Cabin by the Sea

Cabin by the Sea, The Dirty Heads’ second album, came out on June 19 - just in time to compete for the title of “perfect summer kickback soundtrack.” The album was released on the Five Seven Music label.

“Way Too Thin,” the album’s first single, asserts independence from what Joni Mitchell called “the star-maker machinery behind the popular song” and every stoner’s inalienable right to just chill every once in a while. The light fusion sounds are just accessible enough for the average soft-rock cubicle jockey who dreams of releasing his inner Rasta.

Next, the Heads crank up the funk with “Mongo Push.” In a slurred rap, Dustin Bushnell sings, “You look at me the wrong way, and I say okay/ Doesn’t bother me,” exemplifying an accepting serenity you may expect from a yoga instructor. The title, which is a reference to an awkward skateboarding stance, is a metaphor for a relationship that started off “on the wrong foot.”

“Burn by Myself” could be the best bonfire song of the summer. A celebration of the long-standing conviviality and companionship that accompanies this lifestyle; this song could convince anyone who was even half willing to join the circle and blaze along.

“Best of Us” is an ode to a dearly beloved, toking, whiskey swigging girlfriend. The best part of Cabin by the Sea is the fully-formed appreciation for the little blessings in the artists’ lives that appears throughout the album, and this song is one of the most grateful.

If you’re partial to The Dirty Heads’ lifestyle, this album will fit you like your favorite baja poncho. Warm, familiar and evocative of an entire culture, it’s a fun sonic experience, even if you don’t inhale.