Sophomore full length from LA rocker Hanni El Khatib on Innovative Leisure. This time around, Hanni teams up with Grammy winning producer and Black Keys guitarist/vocalist Dan Auerbach for a straight shot of dirty, rockin' blues. This thing is rockin' from the get-go as the title track ("Head In The Dirt") sets the pace with stomping rhythms and big chords (also see "Save Me" and "Low"), while "Family," "Sinking In The Sand" and "Pay No Mind" ramp up the energy to punk speed for maximal rockage. Also check the skankin' breakdown on "Nobody Move" and the catchy hooks of "Skinny Little Girl" and "Penny." Comes in gatefold sleeve with big fold out poster.

• music label: Innovative Leisure 2013

reviewed by suicide bangs 05/2013