What some musical intellectuals call "bad music" can be described by others in the scene as poetry in its purest sense. Musicians who write their own music and lyrics, which is becoming an increasingly scarce commodity in the music business, are true musicians. Sparta's lyrics can be intricate and profound, or they can be insanely simple; the point is that when Sparta puts music to original thought, the package becomes an illustrious example of art.

Sparta's Wiretap Scars embodies the intentions of their art. The lyrics provoke thought and seem as if they have been sharpened and then pointed directly at the listener. They show a lust for the beauty that is life, as the artist paints each word.

The Influences on the band are clear from the beginning, with musical styling from At the Drive In, the phoenix's ashes from which Sparta was born, becoming apparent from the first note. The punked-out-indie-rock sound that almost made At the Drive In the next big thing is the same sound that has been adopted and modified by Sparta.

The music itself is a delicate web of brooding harmonies and perfectly placed beats. Every note in every song serves the greater purpose of relaying the artists' ideas and intentions. Upon further inspection of Wiretap Scars, one can see the unfolding story that is painted a little more completely with each song. From track 1 to 12, it seems as if the lyrics deconstruct accepted views of normality, and then gradually build up the lyricists' concept of the world. The lyrics that make no sense upon the first read end up being the perfect choice when read in the context of the entire song.

If you have yet to purchase Sparta's Wiretap Scars, it should be moved high atop your to-do list for the week. If Sparta's latest effort has already made an indelible mark in your CD player, why not stuff your friend's stocking this Christmas with pure listening pleasure.

Jeff Petermann
www.buzzgrinder.com