Note: This is the third album from the band featuring ex-At the Drive-In members Jim Ward and Tony Hajjar. It’s also the first Sparta album without ex-At the Drive-In member Paul Hinojos, who left in 2005 to join up with his old bandmates who formed The Mars Volta.
Sound: On 2004’s Porcelain, Sparta established themselves as a harder, more agitated cousin of U2 with their swirling guitar webs. On Threes, they move a step closer to the Irish legends by occasionally letting up on the tense aggression and allowing for some tender verses and uplifting choruses.
Vocals: Jim Ward’s coarse bark is often more refined, but his limited strength and range is a handicap as he enters more delicate, Bono-esque territory.
Heavy Rotation track: “Taking Back Control”
Medium Rotation track: “Crawl”; “Untreatable Disease”; “Erase It Again”
Explicit Lyrics*: none
Recommended: Sparta’s first two albums made my year-end Top 20 lists (Wiretap Scars: #11 of 2002 and Porcelain: #19 of 2004). The first half of Threes, though slightly predictable, matches the intensity of those albums. The second half drags as they dial down the tempo and dabble outside of their comfort zone.
Grade: B- (1st Half = A-; 2nd Half = C)

Buy CD/Listen to Tracks

* Noting of explicit lyrics is for the benefit of radio music directors or anyone else that needs/wants to keep their music FCC-friendly.