1. Like the robot toys of the same name, the album proves itself to be adept at being two things at once. Many tunes on Transformer would sit well in a party breaks set, but there's also something about the album's pop sensibilities that makes it worth a listen in the car too. 'Proper' instrument-playing guests play a big part, giving it a so-called hip house flavour on 'Flute track' - no bad thing considering the resurgence of this sound over the last eight months or so.
2. In fact, there's quite a few guests, which perhaps goes to show that as an artist Chix is passionate about collaborating. Vocal performances are good, and in some places, as on the downtempo highlight 'Curo', really inhabit the tune. But 'Planets' is undermined by rather too enthusiastic vocal delivery, where it should be shouty or deadpan, and nowhere in between. Whilst I'm sure Rocka G's lyrics will work well with the music in a live context, they don't always translate on record. You feel that, like the Freestylers' first album, the breaks elements here will ignite in front of an audience.
3. In the privacy of your own head, more of Transformer should step out of the shadow of the vocals and take more chances, as it's strong enough to do that. This shows as, after 'Curo', highlights come toward the instrumental end of the album. 'Pennsylvania' fastens nice d'n'b breaks to big band samples without losing any heads-down feeling. '4 Minute Chemical' sees Chix venture back into a complex leftfield territory that suits really well.
4. This is a multi-faceted album that wears its influences on its sleeve. It touches so well on so many different sounds that you can't help feeling Chix should focus on whichever interests him most, and mine the subtleties of those more fully. At some future point those diverse sounds will integrate and grow together, at which point Chix will be huge."