The New Amsterdams - Never You Mind (2000)

Matthew Pryor has let the sun shine his way with his side band the New Amsterdams and he attempts to let out any sentimentality riddling his system. This sad-core singer/songwriter made lush indie rock poetry with his other band the Get Up Kids and his cheerless lyrics were raw and wounded, and hardcore was finally able to shed its callused rock skin. The New Amsterdams' debut Never You Mind placates the frustration in a wispy, folk beauty for surely Pryor has tried to outdo himself this time.
Never You Mind would make Elliott Smith proud and it would even make Lou Barlow raise an eyebrow, but the loose acoustics are enjoyable and therapeutic with its grainy hooks and circular compositions. This is an honest record where the craftsmanship is perfectly stripped, not hushing like his emo predecessors, but certainly moving in a way where the simplicity still matters. Songs such as "Every Double Life" and "Lonely Hearts" indicate a heartbreaker's sucking punch, a lovesucker lost in being denied. It's truthful and impressive at the same time; such word depictions are automatically real. The band turns up the melodies on "Proceed With Caution" and "Goodbye," and it's sweetly tainted with witty pop characteristics matching the likes of Weezer. "When We Two Parted is the album's most stunning track -- jaunty despite the bruising of his inmost soul. Pryor appears refreshed, even a little confident when exposing this and the New Amsterdams and Never You Mind are both a testament to that.