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Warriors Of Nanpantan

by MJ Hibbett & The Validators

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1.
I was a bin-man I was a road sweeper I worked in shops Between the terms Then I found prosperity In Epidemiology I am the nice young man On the ground floor When I was a boy I used to dread The very idea of getting out of bed To go to work to earn a wage But now I find I've reached an age Where getting up is almost easy (Though I've never got used to it) And once you get there you get you get a nice cup of tea And plenty of time to drink it Because work's all right when it's a proper job Don't be put off by a holiday job Because work's all right when it's a proper job You can have a lot of fun Sat at your desk talking to someone who Could be up to thirty years older than you Play with your email, swapping the goss Sit around for hours and bitch about the boss And though they may force you to wear a shirt And waste the best part of the day Suggesting that you might do some work Well, at least you're getting paid Because work's all right when it's a proper job Don't be put off by a saturday job Because work's all right when it's a proper job You can have a lot of fun Nicking bits of stationary Getting pissed at the Christmas party Looking forward to the weekend Maybe even making a few new friends Getting up is still not easy And I'll never get used to it But when I'm there I get a nice cup of tea And plenty of time to drink it Yeah work's all right when it's a proper job Don't be put off by a holiday job Because work's all right when it's a proper job You can have a cup of tea Have a cup of tea for me Published by Wipe Out Music Publishing
2.
On a Monday in the Midlands there's not a lot to do The bar has finished serving they're getting rid of you You turn round to your friends and say "I don't exactly know, but i really want to boogie and there's one place we could go" Let's go Clubbing In The Week We can have too much to drink Have a dance and stay out late We're going Clubbing In The Week and it'll be GRATE! Yeah! Everybody in there looks like they are half your age But you are feeling groovy, there's no need to be ashamed Your friends ask what you're doing and you give them the answer "I'm The Greatest Dancer." Let's go Clubbing In The Week We can have too much to drink Have a dance and stay out late We're going Clubbing In The Week and it'll be GRATE! Yeah! Do you remember when we'd do this all the time? When we were students we'd go out every night But now we'll get a cab and try to forget That in four hours' time we'll have to get out of bed. Yeah yeah! So you climb up off the floor and drag yourself into work With piss-stains on your trousers and vomit on your shirt Everybody says to you "Good God, you look like death! I bet you won't do that again!" and you say "YEAH!" I'll go dancing in the week I will have too much too drink Have a dance and stay out late I love Clubbing In The Week because because going clubbing's BLOODY GRATE." Clubbing In The week because going Clubbing In The Week is GRATE Yeah yeah! Published by Wipe Out Music Publishing
3.
I can't believe the things that you come out with Did you leave your brains in a cheese and pickle sandwich? What makes you think that you can speak for us When everything you say is so boring and obvious? If you're so telepathic, why don't you leave? You're breathing the air i intended to breath You fucking hippy, with your paranoid neuroses You say that you're concerned about the world and its resources Let's help get rid of some waste We'll dump you in the ocean in a locked up metal case If you can see things so very very clearly Why are you so unutterably dreary? You hippy, with your whimsical delusion That if you grow your hair you can start the revolution The Establishment's aquake They know as well as i do that you're a fucking fake You believe in love and peace But you hate your friends and insist on eating meat You fucking hippy, you cannot change society By banging on about drugs and then going to a party If you want to cause a change I think it might be handy if you held onto your brains It's no longer a joke The world dissolves in poverty while you go up in smoke You fucking hippy You hypocrite You fucking hippy You are a hypocrite You fucking hippy You are a hypocrite You fucking hippy Published by Wipe Out Music Publishing
4.
