Hit Parade - Pick of the Pops (Vol. 1)

by Tommy Gunnarsson

published: 31 / 8 / 2012

Label: JSH Records
Format: CD

Essential compilation from long-standing and influential London-based indie pop act, the Hit Parade

Review

Being associated with the legendary Sarah Records label is sometimes enough for a band to gain new fans all the time, even though they just release a new album every ten years or so. For British trio the Hit Parade, this is more or less the case. They released their first singles before Sarah Records wasn't even thought of in 1984 and 1985, but that didn't stop them from recording music that could be sorted under ”tweepop”, with great melodies and a drum machine that sounded more like a fishing boat than real drums. Since the release of those first singles almost 30 years ago, Julian Henry and his bandmates have released five albums (the first one, 'With Love from the Hit Parade', was a compilation of those early singles), plus a bunch of singles and EPs, and it's about time that those of you who have never heard them get a chance to buy a compilation of their very best songs. As always when bands compile a ”best of” compilation, you will get THEIR favourite songs, which isn't always YOUR favourite songs. But all in all, I would say that the Hit Parade have picked the right songs here, and among the 20 tracks included here I found favourites like 'My Favourite Girl', 'In Gunnerbury Park', 'Huevos Mexicanos' and 'You Didn't Love Me Then'. The only song that I really missed was 'Let Her Go', originally included on the compilation 'Imminent 4' back in 1986, but also available on the aforementioned earlier compilation 'With Love From...'. Generally I am more fond of the Hit Parade's earlier years, as they tended to lean more and more against ballads as the years passed, but, with that said, these 20 songs are all good, and a must in every indiepop fan's record shelf. Especially since those original records are all sold out by now.

Track Listing:-

1 The First Time
2 You Didn't Love Me Then
3 Boy Who Loves Brighter
4 In Gunnersbury Park
5 The Sun Shines In Gerrards Cross
6 In My Arms
7 House Of Sarah
8 The Queen Of Mousehole
9 Huevos Mexicana
10 On The Road To Beaconsfield
11 Sugar
12 Hitomi
13 My Favourite Girl
14 Hello Hanna Hello
15 I Like Bubblegum
16 A I Lay Dying
17 See You In Havana
18 Christmas Tears
19 My Stupid Band
20 Autobiography