Item 9 & the Mad Hatters- Old Style

by Reggie Edwards Item 9 and the Mad Hatters’ debut album, Old Style, is definitely a fun one listen to. I’ll be honest, I wasn’t sure what to expect from a band with such an outlandish name like Item 9 and the Mad Hatters, but this is probably one of the more entertaining debuts I’ve heard this year. The album starts out with “O Henri,” an upbeat song that makes you want to see the band live right then-and-there. This is the feel of virtually the entire album, as it makes you want to head out to the show and experience this up-close-and-personal. For a band that’s relatively new and just put out their first record, and unsigned mind you, they have definitely exceeded any expectations that could lie before them. Mixing a cohesive sound of blues, rock, classic rock, and funk, Old Style is well-produced, with clean vocals, great instrumental work and leaves you wanting to hear more from this band. Rating: 8/10