Item 9 & The Mad Hatters - NEW ALBUM!
You may recall that we featured Item 9 & the Mad Hatters a while back, so when Reggie dropped us a line about their spanking new album, The Chronic Illness Freshly Baked, due out on the 14th of December 2012. These guys describe themselves as bringing dirty rock n roll back to the people, and we loved what we heard before – so what of the new offering?
Opening with The Queens, the album gets off to a sludgy yet intricate start, kicking in with a pounding bass line and real sense of movement. The feel of this track is upbeat, moving, and the sort of thing which you know is going to get people moving along with the band. Once again there’s that edge which allows Item 9 & The Mad Hatters to work their way into your head, offering up the sort of sound which is impossible to resist, and the sort of music which is laid back yet upbeat all at the same time – it’s a signature sound which is going to serve these guys well moving forwards. Phunk 4_20 continues this idea, this time ushering in that sense of funk which really hammers home the message of the band, offering up a sound based around classic rock but with their own take thrown in for good measure. Fast paced vocals work around the roving bass line, forging a sound which is solid funk, yet has that rocky edge which is going to satisfy that craving deep inside, matching the funky guitar line with syncopated drums and an overwhelming sense of out there goodness – definitely a high point to make sure you check out.
Bro Massacre returns us to the more sludgy approach of the opening track, yet once again manages to add in the bands own take on things to make sure you know who you’re listening to. This track is another one which is sure to get you singing along, joining in and wanting more, the sort of track which goes down a storm on the live scene and hooks everyone in. It’s All Good on the other hand moves away from the upbeat approach and leads us to a more chilled out, groove orientated place where you can just sit back and let the music wash over you. Opening with the sound effects of a bong this is one which is laid back, chilled, and calming from start to finish. To me there’s elements of Sublime going on here, elements of stoner rock and elements of reggae – a melee of sounds which all work together to result in a sound that is going to wash over you and remind you of just what chilled out music sounds like.
Downtrodden, Out Of Our Heads and Typical all continue the chilled out sound, each track presenting a slightly different take on the bands style whilst still managing to keep things firmly rooted in their signature sound, but it’s when Love Supreme comes about that another high point is reached. Ushering in another chilled out melee of funky bass rhythms, soft drumming and laid back guitar licks, this track flows out of the speakers and once again sits you down to take it all in. Laid back yet still managing to pack a bluesy, rocky punch, this track stands out as single fodder, the sort of thing which will hook people on to the band and generate some real interest in what they’ve got going on – another one to make sure you check out.
It’s only left then for Mike E Dangerously to close things, finishing with a live effect to get things started, the track building out of these opening moments and finishing the album off in style. The closing moments are, as you might expect, loaded with funky rhythms and laid back melodies, but once again the band manage to take them and make them their own. The final track here is almost like a class on what to expect from these guys, a showcase if you will of the different styles that are on offer and a solid reason why you should be checking them out – closing a quality album with a quality track!
I liked Item 9 & The Mad Hatters when we first checked them out, and when I heard that they’d been recording new stuff I was a little concerned that they might have changed their style and evolved – but I needn’t have worried. On show throughout this album is the bands signature sound, their ability to craft tracks which hook you in, and songs which are going to get in your head and stay there for a long while to come. If you’re looking for a new band to kick start 2013, you won’t go far wrong here!
To find out more about Item 9 & The Mad Hatters, check out their Facebook page HERE.
Words: Dave Nicholls
Opening with The Queens, the album gets off to a sludgy yet intricate start, kicking in with a pounding bass line and real sense of movement. The feel of this track is upbeat, moving, and the sort of thing which you know is going to get people moving along with the band. Once again there’s that edge which allows Item 9 & The Mad Hatters to work their way into your head, offering up the sort of sound which is impossible to resist, and the sort of music which is laid back yet upbeat all at the same time – it’s a signature sound which is going to serve these guys well moving forwards. Phunk 4_20 continues this idea, this time ushering in that sense of funk which really hammers home the message of the band, offering up a sound based around classic rock but with their own take thrown in for good measure. Fast paced vocals work around the roving bass line, forging a sound which is solid funk, yet has that rocky edge which is going to satisfy that craving deep inside, matching the funky guitar line with syncopated drums and an overwhelming sense of out there goodness – definitely a high point to make sure you check out.
