Matt Pryor plays down his status as an indie rock veteran on Confidence Man, which reintroduces the former Get Up Kids frontman as a mellow songwriter in the Americana vein. Toting an acoustic guitar, banjo, and harmonica, Pryor makes a fine transformation into a rustic troubadour, particularly when his pop sensibilities come into play. Loralai channels the Everly Brothers with bouncing guitar arpeggios and sweet harmonies, while the title track takes a page from the Dan Bern songbook, mixing handclaps and straightforward chord changes with an irresistible string of la la las. Had the New Amsterdams continued to explore the rootsy side of Pryor's personality, a beefed-up Confidence Man might have been the result, with an entire band tackling the songs that Pryor presents here in intimate, simple performances. Intimacy is one of Confidence Man's biggest assets, though, with Pryor helming the entire project (from the songs' composition to the album's production) on his own. There's a warm, personal air to the album, and Confidence Man ultimately emerges as a solid solo debut from someone who, until recently, always worked in tandem with others. If future efforts avoid the plodding, laid-back songcraft that dominates the album's latter half and focus on such pop-kissed folk as Loralai and Confidence Man, Pryor's new priority should serve him well. ~ Andrew Leahey, Rovi

1		A Totally New Year
2		Loralai
3		Still, There's A Light
4		When The World Stops Turning
5		I'm Sorry Stephen
6		We'll Be Fine
7		Confidence Man
8		I Wouldn't Change A Thing
9		Only
10		Dear Lover
11		Lovers Who Have Lost Their Cause
12		Where Did I Go Wrong
13		On How Our Paths Differ
14		Who Do You Think You Are
15		It Ends Here