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.
Future Perfect
Autolux Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
There's only one voice you can count on to keep you down
Skin the bees and stripe the ceiling where you wake up
Cuz all that movement under cover
Is just bad luck
I change my head so i won't be followed
I change my head so my friends don't call me
I change my head so i won't be bored
You know a certain brand of escape that gives you hope
So afraid of being found out you let it go
You never had the kind of focus to play a part
Now soar away and give up people
It's like an art
I change my head so i won't be followed
I change my head so my friends don't call me
I change my head so no one can fault me
I change my head so i won't be bored
The lyrics to Autolux's song "Future Perfect" tell a story of change and escape, of leaving behind an old life and starting anew. The first few lines describe the physical act of leaving, of "splitting" from a former self and house-training the body that's left behind. The singer implies that there is only one voice that can keep them down, presumably their own; this suggests that the singer is attempting to break free from negative self-talk and self-doubt. The lines "Skin the bees and stripe the ceiling where you wake up" are cryptic and open to interpretation, but they could be seen as symbols of transformation and renewal. The "movement under cover" could refer to the singer's previous life, the secrets and lies they've kept hidden.
The chorus of the song, "I change my head so I won't be followed / I change my head so my friends don't call me / I change my head so no one can fault me / I change my head so I won't be bored," is a mantra of sorts. The singer is determined to reinvent themselves, to escape the expectations of others and the limitations they've placed on themselves. The lyric "You know a certain brand of escape that gives you hope / So afraid of being found out you let it go" suggests that the singer has engaged in some kind of escapism, perhaps to cope with the pressures of their old life. They were afraid of being discovered, of being seen for who they truly are. But now they're ready to "soar away" and give up on the people who were holding them back.
Overall, the lyrics to "Future Perfect" are about taking control of one's life, shedding old skin, and embracing change. The repetition of the chorus reinforces the idea that change is constant and necessary, and that it's up to us to shape ourselves and our futures.
Line by Line Meaning
Before you split house-train the body you leave behind
Before you move on and leave behind your old self, make sure to clean up any loose ends or unresolved issues.
There's only one voice you can count on to keep you down
Your own negative self-talk will always be there to bring you down and hold you back.
Skin the bees and stripe the ceiling where you wake up
Examine your surroundings and take control by making changes in your daily environment.
Cuz all that movement under cover is just bad luck
Hiding your true self and intentions only leads to negative consequences and bad luck.
I change my head so i won't be followed
I alter my mindset and behavior to avoid being influenced or controlled by others.
I change my head so my friends don't call me
I adjust my personality or habits to avoid negative reactions or judgment from others.
I change my head so no one can fault me
I modify my actions or decisions in order to avoid being criticized or blamed by others.
I change my head so i won't be bored
I constantly seek new experiences and challenges to avoid becoming stagnant or unfulfilled.
You know a certain brand of escape that gives you hope
You are familiar with certain coping mechanisms or distractions that give you temporary relief or optimism.
So afraid of being found out you let it go
You are so fearful of being exposed or judged that you give up on your true desires or goals.
You never had the kind of focus to play a part
You lack the ability to fully commit to a role or persona, making it difficult to fit in or succeed in certain environments.
Now soar away and give up people It's like an art
Now you can fly away from your old life and relationships, as if it's a graceful and intentional act of self-expression.
Contributed by Callie A. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Gdavid
one of my favorite albums from high school. haven't heard it since then. crazy how the memories rush back.
St. Ides
same. a lot of autolux and deerhunter back in those days
pepperachu
Yea man I was lucky to have a cool English teacher who introduced me back in 2005
Archimagirus Sancti
Bassist is an absolute hero
Zachary Reynolds
I heard this once years ago and spent hours trying to find it again. Here I am
Aura
Congrats. Listen this this whole album. Each song stands out.
My absolute favorites are plantlife and here comes everybody.
Plantlife is a beautiful dreamy simple jam that they all shine on. Carlas drumming drives the song, Greg’s dreamy guitar tone is just sooo dreamy and Greg’s bass playing straight up rocks and he plays the synth parts on his bass with like feedback or something in the beginning and it’s super dope.
Apis Mellifera
So happy for the vinyl reissue of this album!
beepst
I always get a sci-fi vibe from this album.
Malcolm Beckett
I bought this when it came out, just listened to it again and i can't believe how good it sounds, it is a gorgeous track 😍
Jake Allen Jones
@Lucas G Never heard that one! I'll have to give it a listen. Another for me would be Sonic Youth's Rather Ripped album. Much more straight forward approach than previous releases and easily digestible.