I had a ghetto blaster It lived in the kitchen on top of the fridge And though it wasn't very good it was good enough for me Well one week it breathed its last So i took a chance and took it down To take a glance at the back And when I did that what do you think i could see? I saw red and white sockets on the back to plug a hi-fi in. Now what on earth's the point of that? I loved my ghetto blaster but i knew it was crap It was never gonna form the basis of a modern hi-fi system It's like a band that uses strings For no other reason than Oasis did Like a pretty bitty baby with a big man's drink Like a lad who washes lorries in a kitchen sink Like red and white sockets on the back to plug a hi-fi in Red and white, red and white, red and white sockets Red and white, red and white, red and white sockets Red and white sockets, red and white sockets Red and white sockets, red and white sockets Red and white sockets on the back to plug a hi-fi in Well i failed to see the metaphor A tape deck with pretensions was all that i saw And it wasn't until later that the truth bore down on me Because i went to take a litte bath And as i lay back in the bath i felt discomfort on my back And when i looked into the mirror what do you think i could see? I saw red white sockets on my back to plug a hi-fi in Red and white sockets stuck to the back of me Saying red and white, red and white, red and white sockets Red and white, red and white, red and white sockets Red and white sockets, red and white sockets Red and white sockets, red and white sockets Red and white sockets on the back to plug a hi-fi in Published by Wipe Out Music Publishing
5.
I took the keys out of my jeans and put them in my shoe I lay back on my sleeping bag and swiftly thought of you And as I lay in my bed A plane flew overhead Taking you away A sunny day at Glastonbury as we sat on the grass Passing round a readymade and starting to laugh Then you turned up late I thought you were GRATE And you didn't mind me I said "I'll see you later when the next band has been on" You said "Yeah, i'll meet you there, and please don't be too long" But I got waylaid By the time I got backstage You had been and gone I got my friends to look for you, we covered the whole site We searched until the time had past for you to catch your flight You had to fly away To the USA I wish you could have stayed I took the keys out of my jeans and put them in my shoe I lay back in my sleeping bag and swiftly thought of you And as I lay in my bed A plane flew overhead Taking you away Published by Wipe Out Music Publishing
6.
He needed reasons to keep living She needed someone she could love He needed something to believe in She lived on the floor above He listened to the Sunday Service Pumping down through the plasterboard She came to know his taste in music And recognised the way he snored All of a sudden nothing happened Out of the blue they didn't meet He never came to borrow coffee She never dropped her shopping round his feet Theirs could have been the perfect love song What a shame they never met He got run over by a milk float She went to live in Somerset Published by Wipe Out Music Publishing
7.
There's someone we think that you should meet She'll be right up your street She's desperate just like you We'll see what we can do She hasn't really got a life But she's an old friend of the wife We thought you'd approve We'll see what we can do Two odd buttons in a kitchen drawer Two sore losers in a no-score draw Two old batteries that have no use Me and you We'll see what we can do Me and you We'll see what we can do We are the anti-socials We are the non-league hopefuls We are when we are me and you We'll see what we can do Published by Wipe Out Music Publishing
8.
No-one seems to need her anymore Left behind at closing time when the landlord locks the door You used to see her every day, but now you never call No-one seems to need her anymore No-one seems to want her anymore Discarded like a gift-shop bracelet at midnight on the shore Like a single shoe on a garden wall or the shirt you never wore No-one seems to need her anymore And you might say she's being foolish I don't know But you should see her point of view And you should treat her better You may be gone but you're not forgotten You don't have to say you love her But you ought to ring your mother Cos she doesn't think you need her anymore Now that you know how to clean your own bedroom floor You can see where she gets her ideas from, you should put her straight She doesn't think you love her anymore Ring your mother She doesn't think you love her anymore Published by Wipe Out Music Publishing
9.
Mr Right 01:41
She looks upon you as a brother You are the person she can trust You'd like to think she'll be your lover You look on her with unbridled lust Every time she loses a boyfriend You hope her eyes will alight on you But every time she loses a boyfriend Some other bugger jumps the queue What can you do to make her listen When every time she turns away It never seems to be the right conditions For you to say what you mean to say She always said that all that she wanted Was Mr Right to always care Maybe one day she will realise Her Mr Right was always there. Published by Wipe Out Music Publishing
10.
Friday 13 01:45
Well if I remember rightly I was born on a Friday Thirteen's my lucky number It's lucky I remember And if my house was by the rail track Maybe you would come back I'd be down there with the trains Impressing the policeman with my brains And you'll find me with Elvis in the Heartbreak Hotel It's a phase I am going through Hell A titanic at the bottom of the ocean I'm so afraid I'm only going through the motions Well if i could spell your name right Maybe you'd give me the green light But as it is i don't know where i stand I never take off without a safe place to land And you'll find me with Elvis in the Heartbreak Hotel It's a phase I am going through Hell A titanic at the bottom of the ocean I'm so afraid I'm only going through the motions Find me with Elvis in the Heartbreak Hotel I'm going through hell
