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.
Hamster Suite
Autolux Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
They still make you strange
The Sun is a wheel
The day is a cage
Your history is a bitch
You got one good arm
We ain't gonna work
You don't remember your dreams
They still make you strange
The Sun is a wheel
The day is a cage
Let them see your teeth
Every crooked charm
As she float over reef
And you turn into [?]
You don't remember your dreams
They still make you strange
The Sun is a wheel
The day is a cage
The lyrics of Autolux's song Hamster Suite is a surreal portrayal of self-discovery from the perspective of someone struggling to recall their dreams, which have left a powerful impact on their psyche. The first verse emphasizes the enigmatic nature of dreams and its ability to impact an individual's character, rendering them “strange” despite not being able to recollect it. The lyrics also suggest a certain degree of existential dread, as the line “The Sun is a wheel, the day is a cage” paints a picture of a bleak reality that one must learn to endure.
The following verse introduces an element of physical limitation, represented by “one good arm” and the challenges it presents in maintaining a relationship. Rather than sympathizing with the singer's plight, the lyrics suggest that they “[ain't] gonna work” on overcoming these obstacles. The chorus then repeats the same lines as the first, underlining the significance of remembered dreams and the struggle to come to terms with the reality of life.
The final verse incorporates an animalistic imagery with the phrase “let them see your teeth,” highlighting the importance of showing strength and resilience through adversity. The shift towards the aquatic theme, where the singer “float over reef” and “turn into [?]” implies a newfound sense of freedom and discovery. The lyrics to Hamster Suite paint a surrealistic picture of self-discovery, acknowledging the inner battles one must face to fully understand themselves and their place in the world.
Line by Line Meaning
You don't remember your dreams
Despite having dreams at night, you have no recollection of them
They still make you strange
Your dreams have a lasting effect on you, causing you to feel odd or different
The Sun is a wheel
The sun appears to rotate around the Earth like a wheel, despite the scientific fact that the Earth revolves around the sun
The day is a cage
The daily routine can feel suffocating, like being trapped in a cage
Your history is a bitch
Your past experiences and decisions can be difficult or unpleasant to deal with
You got one good arm
You have a physical limitation, possibly from an injury or birth defect, that restricts your abilities
We ain't gonna work
Our relationship or collaboration is not going to be successful
On your [?]
The missing word or phrase leaves the listener guessing and unsure of what is being referred to
Let them see your teeth
Don't hide your flaws or imperfections, flaunt them instead
Every crooked charm
Each unique or quirky personality trait adds to one's overall charm
As she float over reef
An unknown woman glides above a coral reef, creating a dreamlike and surreal image
And you turn into [?]
The missing word or phrase continues the enigmatic and mysterious tone of the song
Writer(s): Greg Edwards, Carla Azar, Jordy Asher, Eugene Goreshter
Contributed by Christopher W. Suggest a correction in the comments below.