Bro Massacre returns us to the more sludgy approach of the opening track, yet once again manages to add in the bands own take on things to make sure you know who you’re listening to. This track is another one which is sure to get you singing along, joining in and wanting more, the sort of track which goes down a storm on the live scene and hooks everyone in. It’s All Good on the other hand moves away from the upbeat approach and leads us to a more chilled out, groove orientated place where you can just sit back and let the music wash over you. Opening with the sound effects of a bong this is one which is laid back, chilled, and calming from start to finish. To me there’s elements of Sublime going on here, elements of stoner rock and elements of reggae – a melee of sounds which all work together to result in a sound that is going to wash over you and remind you of just what chilled out music sounds like.
Downtrodden, Out Of Our Heads and Typical all continue the chilled out sound, each track presenting a slightly different take on the bands style whilst still managing to keep things firmly rooted in their signature sound, but it’s when Love Supreme comes about that another high point is reached. Ushering in another chilled out melee of funky bass rhythms, soft drumming and laid back guitar licks, this track flows out of the speakers and once again sits you down to take it all in. Laid back yet still managing to pack a bluesy, rocky punch, this track stands out as single fodder, the sort of thing which will hook people on to the band and generate some real interest in what they’ve got going on – another one to make sure you check out.
It’s only left then for Mike E Dangerously to close things, finishing with a live effect to get things started, the track building out of these opening moments and finishing the album off in style. The closing moments are, as you might expect, loaded with funky rhythms and laid back melodies, but once again the band manage to take them and make them their own. The final track here is almost like a class on what to expect from these guys, a showcase if you will of the different styles that are on offer and a solid reason why you should be checking them out – closing a quality album with a quality track!
I liked Item 9 & The Mad Hatters when we first checked them out, and when I heard that they’d been recording new stuff I was a little concerned that they might have changed their style and evolved – but I needn’t have worried. On show throughout this album is the bands signature sound, their ability to craft tracks which hook you in, and songs which are going to get in your head and stay there for a long while to come. If you’re looking for a new band to kick start 2013, you won’t go far wrong here!
To find out more about Item 9 & The Mad Hatters, check out their Facebook page HERE.
Words: Dave Nicholls
Item 9 & The Mad Hatters
We were recently put on to Item 9 & The Mad Hatters, an Iowa based band describing their style as Modern Vintage Rock. Going on to say that they’re armed with an arsenal of original songs, melodic guitar licks and dynamic solos, these guys sound like a band to check out – so I hit play on their album Old Style to see what was going on.
Opening with O Henri the bands style is immediately put on show, opening with an upbeat drum and guitar combo which gets you moving from the off. Hard hitting guitar lines combine with a funky bass rhythm, bringing the vocals in and forming into a sound which is upbeat, classic sounding, and full of moments which get you singing along, starting the album as they mean to go on and immediately letting us know what we’re in for. The White Light continues this approach, throwing us into a more ‘out there’ sound but still keeping us safe in the knowledge that we’re being led through the mix by the guys in the band. Groove orientated once again, this is another track which is sure to get people moving and wanting to see the band live, the sort of track which confirms them as a band we need to be keeping an eye out for, and one we could do with getting over to these shores sometime soon.
She Moves Like Rain once again presents us with a slightly different outlook on the band’s music, this time opening with a bluesy style riff and leading us gently into the track beginning properly. Shifting from the blues approach onto a funk orientated riff, moving onwards with another track designed to get you moving, and the sort of thing which is going to work exceptionally well on the live scene. Funky, dirty and all the time firmly rooted in the bands unique style, this track is one of my personal favourites from the album, the sort of track which I know I’ll come back to time and time again! My Repine once again shifts the style of the band slightly, moving into a slower and more emotionally charged style as it gets going, still relying on the guitar work to lead the way but this time fading back and letting the music as a whole do the talking. Still managing to throw in a sense of funk to the mix, it seems that even the slower and quieter tracks on this album are designed to show off the bands rock n roll roots, the sort of style which is going to get people moving, shaking, and loving every moment of it.
