Wiretap Scars

Sparta frontman Jim Ward screams, "How can you sleep at night?" on the punk juggernaut "Cut Your Ribbon," the first single from the band's debut full-length, "Wiretap Scars." From the beginning, Sparta sets things up to be raw and confrontational. An emo band without the whining, Sparta would rather sucker-punch you in the jaw with thought-provoking lyrics. "Air" and "Sans Cosm" are spirals of emotion with intense guitar riffs and Ward's curdling vocal growl. "Collapse" and "Rx Coup" are more melodic, but don't expect to find any candied punk edges. "Wiretap Scars" illustrates Sparta's ambition to move beyond their former band, At the Drive-In, as well as the band members' attempt to steer clear of mainstream emocore. Paul Hinojos (guitar), Tony Hajjar (drums), and Matt Miller (bass) are a solid backing section, but the power of Ward's voice overrules Sparta's effort to sound distinctly different than At the Drive-In, (which featured Ward, Hinojos, and Hajjar as members).