11.
I met an old friend in Paris She laughed to see the change in me Through years of beards and waistcoats, lennon specs and pubs I changed my attitude and the way i looked, but She knew me then, when we were at school She knew me before i was cool We talked of festivals and bands Record contracts, reefers and a conference in France But all she saw was a boy sat reading quietly on his own Humming the tuneful ZX Spectrum loading tone, because She knew me then, when we were at school She knew me before i was cool But does it matter anyway? What matters is the man i am today Not the boy that i was then I may not be a superstar I don't even know how to drive a car But at least i have got friends So i will put away the past Because i can look back now and laugh And though nostalgia trips with old friends are allowed The best times of your life are the times you're living now, and though I knew her then, when we were at school I know her now, and that is cool Published by Wipe Out Music Publishing
12.
The Wide Game was a game that we used to play in scouts We'd go to the park after dark and, basically, run about There was a local competition that took place every year We needed a team that could win, or at least come somewhere near So the football heroes, and the popular kids - the boys who got the girls Carried the hopes of all the troop, but there were two teams because There was a bed-wetter, a backwards kid, a big fat lad and me In the Peterborough All-Saints Wide Game Team (group b) Skip took us all to one side and said "Scouts do your best Team A, i want you to go for the cup, Team B try and not get in a mess" The macho lads were confident, set off with fire and noise Got into fights all that night and failed to score a point But while we might have disappointed Lord Baden-Powell We did surprisingly well For a bed-wetter, a backwards kid, a big fat lad and me We were the Peterborough All-Saints Wide Game Team (group b) And when we got back To the safety of the pack They were surprised to see we had Secreted in our bag A trophy engraved with "In Second Place" And then the following list of names There was a bed-wetter, a backwards kid, a big fat lad and me It said "The Peterborough All-Saints Wide Game Team (group b)" And if you're thinking this must be some kind of metaphor For a way of life, well you might be right, and i'll tell you something more Since that day, i've realised you can be a star No matter what your lot in life, even if you are A bed-wetter, a backwards kid, or a big fat lad like me You can join the Peterborough All-Saints Wide Game Team (group b) Come join the Peterborough All-Saints Wide Game Team (group b) Published by Wipe Out Music Publishing
13.
I went into the future To see what i'd become When the women that i fall for Are all some young woman's mum I'm a cuddly fun-packed uncle To my brother's little kids Dancing at their wedding To late eighties hits And I'm up and i'm dancing when "The Queen Is Dead" comes on At a Family Wedding in 2021. I went up to the bar And I bought myself a beer He thanked me, then he asked me "What in God's name are you doing here? Go back to where you came from Change the way things are Make yourself amenable Before things get this far" Then he's off, and he's dancing when they play "She Bangs the Drums" At a Family Wedding in 2021 Is this my doom? Is this my hell? Never knowing who or what to tell? Never saying what i think? Will this torment never end Always being someone's sad and lonely single friend Being taken out on Sunday afternoons for a drink? And I'm off and i'm dancing when they play "This Charming Man" At a Family Wedding in 2021 And i'm back and i'm dancing to "Rave On" Until a Family Wedding in 2021. Published by Wipe Out Music Publishing
14.
When i called around this morning you weren't home When i telephoned this evening some man picked up the phone We pledged our love as sun set on the old Vic Berry's bridge But it turns out you're a lying two-faced double crossing bitch 'Cos there's another man's laundry on your line Boxers in your basket, and none of them are mine Your freezer's full of meat, which is something you don't eat There's another man's laundry hanging on your line Well I saw his car parked in your parking space And I looked up at the window and saw your pretty face Through tears i realised that our love had been ignored As you ironed out his Levi's on that cheating ironing board 'Cos there's another man's laundry on your line Boxers in your basket, and none of them are mine Your freezer's full of meat, which is something you don't eat There's another man's laundry hanging on your line Go and fetch the sheriff, i won't put up a fight Because i did an evil thing when i saw you there last night I crept into your backyard, saw my rival sipping wine So i strangled him right there and then with that good old washing line 'Cos There's another man's laundry on your line Boxers in your basket, and none of them are mine Your freezer's full of meat, which is something you don't eat There's another man's laundry hanging on your line Well, tonight you'll hear the jangling of my spurs As i am dangling from that gibbet yonder on the square of fifth and nine And my ghost, so they say, will appear there every day Yes i'll be there, like that laundry hanging on your line 'Cos there's another man's laundry on your line Boxers in your basket, and none of them are mine Your freezer's full of meat, which is something you don't eat There's another man's laundry hanging from your line Published by Wipe Out Music Publishing
