 | Tracklist:
1.Cut Your Ribbon
2.Air
3.MYE
4.Collapse
5.Sans Cosm
6.Light Burns Clear
7.Cataract
8.Red Alibi
9.RX Coup
10.Glasshouse Tarot
11.Echodyne Harmonic
12.Assemble The Empire
| Ranking: #110 for 2002 | |
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On 14 Lists
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This is the first full lenghth CD that Sparta released, and some say it's the better one of the two (compared to the latest CD 'Porcelain'). I would not say it's better, but... different. If one likes one album better, is in the end just a matter of personal taste and preference.
Some general impressions:
So, what's this 'difference' then? Well, 'Wiretap Scars' has an overall different feel and mood compared to 'Porcelain'. Where the latter seems much more melancholic and in parts ambient, quite some songs on 'Wiretap Scars' have a much more rougher feeling and musical build up. But also the slower and more quiet songs differ, as more instruments are used. Like cello-like strings on 'Collapse' for example, or the elctronic like intro to 'Cataract'. On the instrumental side, the bass and drumms set a great base for the rest to build upon. The bass is nothing really special though, but I think the drumming is really great. Vocals are quite rough here and there, and if you know 'At the Drive-In', it will be quite familiar. After all Jim Ward did backing vocals in ATD-I, so if you liked it there, you will like it here. But he does not only scream but also softer or spoken vocals. Though I must say the spoken vocals do not fit on every spot IMO. The guitar is good, and sets quite some good accents with the lead parts.
This is musically speaking great work IMO, and highly underrated by the critics (who bashed this album pretty bad).
What was good:
The quiet/rough aspect of the songs is really great. Songs like "Cataract" have a quite feel on the verse, but kinda explode musically on the Chorus. That is bound to draw attention. I like the use of different instrumentation as well. some light strings or electronic sounds here and there. And in a certain way, this album has a good flow. It does not seem too long or short while listening to it. It seems just right. :thumb:
What was bad:
Well, not much I could say as con. Like I said, I think it is highly underrated by the critics. Still it leaves room to get better. Jim Ward could use his voice better to create a different and better atmosphere (like he does in parts on the follow up album 'Porcelaine'). I could not think of anything more right now
Summary:
This is a great album by a great band. Definately one of the better Indie/Post-Hardcore bands out there. The production is good, the overall feel of the album as well. If you liked ATD-I, I guess you will have kind of easy access to this one, though it is much more mellow than most stuff by ATD-I.
But don't ask me here what of the Sparta albums to get, they are both good stuff, and only divided by personal preference.
Final rating: 4/5
Recommended songs:
Cataract, Air, Sans Cosm, Collapse
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| Recent reviews by this author | | | |
good review damrod, never really got into Sparta. But I guess I'll have to now :thumb:This Message Edited On 06.30.05
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good review
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I listened to this album quite a while ago, and I'm having trouble remembering it clearly, but if I recall, it was a bit too mellow for my tastes. Though I completely fell in LOVE with Sans Cosm. Well written review though.
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this is better than their new one. lots of great songs on this bad boy.
i still think The Mars Volta are the better of the two tho.
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Is the rest of the album anything like "Cut your Ribbon?" Because that song made me hate Jim Ward.
| | | Album Rating: 4
[Quote=Riley12988]Is the rest of the album anything like "Cut your Ribbon?" Because that song made me hate Jim Ward.[/Quote]
Not really. 'Cut your Ribbon' is a really bad representation of the album. If you want to get a realistic impression of how the album is, you should check out songs like "Cataract", "Assemble the Empire", "Air" or "Sans Cosm". Compared to the rest of the album, 'Cut ypur Ribbon' is a bad exception one could say.
Digging: A Wilhelm Scream - A Wilhelm Scream | | |
I've heard the other album, and I can't say that I liked it much.
| | | Album Rating: 5
porcelain takes a few listens to realise how great it is. i bought it bunged it in my CD player and was a lil disapointed but now i
| | | Album Rating: 4.5
Every song on this album is good. Tons of catchy melodies. I don't know what the guy meant when he said that Cut Your Ribbon made him hate Jim Ward. That's one of my favorite songs ever.
The only problem with the album is that some songs take awhile to get going, but once they do, it's pure awesome.
| | | Album Rating: 4.5
This album has a very awesome layout, and delivers a pure powerful force to your ears. Buy this album if you are an Atd-I fan.
Jim Ward has never sounded better!
| | | Album Rating: 4
Looks like its time for me to review this album since the two that are up here are fairly weak. This one is better than the other, but it needs more substance.
I love this CD. IMO, it's better than anything The Mars Volta have done post-Deloused.
Digging: Garage a Trois - Power Patriot | | | Album Rating: 4.5
Sparta are great but i never seem to listen to them much. I'm seeing Jim Ward live in the next few days which should be cool, he's playing some acoustic Sparta as well as his solo stuff.
Digging: The Shizit - The Shizit | | | Album Rating: 4
This is really good. I haven't listened to AtDI in a while, so this is a nice treat until I manage to buy Relationship of Command.
I'm starting to love Ward's vocals.
| | | Album Rating: 4.5
One of my favorite albums.
Digging: The Mars Volta - Frances the Mute | | | Album Rating: 4
I like Cut Your Ribbon..
Digging: Bon Iver - For Emma, Forever Ago | | |
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