Trans Am - Sex Change

Sex Change is Trans-Am's feel-good album. To me, the first few songs sound like Kraftwerk or Tangerine Dream jamming with the Grateful Dead. The first two songs are filler. The tempo picks up with some electro moves on "Obscene Strategies", but unfortunately sounds like a Bobby Conn throwaway track. "Conspiracy of the Gods" is sort of a soundtrack to driving around in, well, a Trans-Am. The best part of this track is the syncopated percussion and the ridiculous '80s guitar riffs, which leads me to believe this is sort of a commentary on the naivety of typical American life. It seems like they are just playing around and having a good time with things like vocoders, old drum machines and keyboards. The turning point of the album is on "4,738 Regrets", where the playing seems more heartfelt but static. The overall momentum of these tracks is sort of uphill and the feeling optimistic. One of my favorite parts of the record is the drums on "Tesco vs. Sainsbury's": a driving, propulsive rhythm that takes flight when you add in the staccato synth line and the epic, atmospheric ending. "Shining Path" contains the best riff, but ultimately doesn't really go anywhere like much of the album. The grandiose closer "Triangular Pyramid" is the shining moment, an ironically moving experience with a humorous ending. Nothing too brilliant on Sex Change, but maybe that's the point. Just listen to this and have some fun. [www.transband.com]