Autolux is a Los Angeles based Avant-garde Rock band mixing in elements of … Read Full Bio ↴Autolux is a Los Angeles based Avant-garde Rock band mixing in elements of Shoegaze and Alternative Rock, formed in 2000, (comprised of Eugene Goreshter: vocals/bass, Carla Azar: vocals/drums, and Greg Edwards: vocals/guitar, has just recently signed to TBD Records in the US for the release of their sophomore album, Transit Transit, and ATP Recordings for the rest of the world. The album was released on August 3rd, 2010. The band’s first record, Future Perfect, was released on T Bone Burnett s label, DMZ, under Columbia. Future Perfect was released in the winter of 2004 and began with "Turnstile Blues", featuring one of the most distinctive drumbeats and musical atmospheres of any album in recent memory. A Pitchfork review stated, "In the first 10 seconds of the album opener, Carla Azar shames most every beat-maker with her ridiculous Leibezeit-cum-Bonham percussion." The song created a vacuum of precise tumult that pulled you in, stretched you out, and spit your altered shape through a flawless cycle of songs. The album's otherworldly moods and eclectic makeup of songs made it difficult to categorize and gained the band much deserved respect. Four and half years have passed since the band stopped touring on Future Perfect. But the space since then has been filled with activity - in spite of any obstacles thrown their way, including the process of freeing themselves from Columbia and escaping with full ownership of Future Perfect.

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.

The Bouncing Wall
Autolux Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

They put you down when you feel weak
They burn your house down Too
You said like that you can't Speak
So could you
Put up your dukes Defended it

She become someone
That how it goes

Then she begin to run
See how she froze

I saw you, You know nothing
I feeling nothing Your are not here
I'm free the wall is bouncing
The lights are green
I am empty, Your empty

And She become someone
That how it goes

Then she begin to run
See how she froze

Overall Meaning

The Autolux's song The Bouncing Wall seems to address the feeling of being trapped, exploited and burnt-out in a world that constantly belittles and invalidates one's feelings. The opening line talks about how people, especially those in positions of power, tend to put down others when they feel weak, vulnerable or voiceless, sometimes taking extreme measures like burning down one's home or safe space. The next line, "You said like that you can't speak," implies that the victim is silenced by fear or by the seriousness of the situation, rendering them speechless and powerless. However, the singer urges the victim to "Put up your dukes," meaning they should stand up for themselves and fight back, even if it means defending their possessions, dignity or livelihood.

The second verse refers to a female character who appears to have undergone some form of transformation or transition, probably due to societal pressure or self-censorship. She has become "someone," which could suggest that she has lost her unique identity or voice, conforming to someone else's expectations or standards. Then, she begins to run, and the singer urges us to "see how she froze" probably out of fear, uncertainty or confusion.

The chorus talks about the singer feeling disconnected, perhaps from the victim, the world or their own self. They saw the victim going through a traumatic experience but feel nothing, which could be interpreted as emotional numbness or dissociation. The singer then declares that they are free, as the wall is bouncing, perhaps implying that they have escaped or overcome whatever was holding them back. The lights are green, which might signify the release from the red lights that impede progress, growth or success. Finally, they declare that they are empty, just like 'she' who also became someone and ran.

Line by Line Meaning

They put you down when you feel weak
When you're vulnerable, others may ridicule you

They burn your house down too
Others may also sabotage what you have achieved

You said like that you can't speak, so could you
If you're struggling to express yourself, can you find another way?

Put up your dukes defended it
Protect yourself and stand up for what you believe in

She become someone, that how it goes
She transformed as time passed, as often happens in life

Then she begin to run, see how she froze
When faced with challenges, she panicked and couldn't move forward

I saw you, you know nothing
You may be unaware of the impact you have on others

I feeling nothing, you are not here
In your absence, I feel empty

I'm free, the wall is bouncing, the lights are green
I feel liberated, as if barriers are crumbling and opportunities abound

I am empty, your empty
We both may feel hollow inside

And she become someone, that how it goes
Yet again, she underwent a transformation