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:

EP Beat: First Rate People

Someone Else Can Make A Work of Art   4/5


  Ontario's First Rate People release their latest offering, Someone Else Can Make a Work of Art EP, easily some of the best pop of the year.

Sound Waves: First Rate People

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

   Toronto collective First Rate People, have done it again! 2011 has seen the band produce one infectious hit after another including their latest single 'Someone Else Can Make A Work of Art' a breezy summer tune, a follow-up to January's dance jam 'Funny Games.' With summer in full swing First Rate People's latest fits right into that cottage summer playlist

Hear It First: First Rate People

FIRST RATE PEOPLE ANNOUNCE SPRING TOUR & NEW SINGLE

   Kicking off 2011 First Rate People have released their latest single 'Funny Games' a juicy, genre bending single mixing alt-pop with 90s R&B beats together for one satisfying slice of ear candy. Available via the band's Bandcamp site, it's worth getting your hands on.

   In addition to their new single, the band has announced a spring tour with Born Ruffians throughout Ontario and Montreal. Kicking the tour off this March keep your eyes peel for more from First Rate People over the coming year.

3/23/11 – Peterborough, ON @ The Legendary Red Dog
3/24/11 – Waterloo, ON @ Starlight Social Club
3/25/11 – Kingston, ON @ The Grad Club
3/26/11 – Hamilton, ON @ The Casbah
3/27/11 – St. Catherines, ON @ L3 Nightclub
3/29/11 – London, ON @ Call The Office
3/30/11 – Barrie, ON @ TBD
3/31/11 – Ottawa, ON @ Ritual Nightclub
4/1/11 – Montreal, PQ @ La Sala Rossa

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

Record Review: First Rate People

First Rate People - It's Never Not Happening EP 4/5

Myspace

Owen Sound's First Rate People are an indie-pop gem that have grabbed the attention of not only indie music fans but even Pitchfork. It's Never Not Happening the bands debut EP only cements the band's credibility as indie-pop darlings. Following their debut single, "Girls' Night" Slinky slice of pop that recalls the Tom Tom Club's "Genius Love".

Much of the EP's remaining tracks build off that disco grooves that are instant dancefloor jams, like "Charlie Kaufman" and "Orion". "Dress So Fine" is a playful song that finds similar sounds to that of the Dirty Projectors but there's no complaining here, even playing in some of their initial folk beginnings like "It's Never Not Happening Pt. 1". The band's colourful indie-pop is hard to resist and with their latest single "Gentlemen's Club" (not found on their EP), it's clear First Rate People are no fluke.

Download - "Gentlemen's Club"

Single Selections: Rah Rah

Rah Rah - Arrows 3.5/5

Myspace

The pop-rock collective's lead-off single from their sophomore effort, Breaking Hearts, "Arrows" is a reminder of the band's magnitude. Thumping beats, clashing cymbals and pure energy, it's no wonder "Arrows" is finding love on CBC Radio 3's Top 30.

Shad - Yaa I Get It 5/5

Myspace

Hailing from London, Ontario, Shad is arguably one of the best hip-hop artists ever to hail from Canada. "Genetic freak, poetically".... we agree, Shad spits rhymes like the best in hip-hop. Yaa we get it, Kanye and Common take notice.

A B & The Sea - Suzie 3/5

Myspace

The San Francisco by way of Wisconsin trio, find sun, sand and a carefree vibe on their single, Suzie from the Boys & Girls EP. It's a retro pop tune that's fun and breezy. Beach Boys they are not but everyone enjoys a good hand clap now and then.

First Rate People - Gentlemen's Club 4/5

Myspace

Owen Sound's First Rate People, live up to their name with the lush, sweet harmonies, and foot taping beat of "Gentleman's Club". It's alt-pop candy that's sultry and addictive, you'll be left wanting more.

KT Tunstall - Push That Knot Away 3.5/5

Youtube

Released as a Youtube clip, the Scottish singer/songwriter takes on a booming beat, an edgier rock sound and electronic elements in her departure from her coffee house sound. It's got energy, a bit of brass, and a sweet bass solo, plus Tunstall's echoing vocals, not her best but we're not complaining.