Customer Reviews

Idols of Exile

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If anyone has been looking for that one CD to blast in your car stereo with the top rolled down while you're cruisin down the highway... then look no further than this brilliant piece of work.

The music on this CD is absolutley fantastic. Fans of Broken Social Scene will be familiar with Jason's work but it takes on an almost countrified sound compared to what BSS usually does. He uses his bandmates to create the sounds of what should be on everyones summer playlist. I am also amazed at Jason's talent as a lyricist.... saying so much in so little words. Leslie Feist and Amy Millan (Stars) provide background vocals (along with other members of BSS) while Emily Haines (Metric) guests for a duet in the foot stompin' HANGOVER DAYS.

All the tracks on this CD are standouts but if I could only pick three, they would have to be FIRE, HANGOVER DAYS, and of course, WE ALL LOSE ONE ANOTHER.

There is something so magical about Jason Colletts voice, his soft words are very enjoyable to listen to when relaxing in bed, driving, or getting high with a small group of friends. I highly suggest you get this cd if your fans of Elliott Smith, Stars, Sloan or any other band that sounds similar to the ones I listed.

hes just that amazing

This is a great album. I first heard Jason Collett's older tracks (such as Blue Sky) but didn't really think it was anything really special. Lately I heard him open for Metric. His music was obviously different than Metric's and the crowd was a little impatient to see Metric hit the stage. But, I picked up his album afterwards and realized that it's really amazing. He has a great voice and this album has a great summer-y, light, happy feel to it. My favourite track is "Fire" and to make things even better Emily Haines (lead singer of Metric) sings in "Hangover Days" with him. His music is rock-country. But don't get me wrong. I don't like country music but it's just a great mix of acoustic guitars, great vocals, etc. Give it a listen!

Great artist! Not super main-stream, but doesnt try to be. If you like Dylan you will love Jason Collet! Very talented guy, and some great duets on this album. Good listening music, hang out with your friends, crack open a few drinks, throw on this CD!

Jason Collett has a voice that's appealing, easy and versatile. This album makes me want to be friends with him. Great solo record and good to listen to on a sunny day (regardless of the season).

When I picked up Idols of Exile I actually didn't know who Jason Collett was. There was some number I had heard on the radio and I was determined to figure out who it was behind the jingle in my head. For reasons still unclear I wound up with Idols Of Exile in my hands. Three years later, I still have no clue what that 2005 song was, but I have gone to two Jason Collett concerts and just purchased his latest release.

What Idols of Exile showcases is a straight-forward folk-rock sound that Collett's laid back vocal charm prevents from becoming downer acoustic strumming. This is summer time morning music to cure a hangover to or enjoy a cottage weekend with. The songs clearly deal with issues personal to Collett but the jam-band feel of the music allows it to be a fun collection of jingles.

Nowhere does the back and forth balance appear more then on We All Lose One Another. While the song clearly deals with deep themes of loss, it is announced by a striking acoustic riff and anchored by as catchy a sing-along chorus as you're going to hear. It allows a potential downer acoustic track to be turned into a grandiose statement of life.

This balance allows Idols of Exile to be both fun and deep at the same time. It isn't light and frothy but it also isn't dark and dreary. As if a Bob Dylan fanatic is being kept an eye on by a Beatles fan. If you think such comparisons are too strong for an independent singer-songerwriter, remember, there's a reason why I know now who Jason Collett is.

Not to mention his involvement with Toronto's uprising indie rock scene, or being the guitarist for breakthrough Canadian band Broken Social Scene, singer/songwriter Jason Collet's seconds solo album Idol's of Exile exemplifies a brand of straightforward, observational lyricism overshadowing a laidback Americana ensemble. Collet's raspy croon shows hints of Tom Petty, especially showcased in the rousing chorus of "Pink Nights", a slow blues driven country ballad. Collet's songwriting stands out on its own with his unorthodox style, "I love it when my girlfriend calls me a cocking sucking faggot", not a line you would expect to hear in a folk song. Collet's polished roots-rock sound reaches a maximum with the uplifting, driven track "I'll Bring the Sun", and duet with Emily Haines on "Hungover Days". All together Idol's of Exile swells with exceptional songwriting and driven, yet simplified acoustic rock. Jason Collet makes a fine addition to the wave of smart and stylish singer/songwriters sweeping the nation, an indie rock spectacle unfolding before us.

This is a fairly simple record executed extraordinarily well.

jason collett, of the musically expansive collective broken social scene, has put himself into a corner. He writes such simple songs without complication, with verse after verse of abstract but profound lyrics that come off at times like a canadian jeff tweedy. collett and the other members of broken social scene create a joyous sound that is buoyant where similar efforts have sounded derivative, handclaps not withstanding. but its the focus of the more astute cultural observations such as in songs like "feral republic" and sense of loss in "we all lose one another" that catch one offguard. "almost summer" offers a woozy unfolding narrative that never too reaches far, while tom petty vocals appropriately lag behind simple acoustic figures.

and while most bemoan the idea of another alt-country record, relax. there are enough musical detours like "pavement puddle stars," "fire" with its staccato synths, vibes, and "riot on an empty street" harmonies from bss contributor leslie feist. the "tinsel and stardust" delivery is made more affecting as one vocal repeats the other's lyric with more reservation than as it was delivered; a difficult task indeed. and no album is sonically complete without the defining jangly tune, "i'll bring the sun"

for someone who spends most of his time deconstructing the nature of pop songcraft, he has a remarkable command over such a small musical palette. don't quit your day job jason, but it sounds like you belong in the mountains.