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Idols Of Exile Image
Metascore
77

Generally favorable reviews - based on 12 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
8.6

Universal acclaim- based on 13 Ratings

  • Summary: Howie Beck produced this latest studio outing for the Toronto singer-songwriter, who is also a member of Broken Social Scene. Many members of that band guest on this record, including Emily Haines and Kevin Drew.
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. Filter
    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. Paste Magazine
    80
    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. Idols of Exile is consistently solid; the songs are fully realized and, ultimately, memorable.
  6. Under The Radar
    70
    One of the greatest singer-songwriter albums to come out of Canada in the last ten years. [#12, p.90]
  7. It is a more stripped-down affair compared to Broken Social Scene's more ambitious material.

See all 12 Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 9 out of 10
  2. Negative: 0 out of 10
  1. [Anonymous]
    May 6, 2006
    10
    Solid, Top to bottom
  2. ERisen
    Feb 20, 2006
    10
    In a word: Awesome
  3. RonH
    Mar 1, 2006
    9
    Very nice album. Can't wait to listen to this one in the sunshine.
  4. EvanS
    Feb 27, 2006
    9
    A lovely, happy-bright and fully realized album.
  5. Cables
    Mar 6, 2006
    9
    Surprisingly polished but immediately friendly in comparison to the latest effort from broken social scene. A very powerful pop album.
  6. ZachF
    Sep 19, 2006
    9
    On Idols of Exile, Jason Collett shows an exceptionally mature and sophisticated singer-songwriter divergence from his work on Broken Social 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. Collapse
  7. Americo
    Mar 3, 2006
    5
    déjà vu ...

See all 10 User Reviews