The New Amsterdams

“Story Like a Scar” (Vagrant Records)

Compare to: The Weakerthans,The Stands

REVIEW: 3.5 / 5

In short: After a disappointing 2005 release, The New Amsterdams return strong with a fresh batch of their trademark hybrid of country, punk and indie rock.

Led by Matthew Pryor, former frontman of the now-defunct emo supergroup The Get Up Kids, The New Amsterdams offers a sound that is easily distinguishable, yet difficult to pigeonhole.

The New Amsterdams are constructed around the finest traditions of indie rock, country and the melodious emo-punk that brought The Get Up Kids legions of teary-eyed fans. Members of the band have managed to find an interesting niche in today’s independent music scene.

“Story Like a Scar” doesn’t stray far from the band’s previous offerings: A concoction of breezy, country-infused pop tunes, wandering paradigms of college radio and upbeat acoustic jams crafted from a malleable punk-rock mold.

The whimsical album standout “Past the Pines” swings delicately between a bouncy merry-go-round verse and a slide-guitar lead that dives the chorus into a twangy, melancholy low worthy of “Austin City Limits.”

Lyrically, Pryor touches on everything from faith in God in “A Small Crusade” to life as a touring musician in “Beautiful Mistake.” On the angst-driven punk song “Intelligent Design,” Pryor lashes out at his home state Kansas for their fusion of religion and science in the classroom.

Although surely no replacement for fans of The Get Up Kids, “Story Like a Scar” promises a new era of heartfelt, thoughtful and well-executed music from Matthew Pryor and company.

– Tyler Barrett