Never You Mind

by

The New Amsterdams

Edit

The Get Up Kids have developed a pretty solid fan base over the years, becoming one of rock's most solid "emo" bands. With two records, and two EPs under their collective belts, the band's sound has become a mainstay of the indie rock world. However, that's not enough to stop the band's front-man, Matt Pryor, from developing side projects with a different sound. Already the sometimes-rock, sometimes-metal, sometimes-who knows? spoof band, Reggie and the Full Effect has proved that, even when joking, Matt and Co. can still rock your socks off. Now, he takes a different approach: his first solo project, the New Amsterdams, is an acoustic, lyric-driven album, but it doesn't skimp on the chords, either. The tracks betray a vulnerability; a result of too many betrayals and broken relationships. The only danger is that the songs may start to blend together, but Matt is able to vary the pace enough to keep a listener attentive enough to hear his beautiful and heartbreaking lyrics. A great album, enough to make one eager for the release of his up-coming split with Dashboard Confessional.