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The electric space crusaders known as Powerman 5000 are back with their fourth release on the Dreamworks recording label. Technically it's their fifth studio disc. In 2001, Powerman 5000 shelved the record Anyone For Doomsday?. The band stated that , "It was a bold move for a band and the record label to put a stop on a record that had been pressed and is days away from the release date. We just didn't feel it was the direction we wanted to move in. It would have been predictable to take a step to the side instead of moving forward. And with the terror attacks on America on 9/11 that changed everyone's lives we didn't want Anyone For Doomsday? being the soundtrack to the chaos that surrounded us at the time." With all of this confusion around the band, they still had to go back into the studio and record a disc from scratch.

It was during all this confusion that bassist Dorian 27 and drummer Al 3 decided to leave the project to pursue other ventures. But Powerman 5000 bounced back quickly, adding Siggy Sjursen on bass guitar and Adrian Ost behind on drums. With fresh blood in the band Powerman 5000 felt rejuvenated, and with the new members came a new style and different sound. So Powerman 5000 set out to change their Sci-fi conjuring and blend more melodic modern rock flavorings into their music universe. The robotic space age suits that the band was known for could have landed them dangerously close to becoming a novelty rather than a lasting entity.

While the universe is a broad and unchartered territory, Powerman 5000 has settled down nicely on the planet of transformation. The band doesn't seem to be in a rush to have a successful radio hit, instead focusing on the craftsmanship of their own songwriting. They got the butterflies out with Mega Kung Fu Radio and then got their foot in the door with True Force. Then the band got some serious attention with 1999s platinum selling Tonight The Stars Revolt. With the installment of Transform, Powerman 5000 are here to make a statement.

The first single "Free" is a song that you will hear exploding from the vehicles of teenagers. Powerman 5000 has painted a hypnotic anthem for 2003s summertime rebellious masses all across the country. I believe that this song has the power to take the band to the mainstream radio gods where it will flourish on the airwaves. "Theme to a fake revolution" has familiar vocal stylings of singer Spider One. It sounds like Spider has expanded his lyrical construction and songwriting capabilities.

Track four is the song "Action ". This tune offers more decadent ambiance and escalating guitar play from M 33 and Adam 12 . The track showcases the playing ability and natural development from both guitar players. "Thats entertainment" instigates with a sense of disco era influences that ring out as an honest forum of deliverance from today's saturation of cookie cutter sounds that is resonating from rock radio.

Powerman 5000 expose the vindictive composition "A is for Apathy" on track six. It's cathartic screeches connect the dots and blister with a staunch conviction and engraving sway. "Stereotype" infects with stop and go signatures and curling melodies. The track smoothly floats from the relaxed sleep state tones to the panic attack of slamming guitars and edgy rhythms that drench Transform.

Powerman 5000 has turned it up a notch on this disc. Transform shows its more accessible in the melodic nature of its songs. It's a musical tour de force with 70s disco inspired showdowns to power pop infusion and good ol' rock n' roll. It's nice to see a band work hard and develop naturally. The band built their vision on a cornerstone of jolting breakdowns soaked in carnivorous riffage. They have coated their brawling compositions with a glamorous gloss of harmony, balancing a sleek attitude within their instinctual cadence. Powerman 5000 has shown an impressive culmination of a steady creative evolution with Transform. And that is the reason why this release is a significant contribution to modern rock music.

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