The "Get On With It!" Award - #1

The idea for this blog came to me one afternoon at work.  I was probably quite bored, listening to my ipod, and then bam! the idea struck me so forcefully that I had to write it down in the little notebook I carry with me everywhere.

The "Get On With It!" Award (think back to Monty Python and the Holy Grail) was created in order to draw awareness to an artist or band that needs to kick things into gear.  They have undoubtedly created something brilliant in the past, something that has rocked me and/or moved me, but I am getting impatient for something new and equally brilliant.  Franz Ferdinand would have been a perfect recipient of this award two months ago.  Prior to the end of January 2009, they hadn't put out an album for over three years.  That is simply too long for me to wait.  While I'm sad that I can't bestow this award upon them, I am happier now that they have released their third album (which I have been rocking a lot lately).

The first recipient of the "Get On With It!" Award, is not the most deserving.  No, that band will get theirs very soon.  You know who I am talking about, Justin.  No, this winning band happens to be none other than Autolux.  Autolux is a trio from Los Angeles that I first listened to back in late 2005/early 2006.  I was immediately impressed with their sound, not surprising once I found out that their guitarist, Greg Edwards, was in Failure.  Their debut record, Future Perfect, is one of the best sounding albums I've listened to.  Not only are the songs great, but the production is fantastic.  I love the way all the instruments sound.  The guitar tone is deep and heavy, but not overbearing.  The vocals, both male and female, are, I want to say, calm and placed perfectly in the mix.  The contrast between the vocals and instrumentation is very striking, but it all works so well together.  And the drumming of Carla Azar is pretty amazing.  Really, just great stuff.

Future Perfect was released in the fall of 2004, more than a year before I ever listened to it.  It's been over four years since then, and, quite frankly, it's time to get moving, Autolux.  Thankfully, their second album, Transit Transit, is scheduled to be released sometime this year.  It is definitely one of my most highly anticipated albums of the year, but until it actually hits the airwaves or internet-waves (?), I'll just have to keep listening to the fantastic music they've already put out.

I've added nine Autolux tracks to my playlist for the uninitiated.  I think we listened to their album on the way back from the Decemberists concert at the Oregon State Fair, Justin.  That was awhile ago, wasn't it?  Anyway, congratulations Autolux.  Now get on with it!