Jason Collett – Rat a Tat Tat
This post was written by Benjiposted in Uncategorized |
Toronto native and Broken Social Scene contributor (but honestly, who isn’t in BSS?) Jason Collett has struck gold again with his junior LP Rat a Tat Tat. Collett effectively mixes a rugged machismo with an introspective sensitivity that seemingly can only be found up north. Building on the critical acclaim of his sophomore release Here’s to Being Here, Collett throws all the deliciously catchy hooks and head-bopping riffs he’s got into Rat a Tat Tat.
He starts off innocently enough with “Rave on Sad Songs,” a modernized western ballad that evokes the likeness of Josh Ritter. But as the testosterone charged “Lake Superior” rings in, you get the feeling that this album is going to cover quite a bit of musical ground. The album highlight “Love is a Dirty Word” features a trippy bassline that conjures up the sound of Of Montreal, exploding out into a summery chirp of synths and guitars underneath Collett’s best imitation of Bob Dylan. “Bitch City” tones it down a bit with a funky-as-funk guitar laying down the foundation for a soulful easy-listening track. “High Summer” is an AM radio homage, leading into the sparkling intro that begins the straightforward folk ditty “Cold Blue Halo”. But the respite is short, as Collett fires right into the folk-disco (folsco?) throwback “Love is a Chain”. The yearning of “Long May You Love” blends perfectly with the brimming optimism of “The Slowest Dance”, which eventually relents to the resolution that is “Winnipeg Winds” and “Vanderpool Vanderpool”.
Best line: “From the ugly Madam’s gilded room/ The ivories tinkle out a merry tune / While out in the street the Reverend’s gloom / Ain’t saving nobody” (From “Vanderpool Vanderpool”)
Grab a copy of Rat a Tat Tat.
Listen to “Love is a Dirty Word”
Listen to “The Slowest Dance“
Concert News
