The Austere EP. This was the first sign of life by the follow up band of At the Drive-In, gathered around Jim Ward. It featured four songs, of which three re-occured on the debut LP "Wiretap Scars" (all apart from 'Vacant Skies'). Most people will think now: "Why should I go and try to find this one? I have Wiretap Scars, so I only get one new song". That's right in a way. But only in a way.
Just a quick note: I decided to go Track by track here, as this thing only has 4 tracks in it. I usually don't write 'em, so don't bash me too bad if it sucks ;) Plus, I will compare this a lot to the later versions on 'Wiretap Scars'. I think it's ok, as this is a really hard to get (at least it was for me) and most people will know Sparta from Wiretap Scars or Porcelaine anyways. On with it!
It took me quite some time to find this one. On first glance I was a bit disapointed. I hoped it would feature more 'unknown' songs. Still, it's a nice listen. The version of
"Mye" is a bit rougher IMO, and has some nice little twists added compared to the later album version. Different singing by Jim, fancier guitar line here and there. This starts with the different guitar sound and more dominant bass on the intro/verse sections. The guitar on the first chorus sounds a bit more indie like so to say, and in the background there are guitar parts to spice it up. The verses seem shorter, the song faster. Nice.
Next song is
"Cataract". Very different sound, almost a bit muffled. This get's clearest when the vocals kick in. They sound a bit tin-like at first, rather normal on the chorus though. Speaking of the chorus, on 'Wiretap Scars' it was screamed, but here it's sung normal. If you heard the latter version before this, you'll miss a certain drive to it. Still the variations regarding the singing are (again) a nice alternative to the album version. Musically the song is basically the same though, not much difference here. Only the outro is altered.
"Vacant Skies" is the only 'new' song so to say. It starts with some kind of sound effect and drums, guitar picking over that. After about 20 seconds the song kicks in with full instrumentation. The feel is quite happy IMO, with a nice flow. Without any halt or bridge the verses go over into the chorus, which features the typical half screamed vocals by Jim, and some more or less strange guitar noises for Sparta after the first one. A small bridge welcomes us after the second chorus, again without any real transition between chorus and bridge. Main focus here is clearly the guitar, no vocals present here. It's not soloing, in the sense of a metal head, but plays a nice guitar lead. Nothing complicated, but nice anyways. After a short muted part the song builds up more speed for a screamed interlude, which goes over into the chorus again. These transitions between the different parts without any bridge or anything like that, IMO they are the most interesting thing about the song. A song at medium pace, more or less with a happy touch. It would fit fine on 'Wiretap Scars'
I said 'Vacant Skies' is the only new song. Well, that's not completely true. Though
"Ecodyne Harmonic" is on Wiretap Scars as well, this is a complete remix of it. Very different. VERY. On Wiretap Scars it was basically a Sparta Song with piano in it. Here it is some kind of Electronica song, with Sparta in it. Somewhere. The song starts out with static and some tones by an organ. The drums kick in, and sound very drum-machine like. Almost no guitar present here, strange electronic noises every now and then. The guitar and the organ never play at the same time, it's either the organ playing a melody (which resembles the more 'friendly' parts of the song), the guitar plays just single notes, accompanied by the constant drums and electronic noises. Jim can be heard here and there in the background. He sings what is in the later album version the background of a bridge section towards the end of the song. A bit eerie. And if you're in it for what Sparta became later, this might not be your cup of tea. Still, an interesting listen now and then.
Summary:
Is this EP good? For an EP, I think so. Is it worth a lot of money then? Uh, no. This is more something for someone interested in Sparta, just to check out what they were before Wiretap and how they started. It's interesting to see what they changed in the songs that reappeared on the album, as well as checking out the new song(s).
I doubt though that this will interest anybody not regulary listening to Sparta anyways. This won't convince someone that Sparta is worth listening to when they already now their latter works. This is a thing for the dedicated Sparta friend, all others most likely will be bored by it.
Final rating: 3/5
