RockMusic

Finalists in Orange unsignedAct 2008/09; Hip Parade now has a track available for download through iTunes in the form of ‘Girl On The Radio’. Hip Parade actually came second in the competition, all three artists have had a track digitally released through Polydor Records though, and ‘Girl On The Radio’ can therefore now be downloaded from iTunes for the mere price of 79p.

The lyrics aren’t particularly deep, and it’s not exactly the most original song you’ll ever here; ‘Girl On The Radio’ is a fantastically catchy little track though, and one that is most definitely well worth listening to. The chorus is brilliant, the verse pretty exciting also, and everything about the track is just incredibly uplifting to listen to. There’s a fantastic energy throughout the entirety of the track, and every time I hear this one I just can’t help but smile.

‘Girl On The Radio’ is a track that really makes you want to get up and dance; it’s fast, fun, and always the music is packed full of positivity. It starts well, progresses powerfully, and at all times here the music really is hugely entertaining to listen to.

I really thought Hip Parade was going to win Orange unsignedAct; of the three artists that made it to the final, I truly felt that Hip Parade was by far the band with the most commercial appeal and would therefore be the artist to secure the most votes. I was proven wrong when Tommy Reilly won the competition though, and Hip Parade was forced to settle for second place. It must have been very close I believe, and there can’t have been too many votes between the two artists, it’s excellent that Hip Parade has had a single released through Polydor also though, and perhaps if enough digital copies of the ‘Girl On The Radio’ single are sold then Hip Parade can join the ranks of Universal Music along with Tommy Reilly.

‘Girl On The Radio’ is a phenomenally catchy single, and for all those that like listening to pop rock then I’d definitely recommend downloading this one. At just 79p you can’t really go too far wrong in downloading ‘Girl On The Radio’, it’s not a huge price to pay to support the fantastic UK talent that is Hip Parade, and who knows; it could even help the band to make it into the Official UK Top 40 next Sunday.

Hip Parade is an absolutely brilliant UK band, and I’m sure we’ll be hearing plenty more from this fine UK talent in the not too distant future. 2009 will no doubt be a huge year for Hip Parade, and I just can’t wait to hear more of the band’s material. It’s surely only a matter of time before Hip Parade is signed to a successful record label and releasing music to the masses.

Rating: 4/5

Release Date: 25th January 2009
Record Label: Polydor
Genre: Rock

Website: HipParade.co.uk

Tommy Reilly has won Orange unsignedAct 2008, and has therefore won a record deal with Universal, and been given a cash advance of £60,000.

His debut single ‘Give Me A Call’ is available to download right now, and can be purchased from iTunes for the mere price of 79p. Support Tommy Reilly and give the track a download; the UK is in need of an artist like Tommy Reilly, and it’d be absolutely brilliant to see him in the Official UK Top 40 next week.

Defeating Hip Parade and the Scarlet Harlots in the final; Tommy Reilly has done a fantastic job to win, and the solo artist has ultimately proven to be more popular than the bands. Scarlet Harlots came third, and there was then a tense few minutes as Hip Parade and Tommy Reilly waited anxiously for the winner to be announced. Looking shocked to win; Tommy Reilly will no doubt be delighted that he’s been signed to Universal, and will now be looking forward to recording his debut album for the record label.

When asked what he’d do with the £60,000 after winning, Tommy Reilly was absolutely speechless. Completely lost for words, I don’t think the news had quite sunk in for young Tommy Reilly at the time, and it’ll probably be a while yet before he comes to terms with the fact that he’s now been signed to a major record label.

Tommy Reilly is the deserved winner of Orange unsignedAct 2008; many congratulations to the man, and I very much look forward to hearing more of his music in the future. Tommy Reilly has an absolutely fantastic voice, and with the right songs he will, without doubt, go on to sell a huge amount of records throughout his career.

American hardcore band No Friends has uploaded three new tracks to its MySpace page; ‘Set in Your Ways’, ‘No Friends’, and ‘Black Hearse’. The band features Tony Foresta from Municipal Waste on vocals, and members of New Mexican Disaster Squad also.

All three tracks are short, fast, and fun, and for those that like bands such as Black Flag, Minor Threat, and The Damned, then listening to these tracks is a definite must.

Head over to the band’s Myspace page to hear the music now, and chances are that if you like any of the aforementioned bands then you really will like what you hear.

The three tracks are from an album that the band is currently working on, and although no details about when the album will be released and through which label have yet been confirmed; on the basis of what the band has here offered with these three, when the studio album does come about it will be something really very special.

Keep checking the No Friends MySpace page for further updates about the album.

American indie rock band Death Cab For Cutie is covering The Cure’s ‘Lovesong’ for an upcoming Valentine’s Day compilation album from Starbucks Entertainment.

‘Sweetheart: Our Favorite Artists Sing Their Favorite Love Songs’ is to be released on January 30th, and as well as featuring Death Cab For Cutie, the compilation also features Katy Perry and Richard Hawley amongst others. Katy Perry covers Sam Sparro’s ‘Black and Gold’ for the compilation, and in total there are fourteen tracks appearing, including a cover of Coldplay’s ‘Yellow’.

This compilation album is quite a nice idea on behalf of Starbucks Entertainment, and no doubt the album will be bought for many this coming Valentine’s Day.

February 14th is not far away now, and with the album to be released on January 30th; that provides you with plenty of time to purchase the compilation for your loved one in time for that special day of the year that is Valentine’s Day.

Put a smile on the face of your partner this coming Valentine’s Day by providing them with a copy of ‘Sweetheart: Our Favorite Artists Sing Their Favorite Love Songs’; why not present them with a Cinnamon Dolce Latte at the same time, what could possibly make for a more heart-warming Valentine’s Day gesture than that?

The following is the full tracklist for the compilation album, including information about who sung the originals.

Death Cab For Cutie — “Love Song” (The Cure)
Katy Perry — “Black And Gold” (Sam Sparro)
DeVotchKa — “Hot Burrito #1 (I’m Your Toy)” (Flying Burrito Brothers)
Department Of Eagles — “Love Me” (Elvis Presley)
Jessica Lea Mayfield — “Words Of Love” (Buddy Holly)
Ben Bridwell — “Your Love Is Forever” (George Harrison)
Kate Tucker — “I’m On Fire” (Bruce Springsteen)
Rogue Wave — “Maps” (Yeah Yeah Yeahs)
A.C. Newman — “Take On Me” (A-Ha)
Jem — “Yellow” (Coldplay)
Richard Hawley — “Early Morning Rain” (Gordon Lightfoot)
Daniel Martin Moore — “I Hear Music” (Billie Holiday)
She & Him — “I Put A Spell On You” (Screamin’ Jay Hawkins)
Lila Downs — “My One And Only Love” (Frank Sinatra)

No Doubt will tour in 2009 for the first time in five years, and it has been confirmed that Paramore will provide support.

No Doubt went on hiatus in 2004 as the bands singer Gwen Stefani became heavily involved in her solo work. In March 2008 songwriting began for the band’s sixth studio album with the involvement of Gwen Stefani however, and the band will now be making a return to touring this year, with the new studio album expected to be released at some stage in 2010.

Only one date has so far been confirmed for No Doubt’s 2009 touring return, and that date is May 3rd, when the band will be playing New Jersey’s Bamboozle Festival.

It’s fantastic news that Paramore will be providing support for No Doubt, and many will surely show up excited to see the support band in action. Paramore is a band with an excellent live energy, and should really warm the crowd up well for No Doubt’s arrival on the stage.

The Sounds, Janelle Monae and Bedouin Soundclash will also be providing support on a rotation basis.