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.
Capital Kind of Strain
Autolux Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
keep your eyes on the sidewalk
and kick around for a few
fake you out is all They'll do
keep your head all tied up,
in the sky above you
its a capital kind of..
its a capital kind of strain
They don't know how to waste time
keep Their eyes on the landmark
They'll be here soon to forget you.
fake you out is all They'll do
keep your head all tied up,
in the sky above you
its a capital kind of..
its a capital kind of..
its a capital kind of strain
its a capital kind of..
its a capital kind of..
its a capital kind of strain
The lyrics to Autolux's "Capital Kind of Strain" convey a sense of distrust and disconnection from society. The singer encourages the listener to avoid trusting "Them," likely referring to some sort of authority figure or group, and to keep their eyes on the sidewalk, or to be grounded and present in their own reality. The repetition of the phrase "fake you out is all They'll do" reinforces the idea of a lack of trust, as if the singer has been burned before and is warning the listener to be careful.
The chorus, "its a capital kind of strain," seems to suggest that this sense of distrust and disconnection is a pervasive feeling that goes beyond any individual experience. The use of the word "capital" implies that this is not just a personal struggle, but may be a symptom of a larger societal issue. The verses that follow continue the theme of being forgotten or overlooked by "Them," and the idea of being tied up in the sky above suggests a feeling of being disconnected or detached from reality.
Overall, the lyrics of "Capital Kind of Strain" paint a picture of a world where trust is in short supply and individuals feel disconnected from each other and from society as a whole.
Line by Line Meaning
They don't know, so don't trust Them
Do not trust those who do not know what they are talking about.
keep your eyes on the sidewalk
Focus on your own path and do not get distracted by external factors.
and kick around for a few
Take your time and do not rush your decisions.
fake you out is all They'll do
Those who do not know will try to deceive you.
keep your head all tied up,
Do not let yourself get mentally trapped or manipulated by others.
in the sky above you
Do not let your dreams or aspirations distract you from reality.
its a capital kind of..
This is a high level of stress or pressure.
They don't know how to waste time
Those who are inexperienced do not know how to effectively use their time.
keep Their eyes on the landmark
Experienced individuals know what they are working towards and stay focused on the end goal.
They'll be here soon to forget you.
Those who do not know you will quickly forget about you and move on.
its a capital kind of strain
This is a significant amount of pressure or stress.
Contributed by Max O. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Bing Bong Boolius
The huge volume explosion near the end of the song scared the absolute shit out of me when I was driving home at 3 AM, listening to this album. I almost drove off the road.
Warstub
PROBABLY ONE OF THE BEST INDIE SONGS I'VE HEARD! ...EVER!
anyonlinr
How does this only have 30,000 + views? Such a great band.
michael801
Astonishingly beautiful
j Bradford
If you haven't done so, buy this CD, MP3 whatever, just BUY IT! Plus their latest release.
Plainly Jane
I think this song is about temptation to use drugs, and ironically contrasted against borezo normies who have their working routine their status obsession and miss out on life. Parts he describes escape like drugs (keep head tied up in the sky) but a lot of references to the boring routine of work (deceitful people in a system you have to navigate, "capital strain" the title itself, meaninglessness of it in the end). I think intentionally using those who live square normie lives and miss out as a contrast to addiction, and how it becomes an ironic normal routine robbing you of living. And of course the multiple references to staying focused, particularly the first part contrasting head in sky vs falling down from walking ilne on sidewalk.
lily
1000% agree
sebastien berube
shoegaze indie rock, maybe a lil' space rockin sound, too. this mixes everything cool and prog-y.
j Bradford
Past, Present and Future Perfect Song!
Caprihornyy Marciano
This isn't really indie, it's like dream pop