Jason Collett

Here’s to Being Here (Arts & Crafts)

Toronto’s Jason Collett has evolved into a master songwriter since his days in Broken Social Scene. Following in the footsteps of Petty, Springsteen, and even Dylan, Collett offers a potent dose of a distinctly North American craft. His third solo effort tones down the all-inclusive blast of his last, Idols of Exile, and in effect has taken a cultural snapshot of classic AOR. With realistic intonation, Here’s to Being Here compiles Collett’s idols in the rollicking “Out of Time” and “Papercut Hearts,” but his clear shout-out “No Redemption Song” and dramatic “Not Over You” demonstrate a more mature voice and vision balanced by confidence. Collett strolls alone down a dusty road with an ass pocket of whiskey, his strong rasp a mirror image of his newfound independence. He’ll always sport that BSS tattoo, but with this effort, Jason Collett’s no longer searching for a defining sound. (Saturday, March 15, Parish, 11pm.)

***.5

This article appears in March 14 • 2008.

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