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Album Details

• Artist: Jason Collett
• Album: Rat A Tat Tat
• Label: Arts & Crafts
• Year of Release: 2010
• ME Rating:
• Reviewed by: tosnob on 2010-03-17

Over the course of his work with Broken Social Scene and slew of his own albums, Jason Collett has proven to be one of Canada's finest songsmiths. This week he returns with Rat a Tat Tat, his fifth solo record.

Fans shouldn't expect anything wild and crazy from Collett on this album. It's simply another collection of well-crafted, capably performed roots rock songs.

Collett gives us equal parts rock and twang through the album. Songs like the stripped down "Rave On Sad Songs" are built around the roots traditions and deftly counterbalanced by great pop rock tunes like "Long May You Love" and "The Slowest Dance". It all comes together in a perfect storm on the catchy blue collar rocker "Love Is a Dirty Word".

There are a few instances when Collett stretches his legs so to speak. "Winnipeg Winds" provides a dark, almost chilling atmosphere. While "Cold Blue Halo" would normally be described dull filler, Collett has woven layer upon layer of sound into the arrangement that makes the track intriguing to the listener at the very least. He even adds a couple shakes of swaying vibe ("Lake Superior") and well-placed Spanish guitar licks ("Vanderpool Vanderpool").

Thematically Collett still lets plenty of Canadiana shine through. The Toronto artist fills his songs with references to our expansive native land. He even manages to work in a shout out to that most difficult of Ontario towns to incorporate into song, Penetanguishene (rhyming it with 'jeans' in the clap-along "High Summer").

Groundbreaking Rat a Tat Tat may not be, but if there are any budding songwriters out there looking for tips, they can be found aplenty in this Jason Collett work.

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