Jason Colett - Rat A Tat Tat

There's really nothing quite like Toronto based musical collective Broken Social Scene, an ever-evolving and enterprising group of indie Canadian musicians who periodically get together to record (a new album is planned for May) and tour. Centered around the local label and management company Arts and Crafts, BSS boasts co-founders Keven Drew and Brendan Canning as well as an expansive roster of contributors including Leslie Feist, Amy Milan and Emily Haines. Jason Collett, whose superb fifth album Rat A Tat Tat streets March 9 on A+C, is yet another integral BSS member -- and one who may find (along with Feist) the greatest chance for success in the States.

For the successor to the critically well received 2008 album Here's To Being Here, Collett again summons the intonations of his influences -- Dylan, Kristofferson, Robertson, Springsteen, Petty, Waits -- while further finding his own distinctive voice. Rat A Tat Tat's organic and slightly dog-eared Americana (Canadiana?) sound is the perfect foundation for Collett's raspy, slightly nasal drawl (think a Dixie-fied Lou Reed), as songs such as the waltzing, wonderfully nuanced "Rave On Sad Songs" and "Winnipeg Winds" ebb and flow gracefully and naturally alongside the loose and swinging "Love Is A Dirty Word" and Love Is A Chain". Part storyteller, part indie/alt-country crooner, Collett has delivered one of the year's first essential listens. Highly recommended.

Myspace  Arts and Crafts Page

Jason Collett - "Rave On Sad Songs" (from the album Rat A Tat Tat)

Jason Collett - "Love Is A Dirty Word" (from the album Rat A Tat Tat)

Please respect and support the artist by listening -- and then buying the music! You'll sleep better!