15.
Time has not withered your charms You're still a fucking cow I used to think you were beautiful I know better than that now To think I cried for you To think I'd lie down with you And give you everything I had to give But you could not find room in your heart for someone else The only thing that you loved was yourself You treated me like shit You only ever rang to dictate your shopping lists And you were vile to my friends and family I told them you would change Made excuses for you again and again But the more I said it The harder it was to believe Because you could not find room in your heart for someone else The only thing that you loved was yourself The only time you said "I love you" was when I said that I would leave And when I came back we both returned to blaming everything on me It's a miracle that I escaped your threats and self-pity But you wouldn't wait to turn love to hate Because you could not find room in your heart for someone else The only thing that you loved was yourself You made me feel less of a man You tried to wipe out everything that I am And it took me a year to get back to who I was But when I saw you again I held out an olive branch You said "Piss off", and I thought "Thanks That's the kindest thing that you have ever done" Because you could not find room in your heart for someone else The only thing we both you loved was yourself Published by Wipe Out Music Publishing
16.
I'm standing on the corner getting beaten up By the kids from the year above Finding out that smart remarks Don't help to mop up blood And when they've finally tired of this And they've all gone away Someone comes and helps me up And quietly says Leave my brother alone Leave my brother alone" He says "Mark, if I was older And if I had my bike I would cycle after them And challenge them to a fight" I said "James, don't you worry yourself It's really quite all right Sometimes it's enough to know There's someone on your side who'll say Leave my brother alone Leave my brother alone" Fast-forward fifteen years And we're talking on the phone About his stupid bint ex-girlfriend Who has left him on his own In the house they bought together While she's out seeing other men She's got the nerve to wonder why They can't still be friends, and I thought Leave my brother alone Leave my brother alone I said "James, if I had a car And if I could even drive I'd dash straight up the M69 And give her a piece of my mind" He said "Mark, don't you worry yourself It's really quite all right Sometimes it's enough to know There's someone on your side who'll say Leave my brother alone Leave my brother alone Published by Wipe Out Music Publishing
17.
There was a time when even I Could walk into a pub And cast my eyes over ales of many kinds And not know which ones were any good I had narry a clue about the nature of my booze I couldn't sort a porter from a stout I'd pay two quid for undrinkable shit Until one day I worked the whole thing out I saw them true I saw them clear I saw Hibbett's Golden Rules Of Beer I was no fool, no, I was a seer So I give you Hibbett's Golden Rules Of Beer It's not to do with gravity And it's not to do with the grain You haven't got to smell the hops You simply need know what's the name Look for words like honey, wheat or dew Avoid the beers call Old Drink the words like autumn, summer, sun Shine, harvest, or Gold Out of the dark your path is clear If you follow Hibbett's Golden Rules Of Beer You'll be well served if you are steered By Hibbett's Golden Rules Of Beer If the name sounds like it was thought of by three fat smelly old blokes in a brewery Only drink it if that's who you are, but if you're asking me... I want to wake next day and shout "HOORAY! I am reborn with the bowels of a king My mind's refreshed, I've not fallen over yet, And I feel the overwhelming urge to sing" Let's give a slightly hungover cheer For Hibbett's Golden Rules Of Beer The world is fab groovy and gear When you've got Hibbett's Golden Rules Of Beer Published by Wipe Out Music Publishing
18.
