For me at least, using Python is the least of my concerns, in fact I like Python so having the build system in a familiar language instead of some esoteric DSL

For me at least, using Python is the least of my concerns, in fact I like Python so having the build system in a familiar language instead of some esoteric DSL would be wonderful. Unfortunately SCons was too slow and had its own problems, but it wasn't a bad idea imho. That said one thing I like about autotools is how it generates a build system that doesn't depend on more than shell script and make, and can be packaged that way. It's annoying that CMake produces a build system that requires CMake to be present to build.