Moving Units and Autolux
The Independent, San Francisco, CA
February 18, 2005

V and i scuttled off to the Independent (formerly the Justice League, and oh what a better moniker that was) for the evening's indie kid conference featuring the Secret Machines, Moving Units, and Autolux. We were among the first in and managed to get seats on the side of the stage. I've been impressed by Autolux's debut album Future Perfect and was keen to see the neo-shoegazing/drone rock outfit. They were incredibly tight, and excelled at putting together swells of noise reined in by driving melodies. Veronica somehow managed to sleep through them, more a comment on her lack of rest than the band. She awoke for Moving Units, an LA three-piece joining the legions of bands clamoring to recreate Gang of Four. This isn't necessarily a bad thing, as far as revivalist trends go this is one of the more palatable. MU were quite good ... engaging songs, good energy ... but unfortunately i kept thinking that many of their songs sounded like the Rapture with a much less interesting singer. Veronica added that he isn't as attractive either. Anyhow, i give them a B+ and look forward to future output. I harbored an interest in the Secret Machines, but we both were ready to collapse when Moving Units wrapped it up, and headed home to relieve my sister Hilary from her dog-sitting duties.

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