Review Sat Aug 21 2010

Review: Autolux @ Bottom Lounge 8/20

By Aharona Ament

Autolux is the most amazing band to have ever made music anywhere in the universe. This was the feeling last night at at Bottom Lounge when they played to a packed house. The band released their second album, Transit Transit ealier this month. Six years ago they released Future Perfect. The time in between the two albums might have been too great for fans and the release of energy was prominent and well known as the audience made various animal sounds, cheered non stop and paid respect with the groovin' head bop with no indifferent stares. There were smiles all over these hipster faces.

Local band Allá opened the night and then Space-Drone superstars This Will Destroy You played a set that was perfect in time. I was worried that a band with such an epic sound would ruin the mood of seeing Autolux as too much post rock can be like eating too much cheesecake, an extremely rich experience that will turn you off for awhile. But the band gave us just enough to appreciate their sound and promised to return to Chicago soon.

As Autolux set up I noticed how far apart each band member was from each other on far opposite edges of the stage. I wondered how the space would affect how the band not only performed, but made music as well. As they opened with "Census" from the new album, I had a new understanding of needing personal space. The sound this band creates is dauntingly lush, as well as sharp as a razor blade, shredding any soft illusion. You could tell each musician was in their own element as they almost telepathically communicated to contribute to a sound that is wonderfully confusing as it is good. Bassist/Lead Singer Eugene Goreshter and Guitarist/Pianist Greg Edwards worked together beautifly in both vocals and rhythm in "Turnstile Blues" from Future Perfect creating echos and causing fists to raise in the air.

The band was fun to watch perform. It is not that good shows are so few and far between, but it is always fun to see someone "in it", lost in a moment where the only thing that matters is that song. I loved watching the smirk on Eugene Goreshter's face because it could have been interpreted either shyness or as raging confidence, like the kind you get when you know you rock.

Drummer Carla Azar was also amazing to watch. Her talents in percussion and voice were remarkable and the band is held together by her beat. She came to the front of the stage to sing "Supertoys" with a comforting voice that softens a hard angled sound.

"Spots" allowed us take a short guitar break as Greg Edwards crooned this ballad on keyboard with a piercing voice that could break hearts. The band eventually joined in with distortion, but in the beginning of this song, it was all his show.

As the night ended, the band seemed to hurry off stage, but we were treated to an encore of two older songs letting everyone leave happy, yet wondering when we will see the mysterious trio again.