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The New Amsterdams - "The Connoisseur"
This week we're delivering you a lovely, previously unreleased piano and harmony-laced power ballad by Lawrence, Kansas post-Get Up Kids quartet the New Amsterdams. They just released their sixth album At the Foot of My Rival on their own Elmar label with Curb Appeal (partially owned by another ex-Kid, Jim Suptic). It's the band's first post-Vagrant outing. Here's vocalist Matthew Pryor -- who, it should be noted, started the New Amsterdams in '99, while the Get Up Kids were still very much up and running -- on "The Connoisseur":
What's the story behind the song? It's a fictional story about a guy who loses a girl to another guy who isn't really in love with her, but is more of a connoisseur or a collector of women, and how he comes to terms with that loss.
Who's "The Connoisseur" modeled after? I don't know. I'm sure he's out there, though. Lately, I've pictured that joker "Mystery" from VH1's The Pickup Artist.
Why wasn't the track included on At the Foot of My Rival? It didn't really fit. A full band version is going to be released on an album in the future.
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