Jason Collett: Here's to Being Here

Label: Arts & Crafts

On his third solo album, Jason Collett of Broken Social Scene is full of great wide-open gusto but is a little too pensive to actually get up and start running – which makes the title of the album (Here’s to Being Here) entirely fitting. Collett, seen on the cover unshaven and wearing a flannel shirt, plays indie cowboy as he channels a little Springsteen edge and a bit of Dylan’s lazy twang. But he can’t hide his art-rock roots with a little harmonica and a couple songs that start with “roll on,” especially with feature appearances from a handful of his friends, including Andrew Whiteman of Apostles of Hustle and BSS, Liam O’Neil of the Stills and Tony Scherr. But his album is at its best when his roots are exposed -in “Sorry Lori” Collett gives away his Canadian tongue when he rhymes “Lori” with “sorry.” It’s way cute. (Margi)