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21 of 23 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
A solid sophmore album, September 29, 2004
After the split up of At The Drive In several years back many wondered if either of it's two post bands (The Mars Volta, Sparta) would be able to garner enough talent individually to be even worth listening to. While Mars Volta took the more experimental and much less traveled road, Sparta stuck to a more straight foward rock formula with hints of At The Drive In sprinkled throughout.
Their debut album "Wiretap Scars" was good, while not phenomal, definetly a worthy enough showing to solidify a fanbase. My one complaint with that album however was it didn't feel like an album, it felt like a collection of singles and less like a complete experience.
"Porcealin" is a much different story.
As soon as you hear the opening track "Guns of Memorial Park" you can tell the band has grown up and evolved. Each tracks seems to follow the next in perfect form, with the ocassional ambience between tracks that is tastefully placed and not overdone. If you've been a fan of Sparta since the release of their first album then you'll be plenty pleased with this one, that isn't to say however it wont take a few listens.
The first thing that struck me after two or three listens was the shedding of the reminiscent At The Drive In sound. While one can't deny the band hasn't lost touch with its former sound, the step foward from it cannot be denied either.
If you thought "Wiretap Scars" was lacking, "Porcealin" may be just what you're looking for. I can only see the band evolving even more as time goes on, and if you haven't given Sparta a chance yet, don't miss out.
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10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Sophistication rears its head, July 13, 2004
After a good, solid, restrained debut and a sort of fuzzy EP (which came earlier, and was re-worked for said debut album), Sparta has returned with a more cohesive sort of album, as opposed to what I choose to term a "collection of songs."
This is not to say there is a thing wrong with "collection of songs" albums, but they aren't as interesting as a WHOLE work (better take in as the parts that make up the whole).
But that's the last album.
Porcelain has increased instrumentation, with a few short instrumental tracks interspersed between songs that are as strong as ever otherwise. I must stress that these tracks are added TASTEFULLY; it does not feel as if it came across as "Hey, let's do some instrumental stuff for 'artistic' credibility." They are appropriate, and "Syncope" is, for certain, beautiful. The lead-off song (heard on their website), "Breaking the Broken," oddly does not feel as if it should be the stand-alone light to guide the unfamiliar toward the album. I would have chosen "La Cerca" for its strong, and quite catchy, chorus.
Still. Quibbles on marketing decisions aren't terribly relevant to the album's quality, are they?
The title is an appropriate one (though I fear the prejudicial cynics may find it appropriate for wholly immature reasons) in that the sounds of the record (including an interesting sort of harmonic sound to "While Oceana Sleeps" and some very, very subdued strings) are very smooth and calm, and very...well, "swirling" is the word that comes to mind. The rhythm section is tight as usual, especially Tony's drumming, but the songs swirl nonetheless, even if it is very restrained and planned swirling. Reminiscent (very faintly) of the sort of atmosphere of My Bloody Valentine's Loveless in a way.By far the biggest surprise from a band known for tight and 'simple' rock (in the sense of containing distinct choruses much of the time) is the nearly 9 minute "From Now to Never." It's not a repetition of the same idea for 9 minutes by any stretch, as it mutates into various different ideas, including some fairly instrumental stretches, with mere whisps of Jim's vocals in the background. The mutations are very natural and flow well though, and so it works very well for a group from which nothing of the like has previously been heard. Highly reccommended.
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9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
from the ashes of At the Drive-In, October 24, 2004
Porcelain is an amsome album. Personally i feel like Wiretap Scars is more "Sparta" than Porcelain, but that is just my opinion. There is less screaming in this album and more singing. I feel as if the lyrics dropped down a notch also though from Wiretap Scars. Though, i completely understand now after reading many reviews and interviews with Sparta, that the band felt Jim needed to live up to his job as the singer/songwriter and write the lyrics, and he wrote about his life, and what he wanted and felt, and the lyrics arnt about how we are, even though i can connect with Jims lyrics, but are about his emotions.
The stand out songs on this album for me are While Oceana Sleeps, La Cerca, End Moraine, Tensioning, From Now to Never and Splinters. Even more than Wiretap Scars, this album can paint pictures in your head.
3. While Oceana Sleeps - this song starts out with a little guitar thing that carries on through the song. this song along with Lines in Sand give me strong pictures of being on the beach. i really like that. The powerful ending and lyrics "these tides sweep us out of reach" and each guitar riff reminds me of a wave
4. La Cerca - probably the most catchy song on the album. its always in my head, especially the chorus , which i really connect with..."i was raised in a certain way, and i think ive let you down" its awsome
7. End Moraine - this song is awsome. it seems like Jim is giving a verbal attack at something or someone. im not sure though. the bass is awsome , the guitars are awsome, and the drums and the vocals...it might be my favorite.also really try and listen to the drums in this song especially. you will realize how good a drummer tony is.
10. Tensioing - slower type of song, but one of the most moving ive ever heard. its awsome, and you will love it. a must hear off this album.
13. From Now to Never - amazing song..runs about 8 and a half minutes. the first half is real good with different guitar parts that will never bore you and has your ears listening and intertwined with them. the second half goes into a slow, moledic, beatiful piano, soft singing song. it is absolutely amazing. it gives me chills along with some of my other favorite sparta songs. no other band has ever done that to me.
14. Splinters - an awsome song. good guitar work done by jim and paul, strong vocals.....great ender.
In conclusion this album is really good. and is also a must have. nothing else better these days. although in my opinion Wiretap is personnaly better, i can tell Sparta has grown as a band and will keep on getting better.
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~ Sparta
~ At the Drive-In
~ At the Drive-In
~ At the Drive-In
~ The Mars Volta
by Sparta 
