Los Angeles-based Hanni El Khatib grew up in San Francisco raised on skateboarding (former creative director at HUF), punk rock, and 1950s and 60s classic Americana. Influenced by pioneers of early rock and R&B, the multi-instrumentalist and producer derives his unique sound from a menagerie of inspirations: blues, soul, garage rock, doo-wop, and the most American thing of all, car wrecks. It's malt shop music for those who drink them spiked with bourbon or in Hanni's own words "these songs were written for anyone who's ever been shot or hit by a train. Knife fight music." For picks, check out "Build. Destroy. Rebuld," "Dead Wrong," "Loved One," "Heartbreak Hotel," "You Rascal You," as well as the title track.

• music label: Stones Throw 2011

reviewed by Stones Throw 2011