As part of the long build up to the release of Transit Transit, they made available, "Audience No.2", as a 'pay what you will’ track on their website. Soon after, they joined PJ Harvey for a tour of Russia. During this time they also continued to play their own shows, trying out new songs live, and in some cases revisiting the recorded versions to make necessary alterations or, in some cases, total deletions. In the summer of 2009, they collaborated with the painter, Kill Pixie (Mark Whalen) for 'Future Spa', an art exhibition/sound installation in Los Angeles. In more recent months, the band has toured extensively, including an appearance at All Tomorrow's Parties in upstate New York and an opening spot with Thom Yorke's Atoms For Peace.
Now, the much-awaited follow-up, Transit Transit is finally here. It begins no less uniquely than its predecessor, although this time the subtler concussion of rhythm that starts the title track is an announcement of change, and the following mood and vocal-- a metaphysical sorbet. If you have been waiting, somewhat impatiently, for this record, Transit Transit has yielded an unexpected mix of material, but has everything you had hoped for. And if Autolux is a band you are just discovering, here is a deep and profound world of noise and emotion to immerse yourself in.
The band produced Transit Transit themselves with guitarist/vocalist Greg Edwards serving as engineer. The record was recorded - at Space 23, the bands makeshift studio in their rehearsal room near downtown Los Angeles. The title track "Transit Transit" (the last song to be recorded) was started in Denmark by Edwards, using a virtually unplayable upright piano and a sample of a coffin-style freezer found in a nearby basement, and then finished back in Los Angeles. There is a notable sonic progression to Transit Transit: samples, vintage synthesizers, and manipulated ambience glue central song components together. There are a lot more vocal harmonies and piano driven songs, even a bit of trumpet. Vocal duties are shared by all three members throughout the album - their voices strangely similar - but each having a definite emotional character. Bassist/ singer, Eugene Goreshter continues to innovate his bass style, effortlessly modernizing the instrument's melodic role on songs like "Census" and "Supertoys", while still providing an on-edge rawness and groove-filled momentum. Edwards' guitars serve to modulate the moods throughout the record, constantly evoking feelings found in the space between emotions. And Carla Azar's sturdy, creative drumming (a phenomenon to behold on stage) continues on record with plenty of hook beats - ferocious and orchestral, at once.
The majority of the album was mixed by Kennie Takahashi, three of the tracks being mixed by Dave Sardy, and then mastered by Bob Ludwig. Artist Kill Pixie and Carla created the artwork for Transit Transit.
3 Subzero Fun
Autolux Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Down
Caucus in my lap
Frown
Forget what you lack
They still want you back
If you recognize me
Now its every day
There all in your way
Except for this one
You've got a ?rubber? soul
You've got ?their other? side
Before its gets to bitter cold
Just get yourself together
For some subzero fun
Your my best eraser
Days can't go must faster
You won't cross yourself
When your someone else
So watch your head now
Watch your head
You've got a ?rubber? soul
You've got ?their other? side
Before its gets to bitter cold
Just get yourself together
For some subzero
Got a ?rubber? soul
You've got ?the other? side
"??????????????"
Ice caps melt for you babe
In this subzero fun
The lyrics to Autolux's song Subzero Fun depict a sense of detachment and dissociation from oneself and one's surroundings. The singer seems to be addressing someone who they have a close relationship with, possibly a lover, but the relationship is strained and hollow. The line "You're my preferred route down" could suggest that the person being addressed is what the singer turns to when they want to escape or distance themselves from their own emotions or problems. The line "You've got a rubber soul" further emphasizes this sense of separation from oneself and a lack of real emotions or connection. The chorus of the song seems to be urging the person being addressed to embrace this frozen, detached state and take pleasure in it - "Before it gets too bitter cold, just get yourself together for some subzero fun."
Throughout the song, there is a sense of unease and discomfort, with references to frowning and the need to "watch your head". The line "They still want you back" suggests that the person being addressed may have left or distanced themselves from a group or community in some way, and the others are trying to bring them back into the fold. However, the singer urges them not to give in, to continue living in this frozen world that they have created for themselves.
Line by Line Meaning
Your my preferred rout
Down
I choose to follow you as my guide, even if it leads me down and to a dark place.
Caucus in my lap
Frown
You sit closely to me, but your expression is one of sadness or displeasure.
Forget what you lack
They still want you back
Even if you don't have everything you want, others still desire you and want you around.
If you recognize me
Please just pass on by
If you know who I am, don't acknowledge me or stop to talk.
Now its every day
There all in your way
Except for this one
People are always in your path or causing complications, but today is different and allows for a clear path.
You've got a ?rubber? soul
You've got ?their other? side
Before its gets to bitter cold
Just get yourself together
For some subzero fun
Your personality is flexible like rubber and you have another side not everyone sees. Before things get too bad, pull yourself together and enjoy some fun despite the cold environment.
Your my best eraser
Days can't go must faster
You won't cross yourself
When your someone else
So watch your head now
Watch your head
You're my favorite way to forget the days and move on quickly. You don't hold grudges against yourself when you're pretending to be someone else, but be careful as you do so.
Got a ?rubber? soul
You've got ?the other? side
"??????????????"
Ice caps melt for you babe
In this subzero fun
Your personality is again compared to rubber and you have another side to you. There's an unknown challenge coming, but you have the power to melt away the frozen heart of someone special during the subzero fun.
Lyrics © OBO APRA/AMCOS
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