Future Perfect

Blame it on Sonic Youth. Bands that utilize dissonance and noise in a pop song will inevitably draw comparison to those seminal New York noisemakers. Autolux’s talent draws notice in that it does not merely imitate the masters. The trio of L.A. scene veterans (vocalist and guitarist Eugene Edwards notably having spent time in 1990’s alt faves Failure) appears secure in its pursuit of anonymity by following its uncompromising heart, neither trying to hide the songwriting behind a wall of noise, nor aping popular trends. This means intriguing listening for us and possibly years of never being able to quit day jobs for these three innovators. Produced by T-Bone Burnett, Future Perfect appears purposely engineered to pick up where influential soundscape engineers My Bloody Valentine left the trail of solemn shoegazing. Toss in a dash of the sort of experimentation favored by the Flaming Lips, and for the most part you have an idea of what Autolux is up to. Excluding the absolutely flawless song “Subzero Fun,” Future Perfect lacks anything really special that might raise the album above merely a pleasurable listening experience.