Powerman 5000 wants you to 'Transform'

Powerman 5000 called its new album transform. because Johnny's First Politically Charged Metal Album would be too condescending. The music is so slick and so well-made, with relentlessly catchy riffs and choruses that it's hard to hate but untrustworthy at the same time.\nThe music, especially lead singer Spider's lyrics, seems to acknowledge an impressionably young audience that probably won't remember the three previous major label records. There's not much point in artistic growth when a band's audience turns over every two years or so. Instead, it's cynical corporate-style rebellion that's obvious to everybody over age 16 and most fitting to boys that age that can't get a date.\nFor example, they go off on a pop star rant where we "see who's the biggest whore," as Spider sings. Oh, please, dude. That is so not fecund. Say that again when you're on an indie label.\nPM5K's music is grounded in chugging guitars and airy, post-apocalyptic synthesizerscapes. The choruses are delivered sledgehammer-style but without any rhythmic playfulness. Doesn't this band like girls? The arrangements aren't nu-metal, but they are too modern to be confused for old school metal either.\nThey're straddling a fine line, waiting to transform again for the next group of innocent future 16 year olds.