Look up my name, you'll get my number If you want some help around the house I can come around and take your paper down And if you like I'll sort your grouting out I have got my toolbox ready For any jobs that you want me to do If your shelf has fallen then give me a call and I'll come round and get it up for you I've got what you need I've got what you need Oh yeah, I've got what you need Well you say your boyfriend gives good love But can he tell you where the stop cock is? If your fuses blew would he be good for you Could his plunger get your u-bend fixed? So when I mend your microwave then maybe You and me can have a little drink I'll do your pots and pans, I'll be your handyman I've got it all except the kitchen sink I've got what you need I've got what you need Oh yeah, I've got what you need So I came and cleared your drains for you I gave your guttering a damn good clean But when I came inside the only thing that I could find Was five quid and a cup of tea That's not what I mean It's not what need Oh no, it's not what I mean I've got what you need Oh yeah, I've got what you need Published by Wipe Out Music Publishing
19.
I haven't had a walkman For many many years I found the foam in headphones Would play havoc with my ears I needed entertainment That was non-aurally led And by happy chance i happened on The walkman in my head Walkman in my head Walkman in my head In-house, in-car, in bed Press play It has no need of batteries It cannot chew your tapes It can't be dropped upon the ground And thus it never breaks It'll play you ageing vinyl 8-track, DAT, or DVD It's compatible adaptable Robust technology Walkman in my head Walkman in my head Aloft or on sea-bed Press play Walkman in my head Walkman in my head On Planets Blue or Red Press play Every song you've ever heard of Every tune you've ever hummed It can play them all, but do be warned, Some words may come out Rum It puts profanities in Carols Which is quite Morally Wrong But on the plus-side sometimes it writes New songs like this one. Walkman in my head Walkman in my head OBEY ME, it said Press play OBEY ME, it said Press play Published by Wipe Out Music Publishing
20.
Now, I'm really not complaining I'm in love, and that's amazing Bloody brilliant, in fact, but still I wish That we were in the same postcode 'Cos girl you know if that were so I would feel rich beyond the dreams of avarice So when I'm sitting on that train Going home a-bloody-gain I'll try to think of simple ways to make things right For instance, last week, passing Luton I found a way to make Cold Fusion Power Pedallos that flew faster than light And, though I'm grateful and i am glad That we have found each other at last Let's ask the Lord, if Buddha's right On the next turn round of life Can we please be on the same page of the map? Oh, if that Midland Mainline Engine Crossed not Northants but Dimensions I'd buy a Weekend Rover for worlds where we are Within easy walking distance Of each other, even if the Planet's run by giant jellyfish from Mars And I'd be grateful, gruesome, but glad That we had found each other at last And be they biped, bird or beetle I'd tell whatever passed for people That we're living on the same page of the map The same page of the map Published by Wipe Out Music Publishing
21.
In Birmingham I met an author He writes books, that's what authors do I said "I love your work" He said "Who are you?" 'Cos I'm on tour Rock and Roll Mayhem In Glasgow I woke up at 3am And made for the toilet door I found myself stark bollock naked Locked out in the hotel corridor 'Cos I'm on tour Rock and Roll Mayhem In Hull I refuted media allegations That The Validators had split up Met the New York Anti-Folk Poet Jeffrey Lewis And shared a manly hug 'Cos I'm on tour Rock and Roll Mayhem In Sheffield we played an illegal warehouse rave It was like Andy Warhol at The Factory I did two encores And then we went clubbing in the week 'Cos I'm on tour Rock and Roll Mayhem In London we enjoyed a Rock Cliche When I stopped and the audience sang "Payday" Oh baby, there was a lot of love there at the end When me and Adam and Team Frankie said "Let's do it again" 'Cos we're on tour Rock and Roll Mayhem Yeah, we're on tour Rock and Roll Mayhem Oh we're on tour Rock and Roll Mayhem Let's go on tour Rock and Roll Mayhem Published by Wipe Out Music Publishing
22.
Dinky Doo 03:19
I wanted to sing you a little song To tell you how much I love you To share with you and the whole wide world Why I gave up Michael Stipe for you You're one of the most important punks in the country Yet you listen to Radio 2 Your favourite film is The Sound Of Music And you love the bloke who says "Dinky Doo" Dinky doo doo Dinky doo doo Dinky doo doo Dinky doo doo So now Mr Tim we are wed We can parentally legally share a bed But it doesn't mean I suddenly won't mind you picking your feet I'll never ever ever ever find that endearing or sweet Dinky doo doo Dinky doo doo Dinky doo doo Dinky doo doo All your memories of things in detail Your maps and books of the road Billy Bryson and motorways, power stations Football and your fear of frogs and toads Dinky doo doo Dinky doo doo Dinky doo doo Dinky doo doo You like to go up mountains, I prefer to look at them But we both love to cook I've got an unbaked carrot cake And you've got your unstarted book Dinky doo doo Dinky doo doo Dinky doo doo Dinky doo doo But remember the truth is I love you And today we both showed the world So goodbye Michael Stipe I don't need you I've got my Tim to have and to hold Bye bye Michael Stipe Bye bye Michael Stipe Bye bye Michael Stipe I've got my Tim to have and to hold Published by Wipe Out Music Publishing

