Idols Of Exile - Jason Collett
Metascore
77 out of 100

Generally favorable reviews - based on 12 Critics

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 10 out of 12
  2. Negative: 0 out of 12
  1. There are 12 distinct songs on Idols Of Exile, united by Collett's light touch and sense of snap.
  2. 86
    It's a roots record unashamed of its roots, derivative maybe only because it's so unabashedly traditional. [#19, p.102]
  3. Idols is not quite "country" enough to tackle the road to the prairies, but the headspace of the album is clearly in a place with plenty of room to breathe.
  4. Collett dispenses with the mundane conventions of the singer/songwriter genre as he forges portraits both intimate and worldly over engaging arrangements and lyrics. [Apr/May 2006, p.115]
  5. Simplicity works here, and even though the album may not have a clear direction, the array of song topics is catchy enough to make this alt-rock/indie/country/folk experience work.
  6. At his most direct, he fully holds his own against the likes of [Ryan] Adams or Ron Sexsmith, and for his compositional skill, Idols Of Exile is perhaps a more consistent album than either of those two has released.
  7. It's Collett's ability to lyrically and aurally crystallize moments in time that makes this album such a delight.
  8. Idols of Exile is consistently solid; the songs are fully realized and, ultimately, memorable.
  9. One of the greatest singer-songwriter albums to come out of Canada in the last ten years. [#12, p.90]
  10. 70
    Collett's debut album reveals him as an alt.country confessionalist akin to Paul Westerberg. [Apr 2006, p.108]
  11. It is a more stripped-down affair compared to Broken Social Scene's more ambitious material.
  12. [An] interesting album. [Apr 2006, p.204]
User Score

Universal acclaim- based on 13 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 9 out of 10
  2. Negative: 0 out of 10
  1. ZachF
    9
    On Idols of Exile, Jason Collett shows an exceptionally mature and sophisticated singer-songwriter divergence from his work on Broken Social Scene's self-titled album. With help from the rest of the Arts and Crafts pool, Collet creates masterful vocal and instrumental arrangements reminiscent of Wilco's A Ghost Is Born, though Idols proves to be an even more traditionally based take on the Indie-Alt-Country angle. A terrific release and a wonderful new asset for the growing Arts and Crafts empire. Full Review »
  2. GarthE
    9
    Fine debut album. The compilation does not fit into one genre. Taken individually per song he keeps to the chosen standard and makes each his own. Can be digested after several listens, but asks you to come back for many more, which is why I gave it a 9. Full Review »
  3. [Anonymous]
    10
    Solid, Top to bottom