by: Sun-J
Before I even start the review, I would like to point out the fact that Sparta consists of three fifths of the band At the Drive In. Though, listeners should be hesitant to house any expectations, or comparisons to the once legendary underground band, because after releasing an EP full of potential, direction, and trans-melodic music earlier this year, Sparta has come out swinging with a promising LP. Close to forty-five minutes in length, the album takes you on a clever strum-filled, drum-bopping version of an emotion/love filled rock record with several lyrical underlying references to some sort of espionage, which is further evidenced by the title of Sparta's full length, "Wiretap Scars." Why espionage? Well, perhaps the group, or by the way labels run artists nowadays, the label felt that this would be an appropriate compliment to a summer full of spy-filled theatrical releases such as "Bourne identity," "Minority Report," and "Goldmember." Regardless, none of this affects the sonic aspect of the album whatsoever. The lead off track, "Cut Your Ribbon" begins with a funky drum loop shortly blended in with a lead guitar riff that calms the senses and lulls the mental being. About seven seconds later, and the track vocalist melo-ironically shouts out, "Wake Up." The chorus is also catchy in its own respect, "Anything, anything… how can you sleep at night?" The fourth track, "Collapse," is a soft-rock travel through light drums tip-toeing around a higher pitched guitar chord, all floating along gently with the heart felt crooning of Jim Ward. The following song, "Sans Cosm," keeps the soft-rock vibe going with a gentle intro before hitting into some heart pumping chords, and a super pumped up chorus. Furthermore, though the band consists of sixty percent of ATDI, the album as a whole strays away from the hard "screamo" sound so-to-speak, and follows along a path of a Coldplay or Lifehouse sound. Ending on a good note with "Assemble the Empire," Sparta drives for a hard bargain that even Clear Channel should be hesitant to pass up on.
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