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Sparta | Wiretap Scars

Not freak-out. Not that original. Just great punkrock.
CD, Dreamworks/Universal

Tekst: Rob van Leeuwen

Publicatiedatum: 11 september 2002

Like the Strokes and the White Stripes last year, At the Drive-In were one of the hyped bands in the fall of 2000. They'd just released their major label debut, Relationship Of Command. Emo-punk, some called it, and for me it still stands out as one of the best records of the new millenium. But good things never last forever, and in March 2001, At the Drive-In fell apart; the hype killed the band.

Cedric Bixler and Omar Rodriquez, the afro-headed members of the band, formed a new band under the name Mars Volta, and this year they released a promising debut EP called The Tremulant. Later this year they will release their full album debut.

Jim Ward, Paul Hinojos, and Tony Hajjar, the three remaining ATDI members, recruited Matt Miller on bass, and Sparta was born. After releasing the Austere EP, they have now released their debut album.

Starting with Cut Your Ribbon, it is clear from the first few seconds that Sparta goes on where At the Drive-In stopped. With a Fugazi-like intro that transforms into an ATDI cover, this song sets the scene for the rest of the album. With screaming guitars and emotions flying everywhere, there is also a place for some quiet parts. Jim Ward sings, screams, and yells like his life depends on it. Produced by Jerry Finn, known for his work with Green Day, Sum 41, and Blink 182, this is an album which is built on the Fugazi/ATDI sound, but Sparta give it their own twist, with some hidden string parts, and strong melodies that Blink 182 would die for. Not as groundbreaking and original as their previous band, this is still a great record, though not perfect, with Cataract being a ripoff of the ATDI song Invalid Litter Dept, Echodyne Harmonic being a song that only comes to life in the last minute, and the album sounding sometimes too much like it's Green Day with Ian MacKay (Fugazi) on vocals. But all this is forgotten when you hear the last song on the album, Assemble The Empire. Starting with guitar parts that build to the chorus, this is a song that makes your hair stand up straight.

If you want freaked-out music with originality, I'm afraid you'll have to wait until Mars Volta release their record. If you just want a great punk rock album, then Wiretap Scars is one recommendation.

http://www.kindamuzik.net/recensie/sparta/wiretap-scars/1847/
Meer Sparta op KindaMuzik: http://www.kindamuzik.net/artiest/sparta