fest, and numerous sold-out headline performances rounded out the last year with Pryor solidifying the New Ams as his full time band.

Amazingly, he still found the time to record a group of songs that have never been released called Killed or Cured. Originally he recorded them and distributed an online EP to fans garnering an overwhelming response. Later they decided to re-record the songs and finish the record with the band’s lush instrumentation. It makes the two CD set a very interesting listen showing the dichotomy of having acoustic versions on one disc, and orchestrated versions of all the songs on another. Many of these songs are staples in the band’s moving live performances.

Highlights include the moving, “Strangled by The Thought” which climaxes amidst distant piano and beckoning strings, “Drinking in the Afternoon” whose sing-song refrain and confessional lyrics immediately pull you in, and the banjo twang of “Has Anyone Seen My Wings” comprise some of Pryor’s best work. He explains, “I’m really proud of these songs and I’m glad people are finally going to get to hear them.”