about

You like the quirky fall-guy humour of Art Brut? You dig the laconic Northern humour of The Wedding Present, the laidback political chutzpah of Half Man Half Biscuit, the idea that "independent" music means a band that is actually INDEPENDENT, not just another bad Keane rip-off? You like tunes with intelligence, acoustic roustabouts, smiles, laughter, a beer down the pub at half time? Then check out this "Rest Of" (1997-2004) of the redoubtable MJ Hibbett - worth the price of admittance alone for the genius anti-apathy anthem "Work's All Right (If It's A Proper Job)".
Everett True, Plan B

The band who should be placed in the Indie hall of fame (if such a thing existed!) for writing a song praising Leicester traffic wardens, release an odds n sods compilation. Tying up all the loose ends in their career so far this collection of rarities, unreleased b-sides and unavailable singles has much to recommend it. Whilst the quality of some of these recordings leaves a lot to be desired, the quality of the songs and trademark humorous lyrics are second to none. Whilst it could be argued that the band’s sound belongs in a different age, musical snobs are missing out. This is good old fashioned lo-fi indie as it should sound and ties things up nicely before their forthcoming third album which is scheduled for release later this year.
Del Franklin

(MJ Hibbett & The Validators - Warriors Of Nanpantan)
Is ACE.

I am tempted to stop there but feel some of you may need more persuasion.

This collection of recordings covering the period from 1997 to 2004 and contains early works, b-sides as well as previously internet only and recently deleted singles. This is billed to those who own the entire back catalogue as 'The Rest Of MJ Hibbett & The Validators'. The earlier recording are of a slightly lesser quality but this does little to diminish the enjoyment to be gained by listening to them.

Each of these songs has the characteristic wit and aplomb that fans of Mr Hibbett will know from old. The subject matter ranges from the classics of love and jealousy ('The Perfect Love Story', 'Another Mans Laundry') through the absurdities, large and small, of life in general ('Red And White Sockets') to stories that easily echo the lives of listeners ('Clubbing In The Week', 'The Same Page Of The Map'). The humour and resonance of many of the songs allows an instant recognition and empathy. 'Warriors of Nanpantan' is a fine collection of great songs.

Or as I said earlier; it is ACE.
Bob Gray, Between Planets

Sparked by MJ Hibbett & The Validators’ amazing success in 2004, which began with an online video for Hey Hey 16k (which was made by b3ta.com’s Rob Manuel and became the most popular download on the internet in its first week of release), this collection of b-sides, compilation tracks, online releases and unreleased songs is sure to have fans in a frenzy.

The sound quality of some of the earlier tracks leaves a little to be desired but Mark’s sharp witted lyrics prevail throughout. Highlights include Clubbing In The Week, Fucking Hippy, the tragic Perfect Lovesong, the Frankie Machine-penned Friday 13, Another Man’s Laundry, Walkman In My Head and the anthemic Peterborough All Saints Wide Game Team (Group B). It all draws to a close with Dinky Doo, a song written by Validators vocalist Emma Pattison for her drummer husband Tim.

As is now the staple of Hibbett releases, this CD is not content with just holding 22 tracks (23 actually), oh no, pop it into your computer and you’ll find lyrics, extensive sleeve notes, video clips and MP3’s, including the Fair Play Sessions from the Steve Lamaq show in July 2004.

