Porcelain
by Sparta
  • Record Label: Geffen
  • Release Date: Jul 13, 2004
User Score
7.8

Generally favorable reviews- based on 18 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 14 out of 18
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 18
  3. Negative: 3 out of 18

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  1. benlol
    Mar 15, 2006
    10
    Awesome Album, people give them such bad reviews for odd reasons, either their songs are too basic for people or too eccentric, grow up.
  2. [Anonymous]
    Jan 12, 2005
    10
    Great Band
  3. stevec
    Dec 8, 2004
    10
    i cant get this out of my head, porcelain shows the softer side of lead singer matt miller, i feel this album tops wiretap scars because i feel miller was not on the same page as the electric pumped former members of ATDI, now with there personal styles combined, you have a complete sound that came out to be a masterpiece
  4. JeffB
    Jul 15, 2004
    9
    Ive been a Sparta fan for about 2 years, I now own both records and their EP and this is a great leap for their music. This CD has a more definate rock feel to an emo feel like Wiretap Scars, and it was a great move. Its a powerful performance on this being they're sophmore effort. It seems that alot of bands try too hard to "re-invent" themselves and they get lost somewhere in Ive been a Sparta fan for about 2 years, I now own both records and their EP and this is a great leap for their music. This CD has a more definate rock feel to an emo feel like Wiretap Scars, and it was a great move. Its a powerful performance on this being they're sophmore effort. It seems that alot of bands try too hard to "re-invent" themselves and they get lost somewhere in there, Sparta has done a great job at not getting lost. Just great music, and at almost an hourlong, it makes it all the better. I rate this a 9.… Expand
  5. RobR
    Jul 16, 2004
    8
    While it may not measure up to their first album "Wiretap Scars", it's a beautifully melodic album that combines Fugazi with RadioHead. They remain the better half of the split up of the band At the Drive in.
  6. RambeztD
    Jul 27, 2004
    7
    C'mon guys, lets be serious here. I've been a fan since before Wiretap came out (since summer '02), but I can't wrap myself around this as much as Deloused in the Comatorium. Don't let your bias influence the rating you give this album. While not horrible, this album is only OK. Songs 1, 2, 3, and 5 are the only songs I can stomach after a full listen of the C'mon guys, lets be serious here. I've been a fan since before Wiretap came out (since summer '02), but I can't wrap myself around this as much as Deloused in the Comatorium. Don't let your bias influence the rating you give this album. While not horrible, this album is only OK. Songs 1, 2, 3, and 5 are the only songs I can stomach after a full listen of the album. Wiretap Scars was far better, and the Mars Volta's EP and DitC are both far better than Wiretap.… Expand
  7. RobertA
    Jul 29, 2004
    8
    enjoyable music. this cd is a tiny bit better then their first cd. marz volta and sparta keep releasing good music. at the drive in's relationship of demand is still my favorite cd out of these guys. cool to see how 2 different bands formed from 1 big band. it just gives me more music to listen to. although at the drive in rocked, sparta and the marz volta are getting far in and out enjoyable music. this cd is a tiny bit better then their first cd. marz volta and sparta keep releasing good music. at the drive in's relationship of demand is still my favorite cd out of these guys. cool to see how 2 different bands formed from 1 big band. it just gives me more music to listen to. although at the drive in rocked, sparta and the marz volta are getting far in and out of their music. 2 different styles coming from one massive style equals= style that increases to get better, but this time, 2 different styles. Porcelain is up in the air, more then wiretap scars was in the telephone wires.… Expand

Critic Reviews

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Metascore
62

Generally favorable reviews - based on 19 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 8 out of 19
  2. Mixed: 11 out of 19
  3. Negative: 0 out of 19
  1. Neumu.net
    80
    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.
    Read full review
  2. Splendid
    50
    Sparta seem a bit too retro-focused for their own good.
    Read full review
  3. Q Magazine
    40
    For the most part, this band still sounds grounded by an emo rulebook long since torn up. [Sep 2004, p.123]
See all critic reviews »