Autolux set to release their first album in six years (and a new MP3)

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You’d be forgiven for having forgotten about Autolux. Their first and only album came out six years ago, which is practically pre-Cambrian in Internet time. That was before Pitchfork had launched a website devoted to micro music trends and a million blogs had sprung up to capture increasingly greenhorn bands.

Indeed, the stellar and polished “Future Perfect,” dropped in September of 2004, before the online music world had begun its blood-lust to be first, an evolution that can only lead to live streams and live-tweets of first rehearsals in Williamsburg featuring four flannel-clad men surrounded by Macbooks, effects pedals, samplers, and a rarely used beard trimmer.

Before Silversun Pickups built on their neo-shoegaze template and ran with it, the trio of Eugene Goreshter (vocals/bass), Greg Edwards (guitar/vocals), and Carla Azar (vocals/drums) were the initial breakout band from Silver Lake. Signed to T-Bone Burnett’s DMZ records, the record drew favorable comparisons to Sonic Youth, Blonde Redhead, and the Jesus & Mary Chain, while touring with big names like Beck and the White Stripes.

And then there was practically nothing. Autolux wrote a song for an exhibit at the Natural History Museum in 2006. They collaborated with UNKLE and played Sunset Junction in 2007, but they were essentially out of sight, straightening out their label woes and writing their album.

Next month sees them returning to action, embarking on a month-and-a-half-long national tour, culminating with a homecoming performance on Sept. 18 at the El Rey. It also finds them with product in stores for the first time since George W. Bush’s reelection, with the Aug. 3 release of “Transit Transit” on TBD Records (Radiohead, White Rabbits, Henry Clay People).

All the upcoming concert dates and a free MP3 of “Supertoys” can be found on their website. Those worried that one of Los Angeles’ finest bands has awkwardly stepped into the next decade need not worry. The new album is good -- and the band still lacks a Twitter account.

Download:
MP3: Autolux-”Supertoys” (Left-Click to download at Autolux Website)

-- Jeff Weiss

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