The Tijuana Panthers are back and this time they’re all grown up
(kind of). Combining their signature surf rock with new experimentations
in sound, Carpet Denim is the culmination of nearly three years
of work and the band’s subconscious evolution into deeper, more
personal places.
Taking concepts that have long been percolating, this album is the
musical version of a beachside, drop-top cruise -- punctuated by
deeply human lyrics. Carpet Denim hits deep notes of introspective
darkness with songs like “You Died,” a ballad-y jam that delves into
the complex emotional wreckage of a father’s passing, and the
album’s single, “Path of Totality,” about a close friend of the band’s
who lost the fight against alcoholism.
These soulful forays are offset by Tijuana Panthers singular, upbeat
sound, with the playful jam “Little Pampelmousse” that celebrates
fatherhood and refers to Phil’s nickname for his new, beloved baby.
Then there’s “710,” a spirited coast down memory lane that embodies
the band’s signature sunniness - all while reminiscing about growing
up in Long Beach.
The culmination of the band’s many years on the road and making
noise, Carpet Denim falls deeper into their weird and wild tendencies
(there’s even a synthesizer that makes an appearance). It’s inspired
by everything, from politics to the guys’ personal lives, Haruki
Murakami and Twin Peaks. There’s the perfectly dissonant “TV
People,” a creepy little number that combines simple guitar with a
roving bass to create an abstract jam that’s hard to forget.
This album is the same garage-y Tijuana Panthers you love, but this
time, they channel their unbridled energy into a moody maturation
of their music. The band returned to their hometown of Long Beach,
CA to record Carpet Denim at Jazzcats studio. Unlike earlier albums
such as Poster and Wayne Interest - which were recorded in a
flash-bang, marathon sitting, the band’s latest album was methodically
assembled by Jonny Bell over multiple days. Pouring over
production, Carpet Denim is a collective deep breath that weaves
together years of songwriting -- all jam-packed with summertime
vibes, peaks of punk rock and Tijuana Panthers’ signature oddball
adventures.
