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.
Plantlife
Autolux Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
you can be afraid of it, but callously go on
bend to me, darling, you'll see, darling
it's a violet way we have, even when we smile
we're so dumb someways, so dumb, always
tied up and pulled apart, like a kidnapped root
kill your best ideas, your crossed beliefs
shut your mouth, ooh
shut your mouth, ah
shut your mouth, ooh
shut your mouth...
The lyrics to Autolux's song "Plantlife" are open to interpretation, but one could find meaning in the song's themes of growth, fear, and conformity. The opening lines "All for one growing, in you, growing / You can be afraid of it, but callously go on" suggest a growing process that one may fear but still cannot stop. The line "bend to me, darling, you'll see, darling" could mean giving in to expected societal norms, while "it's a violet way we have, even when we smile" implies a deep, hidden aspect of oneself that cannot be easily revealed.
The second verse continues with the idea of being "so dumb someways, so dumb, always," perhaps acknowledging shortcomings or mistakes in one's growth process. The phrase "tied up and pulled apart, like a kidnapped root" could be interpreted as feeling controlled or restricted in one's growth. The line "kill your best ideas, your crossed beliefs" may reference abandoning one's personal beliefs in favor of conformity. Finally, "catch a glimpse of natalie in catalina fog" adds an ambiguous, surreal element to the song, with "natalie" potentially representing someone or something that has been lost or obscured.
Overall, "Plantlife" could be seen as a commentary on the struggles of personal growth and the societal pressures to conform.
Line by Line Meaning
All for one growing, in you, growing
Everything that's growing is for one purpose: to grow within you.
you can be afraid of it, but callously go on
You can be afraid of growth, but you must continue moving forward with unfeeling indifference.
bend to me, darling, you'll see, darling
Submit to me, and you'll understand the true nature of growth.
it's a violet way we have, even when we smile
Our way of growth is nuanced, veiled, and often hidden under a mask of happiness.
we're so dumb someways, so dumb, always
Despite our growth, we remain foolish in many ways, always stumbling and making mistakes.
tied up and pulled apart, like a kidnapped root
Our growth is frequently stunted or inhibited, much like a plant whose roots have been torn out of the ground and dangled about.
kill your best ideas, your crossed beliefs
In order to grow, you must abandon cherished ideas and beliefs that no longer serve a purpose.
catch a glimpse of natalie in catalina fog
Amidst confusion and chaos, there is still beauty and clarity to be found.
shut your mouth, ooh
Stop talking, be quiet, and listen to the growth happening around you.
shut your mouth, ah
Be still, be silent, and let the beauty of growth wash over you.
shut your mouth, ooh
Calm your mind, be at peace, and let growth take its course.
shut your mouth...
In short, be quiet and let your growth speak for itself.
Contributed by Nicholas E. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
klennski
most under-appreciated band in the world.
captainreverb
@Leon Bingel Failure is super boring in comparison to Autolux.
Chang Man
@Aura failure fuckin slap
Aura
@Leon Bingel failure is whatever.
Autolux’s first album is amazing though
Leon Bingel
Is failure...
Federico Rodriguez Lopez
Greg is pure gold
ARMTOAST
Man, Karla fuckin drives this song so well. She's so powerful yet so cautious, it's like watching a doberman balance a piece of meat on its nose.
Aura
Well said mate. She’s one of the greatest drummers I’ve ever heard or seen. For sure.
You’d only understand it though if you play music or drums specifically.
tkay4401
I jut now stumbled onto this band... in 2020. How did I miss this band? I must be living under a rock. This is outstanding!
xeo ˵ˊᯅˋ˵
same with me