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Set at Parnassus University, the songs on The Scholars portray students and staff whose experiences highlight a loose narrative of life, death, and rebirth. Inspired by an apocryphal poem by "Archbishop Guillermo Guadalupe del Toledo," and featuring character designs from cartoonist Cate Wurtz, the album's first half focuses on the profound yearning and spiritual crises of the Scholars, from the tortured playwright Beolco to Devereaux, who struggles to find higher guidance. The second part features epics detailing the clash between defenders of classic texts and a youth who disregards the canon, leading to a campus war, as Toledo describes. The lyrics and story arc draw from classics like Shakespeare and Mozart, while the music integrates elements from classic rock operas, such as The Who's Tommy and David Bowie's Ziggy Stardust. "Rock operas often sacrifice individual songs for plot flow," Toledo notes. "I aimed for a middle ground where each song shines as a character with their performance." Self-produced and primarily recorded in analog, The Scholars is "the most bottom up of any project we've done," according to Ives, who embraced a greater creative role in sound design. Each song's journey is compelling, featuring expansive tracks like the 19-minute 'Planet Desperation' and breezy singles like 'The Catastrophe (Good Luck With That Man)', showcasing their ability to craft catchy tunes reminiscent of '60s folk pop. Having faced their challenges, Car Seat Headrest is ready for the next chapter, impressing both longtime and new fans. Originally a solo project, Toledo explains, "We've been taking each other's pulses... and created a special space during the pandemic. It finally clicked into sync, and I've felt that band unity on this record." Its a journey listeners will want to experience repeatedly, discovering the rich depths of The Scholars.

GATEFOLD DOUBLE LP FEATURES A FULL COLOR 28-PAGE ILLUSTRATED LYRIC BOOK, ORNATE PACKAGING IN THE GRAND TRADITION OF THE 1970s ROCK OPERA

01CCF (I'm Gonna Stay With You)

02Devereaux

03Lady Gay Approximately

04The Catastrophe (Good Luck With That, Man)

05Equals

06Gethsemane

07Reality

08Planet Desperation

09True/False Lover