Album Reviews

Band: MJ HIbbett & The Validators Album: We Validate! Label: Artists Against Success Release Date: Out Now Format: CD

MJ Hibbet & The Validators - We Validate is an album of simple songs, backed with guitars, bass, violins and drums. As a package the CD is jam packed to tell the truth - full of demo mp3's, alternative versions of songs, lyrics, a 'making of', photos, and possibly more - I may have missed some out. They've done a kind of DVD special features featurette on a CD. And that as an idea I'd say resembles their attention to detail.

We Validate contains songs of arguements around pub conversations, technology innovations, the general 'need' to only speak negatively in some people, and lazy song-writing - possibly a go at more recent acts who've become famous even though they don't deserve it. Maybe this is their 'Artists Against Success' ethos... There's also elements of humour in the lyrics - "La la la la la! I couldn't be arsed to put any words to this part! La la la la la!"

In places I feel like I'm listening to an alternate version of Billy Bragg, although Mark Hibbett says he thinks Jimmy Nail is a more accurate person. Still I find parts of the album very enjoyable, and this was after a few listens so yes it's a grower.

MJ Hibbett and his Validators have been praised by Rolling Stone, and are soon in session with Steven Lamacq, so I think it looks like we're onto another 'ones to watch'...