Best of 2011... Best Songs

    The year's best songs included breakout singles about break-up sex from The Vaccines, Coldplay doing their best Rihanna impression, Lady Gaga's arena anthem to Nicki Minaj serving up some bass, and Austra losing it. 

50. First Rate People - 'Someone Else Can Make A Work of Art'

           First Rate People lived up to their name with a playful, breezy summer single that we had in constant rotation.
  First Rate People - Someone Else Can Make A Work Of Art by Meet You At The Show

49. Ambassadors - 'Unconsolable'

           Industrial dums, shades of The Police and Hall & Oates it's a hidden pop gem. 
  Unconsolable by Ambassadors

48. Cat's Eyes - 'Over You'

           The Horrors' frontman Faris Badwan teamed up with Vancouver's Rachel Zeffira for '60s girl groups fun.
  Cat's Eyes - Over You by edin2sun

47. The Paint Movement - 'Fortune's Window'

            Boy/Girl vocals, an unpredictable melody, plenty of horns and just enough chaos to make things interesting and one hell of a joyous listen.
  The Paint Movement - Fortune's Window by Nevado
       

46. Bluebell - 'Normal Heights'

           An alluring rhythmic, symphonic pop track from a rather mysterious pop outfit had us hooked.
  Normal Heights by BLUEBELL

Best of 2011... Best EPs

   The EP is always a great way for up and coming artists to introduce themselves to audiences, or for established bands to tease fans with new/extra tunes and in the past year there was no shortage of EPs floating around, so Shattered Vinyl picked the best of the best in EPs for 2011 with the Best EPs of 2011:

Video of the Week: Data Romance

Data Romance - She's Been High

   Data Romance follow-up their ghostly video treatment of "The Deep", with "She's Been High" a simple, sleek black and white video featuring singer Amy Kirkpatrick as the focal point. The videos warmth comes from Amy's honest emotion, but arguably the music pulls focus from Amy with it's intense, addictive groove. Ready to embark on tour with Digitalism, Data Romance keep delivering new music that's worth our attention.

Sound Wave: Data Romance

Data Romance - Spark

EP Beat: Data Romance

Data Romance - Data Romance EP   4.5/5   iTunes
   
   After tantalizing singles like 'Bones' that teased of what's to come from Ajay Bhattacharyya and Amy Kirkpatrick (aka. Data Romance) the wait is over. The electro duo's self-titled debut EP doesn't miss a beat, showcasing a variety of styles the Vancouver Duo are set to take electronic-pop to new heights. 

20 Must See Artists At NXNE

Toronto's annual NXNE (North By Northeast) is in full swing and Shattered Vinyl has the lowdown on 20 Artists worth checking out at NXNE 2011. We've got you covered on where to be and when, to get the best music Canada's premiere festival has to offer. 

A Horse And His Boy

LONDON, ON

Friday, June 17th 11pm @ Hard Luck Bar

Saturday, June 18th 3am @ Rancho Relaxo

Genre: Alternative

Single Selections: Kimbra

Kimbra - Cameo Lover   3.5/5   Youtube

   The neo-soul/pop songstress from New Zealand drops her latest single 'Cameo Lover' from her forthcoming album Vows. Complete with vibrant tambourines 'Cameo Lover' channels equal parts Motown and contemporary pop spun in the mould of a classic 50s pop tune that's a refreshing departure from the dance heavy pop dominating Top 40.

Sound Waves

Data Romance - Bullets

10 Artists to Watch In 2011

   2010 was another great year in music and 2011 proves to be equally as exciting, and with so much music to look forward to, we've decided to look at ten artists worth watching in the new year. Whether they are new or familiar faces they all look to make 2011 a year worth remembering. 

10. First Rate People  Myspace

  First Rate People aren't exactly creating phenomenal buzz, but that's not to say they haven't already earned enough praise and proven themselves to earn a place as one of 2011's Artists to Watch. 

 The Toronto based outfit started 2010 with praise from Pitchfork, with their first single 'Girls' Night' a bouncy alt slice of '90s R&B, that's pure infatuation and highly addictive. 

 The band followed up their impressive first single with a self-release debut EP, It's Never Not Happening, and their second single, 'Gentlemen's Club' featuring Luke LaLonde of Born Ruffians on backing vocals. That was 2010, so why are they worth watching in 2011? 

   There's no word on what's next for the young Toronto band but if First Rate People manage to produce even one song like the aforementioned singles, full of optimism, relaxed beats and continue to channel a healthy dose of '90s R&B, alt rock and pop elements circa the Tom Tom Club it will be well worth the wait. 


   Gentlemen's Club (feat. Luke LaLonde & GenerationFK) by First Rate People by Shattered Vinyl

In Focus: Data Romance

Data Romance - Bones from Data Romance on Vimeo.

Watch the energizing black and white video for Data Romance's latest single 'Bones.' Shot in a single take with no edits at Sugar Studios in Vancouver. Don't forget to download their Bones EP and pay with a tweet at their official website.

Single Selections (Extended Edition): Data Romance

Data Romance - Bones 4.5/5

Official Website

Vancouver's Data Romance are a striking blend of sophisticated atmosphere pop/rock and electronic beats, this duo is a medium between Lykke Li and Bjork. It's a dark trance, that will have you grooving and leave you wanting more! If you like what you hear download their EP on their official website and pay with a tweet on Twitter.