Category:
Rock

Try if you like:
Fridge, Kraftwerk, Mogwai, Rome, Tortoise

•   Climbing Up The Ladder
•   North East Rising Sun

Trans Am is a band that many people have dabbled in at some point in their music listening. I would argue that Sex Change may be the album to get some of the nay-sayers into this inventive and fun band. These guys have been lazily lumped in with a lot of the post-rock bands in the mid 90s but if you hear Sex Change you will be hard pressed to keep that comparison anymore. No, now it would be more fitting of Boards of Canada or maybe even Datarock. One listen to "Obscene Strategies" and its electroclash feel will set you straight. No post-rock here.

Check out the infective "North East Rising Sun" for an instantly catchy song that demands to be played while driving. It does have vocals and they are a nice addition here. 

But then a little confusion sets in on the soaring rock track "Conspiracy of the Gods". It has a larger than life feel to it with some pretty cool guitar licks, almost a proto-metal feel or something close, but still a fun, driving track none-the-less. Then they are back in the vocoder style with a darker track, "Climbing Up the Ladder (Parts III and IV)". Then on "Reprieve" they hit almost a new-age vibe. It is a great track but the way the acoustic guitars and keyboards meld it seems like something that would be more suited for a movie. Then again on "Shining Path" Trans Am opt for the metal vibe. 

Trans Am is a diverse band that never get the credit they deserve. With Sex Change that might alter things a little. This is a strong, diverse album that may turn on some new fans. Although it may be their diversity that keeps many away.