EP Beat: Body Language

Social Studies (Deluxe Edition)   3.5/5

  Brooklyn's Body Language find a sweet spot between spacey funk and dancefloor grooves. Social Studies (Deluxe Edition) gives a variety of soul-flavored electro-pop that ranges from the disco synth of "Falling Out" to bouncy, playful pop of title track "Social Studies."

Single Selections: Oct. 18, 2011

Arkells - Bloodlines   3/5   iTunes


   Hamilton, ON's Arkells have dropped their latest, Michigan Left, with their track "Bloodlines" as iTunes Single of the Week. A pleasing jangly rock tune that's radio-ready and like cohorts Tokyo Police Club or Hey Rosetta!, Arkells seem destined for bigger and better things.

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 Wave: Savoir Adore

Savoir Adore - Dreamers

Record Revue: Blondie

Panic of Girls   3/5


  It's been some 30 years since Blondie produced their biggest hits "Heart of Glass" or "Rapture,"  while decades have passed since their rein as punk-new wave innovators, Deborah Harry and company still have a few tricks up their sleeves.

Video of the Week: Big Tree

                                                Big Tree - Storm King from Big Tree on Vimeo.

Big Tree - Storm King

   "Storm King" is a simple concept but one S.V. can't help but love. Running along asphalt, sand, a chalkboard, grass and down walls, the video slowly reveals feet walking in the grass, playing in the sand, paint running down the wall, and a skateboard rolling along the asphalt. It's all harmless enough and yet oddly hypnotic, when set to Big Tree's gorgeous indie pop tune. 

We Were Lovers Find the Right Grooves

We Were Lovers @ Horseshoe Tavern/Rancho Relaxo

   Saskatoon's dance-pop darlings We Were Lovers recently embarked on their North American tour, hitting Toronto for two performances earlier this week at the Horseshoe Tavern, and Rancho Relaxo with Toronto's Freedom or Death. Since the duo's previous appearance in June for Toronto's NXNE 2011, they've added a key element to their live performances, a drummer in Brad Heck. 

Sound Wave: Jane's Party

Jane's Party - Alone Together

Jane's Party Celebrate & Gramercy Riffs Rock Out

Jane's Party @ Horseshoe Tavern

   Putting on a party for the release of their self-titled EP, Jane's Party brought their fun, catchy indie-pop to the Horseshoe Tavern Thursday Night with the help of some friends The Fast Romantics, Gramercy Riffs (more on them later) and Entire Cities.

Video Of The Week: Liam Finn

Liam Finn - Jump Your Bones

   New Zealand rocker Liam Finn's latest video for "Jump Your Bones" is an oddly captivating video. Simple black and white enhances the experience of Finn's intense facial expressions, wind machine in his face and the awesome ripple of the cymbols and drums in slow-motion. Not to mention is acrobatic drumming as the videos finale, it's both a good tune, and a video that's funny and cool all at once.

Record Revue: Lights

Siberia   3.5/5


   After releasing gripping collaboration "Everybody Breaks A Glass" with Shad and production by two members of indie-electro band Holy F***! it was hard to imagine what Toronto's Lights had in store for her follow up to her slick electro-pop 2009 debut.

Record Revue: Feist

Metals   4/5


 2007 wasn't so long ago, yet four years ago, iPods were still the main event and Leslie Feist had capture mainstream music's heart by simply singing those breezy numbers "1 2 3 4." The Reminder was an unofficial marker that blurred the lines between indie rock and pop, it's breezy pop was clever, confident and disarmingly pleasant. Bringing Feist international acclaim and plenty of new fans.

Sound Wave: Ms Mr

Ms Mr - Ghost City USA EP

Record Revue: Blink - 182

Neighborhoods   2.5/5


  Blink-182 became famous as Clinton-era punks run amok in suburbia, but 2003's eponymous Blink-182 saw a shift in the bands pop-punk sound for more experimental elements resulting in the band's more mature sound. Neighborhoods, the band's first LP in eight years, picks up where they left off.

Video of the Week: The Paint Movement

The Paint Movement - Young Lights

   Mississauga's The Paint Movement have been on Shattered Vinyl's radar/playlist for quite some time, "Young Lights," the band's first single and video feel like an appropriate fit for the beginning of the season. It's visually intriguing use of finger paint, not to mention the tracks light horns, male-female voices and shimmering guitar strings make for one hell of an alluring track, simply put... the one must track for your fall playlist.