Killed or Cured

Released in early 2006, Killed or Cured represents a pivotal moment for Matt Pryor's New Amsterdams, moving further away from the indie-rock leanings of his primary band, The Get Up Kids, into a refined, Americana-influenced folk space. The album is notable for its instrumentation, particularly the prominent use of the upright bass, which provides a 'woody' swing that distinguishes it from the era's more standard acoustic-pop offerings. Recorded with a focus on intimacy, the production is intentionally sparse, highlighting Pryor's transition from an emo pioneer to a mature singer-songwriter. The tracks often clock in under three minutes, functioning as brief, evocative vignettes of life, loss, and self-reflection. Critically, it is often cited as one of the project's most cohesive and emotionally resonant works, bridging the gap between the raw energy of early 2000s indie and the more traditional roots music that would define Pryor's later solo output.