Get in quick Hibbett fans, this is a limited edition release, only available from www.mjhibbett.com and gigs.
Andy Malt, Indigo Flow

I was feeling a bit dopey when I opened up my emails.

"Dear Rachel

Did you receive the Warriors of Nanpantan CD…"

I scratched my head (cartoon gestures please me) and thought hard. That sounded a bit black metal and I couldn't remember anything of that nature dropping through my door recently. Then I read on and saw the words "M J Hibbett & Validators" and the penny dropped.

The Warriors of Nanpantan, is far probably as far removed from black metal as is possible. It is in fact it is full to bursting point of songs sang in a typical "M J Hibbett and the Validators" whole hearted manner. Recorded between 1997 and 2004 and taken from b-sides, compilation CDs as well as other previously unreleased material the CD is an instantly likeable collection of quirky stories sung with enthusiasm and spirit.

With a total of 23 songs as well as a video clips and extra sound files there are far too many highlights to mention. From the is a tale of the perfect love song that never was ("All of a sudden…nothing happened, out of the blue they didn't meet" ) to Hibbet's Golden Rules of Beer ("If the name sounds like it was thought of three fat smelly old blokes in the brewery then only drink it if that is who you are") the CD had me smiling.

There is a modern country ballad in the guise of "Ring your mother", a reminder not to take the women who fed and clothed you in the formative years of your life for granted. And then there was the heart warming clip clopity "leave my brother alone" which had me feeling quite choked up and phoning my sister within minutes. Not to mention "Another true story" a gentle wistful melody of Glastonbury, longing and missed oppotunity.

I could go on (and on and on) and quote a million more lyrics, but I think I shall stop here and sum up by saying that this CD was GRATE.
Rachel Queen, Friends Of The Heroes

Singer-songwriters are ten a penny, it is true, and many of their number attempt a humorous take on the quirky nature of life in general and in particular to them. Few, though, pitch it as well as MJ Hibbett Esq., lyrical dexterity a speciality. It is proletarian pop merging the worlds of Half Man Half Biscuit and William Bragg. The social politics of the latter, and the lovestruck-boy emotional appraisals, are something MJH shares, and even parodically nicks the melody of ‘Between The Wars’ to open ‘Work’s All Right (If It’s A Proper Job)’ which itself begins this handsome collections of bits and pieces. MJH doesn’t really do b-sides though so don’t expect any dip in quality. Classics such as the lo-fi scuzz of ‘Fucking Hippy’ (from 1998) and last year’s ‘Walkman In My Head’ highlight a maturation in the Validators recorded sound, although the cheeky humour remains the same (and ‘Same Page Of The Map’ brings the lo-fi right back). Also it has ‘The Peterborough All-Saints Wide Game Team (Group B)’, possibly the finest update of the tortoise and hare tale ever committed to vinyl, and now to CD. This you really must get and it’s a limited edition from www.artistsagainstsuccess.com only. Be quick.
Skif, Vanity Project

Bunch of musically flexible and competent guys led by a guy whose principle concerns seem to be beer, hippy-baiting, falling in and out of love, money and the lack of it and beer. So, it’s pretty much a gentler and less political ramble through the backstreets more usually stalked by Mitch Benn, or a sneakier and slightly less sardonic splash through the puddles where Neil Innes lurks, but still, the greatest moment is for me the Jilted John ranterooni of “Fucking Hippy”, I mean, “if you’re telepathic, why don’t you leave?” beats Leonard Cohen into any lyrical hat you care to cock. There a grand, and I mean grand, total of twenty two smashing tunes here and while humour, wry, twisted and gut abounds, there’s also darker and weighter stuff aired, check “The Perfect Love Song” or “Another Man’s Laundry” for the darker side.
Unpeeled

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released March 2, 2005

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MJ Hibbett & The Validators London, UK

MJ Hibbett & The Validators have performed live on Radio One, had a Record Of The Year in Rolling Stone, an Album Of The Day on 6Music, released one of the first ever viral videos, toured the UK and Europe, featured in an Edinburgh Fringe Festival show, and recorded a science fiction rock opera, all while maintaining their complete independence from outside record labels. ... more

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