Sunshine, Running and Trance all continue the progression naturally, but it’s when Amerijuanica comes about that another serious high point is achieved on this album, Launching us into a riff which will leave the guitarists out there drooling, once again we’re thrown into a funky mix which showcases the style of the band with aplomb. Rock orientated and dirty from start to finish, this track stands out as the sort of track which has the potential to become a live anthem, the sort of track which fans will beg for, and the sort of track which will propel these guys to the next level. She Needs It comes as a bit of a shock after the funky riffs of the previous track, this time chilling out and moving into more relaxed style, building the track gradually around you before launching into the more upbeat tones once again. Soon resuming the normal sense of power, melody becomes the key in this track and takes it to a new level, presenting us with the sort of thing which will get you singing along, joining in and wanting more.
Unfortunately we’re only left with one more track in the form of Jetplane to close things, finishing on a high but reaching the end of the album far too soon for my liking. Funky and great fun from start to finish, the final moments of this album leave the listener wanting more, finishing on a funky and groove orientated note designed for dancing and drinking, and leaving no doubt that this has been an album packed with a hell of a lot of fun!
I really didn’t know what to expect from a band called Item 9 & The Mad Hatters but the album on offer here is something pretty cool. Chilled out, funky and unique throughout, this is an album I know I’ll be coming back to time and time again, the sort of record which is going to be played at a party, and the sort of track you know everyone’s going to enjoy.
To find out more about Item 9 & the Mad Hatters, check out their Facebook page HERE.
Words: Dave Nicholls
Opening with O Henri the bands style is immediately put on show, opening with an upbeat drum and guitar combo which gets you moving from the off. Hard hitting guitar lines combine with a funky bass rhythm, bringing the vocals in and forming into a sound which is upbeat, classic sounding, and full of moments which get you singing along, starting the album as they mean to go on and immediately letting us know what we’re in for. The White Light continues this approach, throwing us into a more ‘out there’ sound but still keeping us safe in the knowledge that we’re being led through the mix by the guys in the band. Groove orientated once again, this is another track which is sure to get people moving and wanting to see the band live, the sort of track which confirms them as a band we need to be keeping an eye out for, and one we could do with getting over to these shores sometime soon.
She Moves Like Rain once again presents us with a slightly different outlook on the band’s music, this time opening with a bluesy style riff and leading us gently into the track beginning properly. Shifting from the blues approach onto a funk orientated riff, moving onwards with another track designed to get you moving, and the sort of thing which is going to work exceptionally well on the live scene. Funky, dirty and all the time firmly rooted in the bands unique style, this track is one of my personal favourites from the album, the sort of track which I know I’ll come back to time and time again! My Repine once again shifts the style of the band slightly, moving into a slower and more emotionally charged style as it gets going, still relying on the guitar work to lead the way but this time fading back and letting the music as a whole do the talking. Still managing to throw in a sense of funk to the mix, it seems that even the slower and quieter tracks on this album are designed to show off the bands rock n roll roots, the sort of style which is going to get people moving, shaking, and loving every moment of it.
Sunshine, Running and Trance all continue the progression naturally, but it’s when Amerijuanica comes about that another serious high point is achieved on this album, Launching us into a riff which will leave the guitarists out there drooling, once again we’re thrown into a funky mix which showcases the style of the band with aplomb. Rock orientated and dirty from start to finish, this track stands out as the sort of track which has the potential to become a live anthem, the sort of track which fans will beg for, and the sort of track which will propel these guys to the next level. She Needs It comes as a bit of a shock after the funky riffs of the previous track, this time chilling out and moving into more relaxed style, building the track gradually around you before launching into the more upbeat tones once again. Soon resuming the normal sense of power, melody becomes the key in this track and takes it to a new level, presenting us with the sort of thing which will get you singing along, joining in and wanting more.
Unfortunately we’re only left with one more track in the form of Jetplane to close things, finishing on a high but reaching the end of the album far too soon for my liking. Funky and great fun from start to finish, the final moments of this album leave the listener wanting more, finishing on a funky and groove orientated note designed for dancing and drinking, and leaving no doubt that this has been an album packed with a hell of a lot of fun!
I really didn’t know what to expect from a band called Item 9 & The Mad Hatters but the album on offer here is something pretty cool. Chilled out, funky and unique throughout, this is an album I know I’ll be coming back to time and time again, the sort of record which is going to be played at a party, and the sort of track you know everyone’s going to enjoy.
To find out more about Item 9 & the Mad Hatters, check out their Facebook page HERE.
Words: Dave Nicholls