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There's just no getting around how much stronger Sparta are than so many of their peers.
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There's enough melody and structure to keep one engaged.
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Entertainment WeeklyIt's a much fuller record--more personal, cohesive, and daring. [13 Aug 2004, p.87]
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This is intense, serious music for serious times, and writing off Sparta as the "other," less interesting half of their previous group would be a major mistake.
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In the end, Porcelain pulls off a rare feat: able to appeal to hardcore/emo lovers as well as fans of good, old-fashioned guitar rock.
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Alternative PressIf you've been moved by Sparta before... you're going to have the same reaction once the roiling "Guns Of Memorial Park" opens this album. [Jul 2004, p.127]
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Doesn't extend the sound of the band's debut so much as inflate it.
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FilterLike scarfing down a meal at Sizzler: your stomach is stuffed, but, in the end, your taste buds are left itching for more flavor. [#11, p.95]
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BlenderA couple of great amped-up stormers... and a lot of nearly identical songs. [Jun/Jul 2004, p.145]
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For every standout track on the record there is another song where Sparta takes a step back to assess the situation and falters a little bit.
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Sparta seem a bit too retro-focused for their own good.
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Porcelain neither builds on the promise of Wiretap Scars nor cashes in on the band's gifted heritage.
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While Mars Volta distinguished its high-volume concept and freak-out-the-neighbors formula with its apocalyptic wails and catastrophic soundscapes, Sparta has developed a middle-of-the-road rock entity, seldom swaying away from its new and unimproved sound structure.
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Porcelain's aggressively hopeful, generic alt-rock anthems just aren't very interesting.
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Q MagazineFor the most part, this band still sounds grounded by an emo rulebook long since torn up. [Sep 2004, p.123]
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Sparta earn points for thinking big and penning deeply-felt songs that break the five-minute mark, but ambition alone isn't enough.
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Rolling StoneRote emo-core, all predictable quiet-loud shifts and overwrought vocal melodies. [5 Aug 2004, p.108]
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Porcelain's angry opener "Guns of Memorial Park" sets the stage for a shoot-out, but as soon as "Hiss the Villain" bears its teeth, it's clear the fire has left Ward's belly.
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New Musical Express (NME)Ultimately 'Porcelain' proves that there's more to great bands than good musicianship. [10 Jul 2004, p.49]
User score distribution:
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Positive: 14 out of 18
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Mixed: 1 out of 18
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Negative: 3 out of 18
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benlolMar 15, 2006Awesome Album, people give them such bad reviews for odd reasons, either their songs are too basic for people or too eccentric, grow up.
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ChrisFeb 25, 2005these guys are nothing without Cederic and Omar. Wiretap scars was ok, but when hearing this albumn it is clear that their music making days are over
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[Anonymous]Jan 12, 2005Great Band