Awesome alt-pop with an old cool/classic feel – sometimes like Bob Dylan with more backing, sometimes like M Ward or Dr. Dog. Lots of funky, well-done instrumentation (electric and acoustic guitar, harmonica, piano, drums, shakers), singer/songwriter has a raspy twang and good lyrics. Collett is a former member of Broken Social Scene, but this is funkier than his earlier solo work. Nice backup choruses on most songs. This album is a keeper. FCC 4, 7, 8. Try 2, 3, 11.
1. Midtempo acoustic guitar, harmonica, piano, drums. Nice build to choral finish. 2. Drums, uptempo electroguitar. Cool feel, interesting instrumentation. 3. Islandy beat. Funky, fun. Bob Dylan takes a vacation in Fiji, but remembers his past life. 4. Lower tone, blips, drums, acoustic guitar. FCC in chorus (bitch). 5. Old classic rock cool. Midtempo. Loud mic distortion at the end. 6. Guitar arpeggios, sounds of something rolling across the floor. Dreamier, slower. The ending is multilayered cool. 7. Drums, acoustic guitar, scratchier vocals. FCC “fuck”. Poppier. 8. More sedate, acoustic, lots of harmonization on chorus. FCC. 9. Fun instrumentation, a mid-tempo invitation to make out! “When side A is over, we’ll switch to side B.” Oh yes. 10. Strange, slow/creepy/western/atmospheric. If The Coen Brothers made a movie version of The Oregon Trail (oh please oh please). 11. Piano/harmonica/drums/acoustic guitar. Sparer with more playfulness in the lyrics. Very Bob Dylany.