Sparta, ‘Porcelain’

By • Jul 13th, 2004 • Category: Album Reviews

When At The Drive-In split, a proverbial line was drawn — Sparta (featuring Jim Ward, Paul Hinojos and Tony Hajjar) or The Mars Volta (featuring Cedric Bixler and Omar Rodriguez).

Mars Volta had an outstanding debut in 2003. But Sparta beat them to the punch with 2002’s “Wiretap Scars” and an impressive follow-up this year. While The Mars Volta is rooted in ATDI’s experimental side, Sparta has its grip firmly planted on hard-rocking, radio-ready guitar anthems.

Songs such as the ironically titled “Line In The Sand” show Ward is ready to take his strained vocals into the realm of gutsy rock ‘n’ roll and kick in the door the band cracked open a few years ago

Northern Star, July 13, 2004

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