Arts and Crafts

The best song on erstwhile Broken Social Scene member Jason Collett’s fifth solo full-length is “Love is a Dirty Word,” which – with its staccato bassline, scruffily bouncy drums and raspy vocals – sounds like Dylan via the Dust Brothers, all bravado groove and kitchen-sink funk. The rest of the album doesn’t quite hit the same peak, but Collett holds his own as a songwriter, plundering the same folk-rock depths as Pete Yorn ( “Love is a Chain” ) and mining the indie-rock vaults that have propelled Spoon to stardom ( “High Summer” ). Collett manages to step out from under the umbrella of his better-known band, even as he has a hard time finding his own identity; it’s not unique, but for a solo flight, it’s awfully fun.