Sparta - Wiretap Scars Review
Posted by Rich Piva on 09.05.2002
From the ashes of At the Drive-In…
Hi. I’m Rich. Thanks to Widro I have been given a shot to do some reviews for the new 411 music section. Hopefully you will see a bunch of different columns from me in the future. I love discussing music, so please; any feedback would be greatly appreciated.
From the ashes of At the Drive-In…
I have been waiting for this release since my favorite band, At the Drive-In, called it quits last year. Quick recap leading up to this release:
El Paso’s At the Drive-In was everyone’s new favorite band and the next big thing for 2000-2001. The band produced two classic albums, some EPs, and a bunch of singles since they formed in the mid 1990’s. After much internal debate, ATDI signed with a major label (Beastie Boys’ Grand Royal, owned by Virgin Records), and had Ross Robinson (Limp Bizkit) produce. The result was Relationship of Command, an absolute classic, but also screams from hardcore fans of “SELL OUT”. The band toured, but soon internal fighting and a general tiredness for one another lead to an indefinite hiatus before they could break it big. Thus the death of At the Drive In, but in turn the birth of two new bands, Sparta and the Mars Volta.
Sparta consists of 3/5 (the talented and better part) of At The Drive In. You can definitely hear who wrote and played the music for their former band. Sparta’s first full length has 12 tracks, all of which are keepers. Though you can tell these guys were in ATDI, thy have carved out a niche of their own in the rock universe.
The first track from and single Wiretap Scars, “Cut Your Ribbon”, is starting to get some airplay on rock stations. It fits in with the current hot heavy rock acts, but has harmonies and musicianship that is missing amongst the crap that is popular today. Lead vocalist Jim Ward, who played guitar and sang backup for ATDI, takes the lead for Sparta and screams his way through the verses, leading up to the melodic chorus, asking a group a jaded rock stars “…how can you sleep at night.” Ward’s voice fluctuates from outright screaming to soft crooning throughout Wiretap Scars.
Other standout tracks include “Air”, another potential single that can rock with the best (and worst) of them, but has sensibility that conjures up images of their former band. “Mye” channels the Cure rocking out, while “Echodyne Harmonic” lives up to its name with great harmonies and one of my current favorite choruses in music today.
Wiretap Scars through and through is a great album. At under ten bucks it is definitely worth grabbing before they become huge. This is a great alternative for those sick of the current pop-punk and “nu-metal” that is popular today, but not too much of a stretch for those who love the hot bands from Korn to New Found Glory. Sparta is head and shoulders above all of them though. Look for them opening up for Weezer and a headlining tour in 2003.
The warning to has been sent out. Like the track “Red Alibi” says: “…The traps have been set, and this will change everything.”
The 411: This is a great alternative for those sick of the current pop-punk and “nu-metal” that is popular today, but not too much of a stretch…
