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Wiretap Scars Image
Metascore
69

Generally favorable reviews - based on 14 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
8.6

Universal acclaim- based on 22 Ratings

  • Summary: This is the debut LP from the Texas band, which features three former members of At The Drive-In (including guitarist Jim Ward).
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 9 out of 14
  2. Negative: 0 out of 14
  1. The anthemic cries for getting your crap in order are flavored with dashes of sonic experimentation and the knowledge of when to slow things down.
  2. While the band's sound isn't exactly the most original noise out there, they deliver with such impassioned conviction that you'll be more than willing to forget a few "sound alike" misgivings.
  3. They put together nearly perfectly produced and arranged songs, tight and precise yet still urgent and fast.
  4. Sparta has made a smartly produced, superficially exciting record full of deafening electric hum, full-throated shouts, and quiet, intricately picked guitar breaks.
  5. Entertainment Weekly
    67
    Vacillates between supersoft verses and garishly loud hooks, undermining their attempts at lyrical nuance. [6 Sep 2002, p.86]
  6. Blender
    60
    It's in the quieter moments that Sparta truly shine. [#9, p.154]
  7. Far too often, 'Wiretap Scars' feels limp, lifeless, bereft of dynamics.

See all 14 Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 12 out of 13
  2. Negative: 0 out of 13
  1. zachl
    Aug 31, 2005
    10
    complete from start to finish and hitting highs and lows along the way. interesting lyrics let you crave for another listen. a great multiple complete from start to finish and hitting highs and lows along the way. interesting lyrics let you crave for another listen. a great multiple listen album that brings you the whole package. Expand
  2. BenA
    Jan 1, 2004
    10
    best cd ive bought in a long time
  3. MarkP
    Mar 28, 2005
    10
    My absolute favourite album
  4. MarcP.
    Aug 23, 2002
    9
    this is a very good alt. rock album, and surprisingly catchy. looks like jim, tony and paul are talented enough to make great music on their own.
  5. TonyL.
    Oct 7, 2002
    9
    Good CD, but it is a repeat of ATDI. I guess if it worked the first time why not try it again. Anyways, the CD is great. Just keep an eye-out Good CD, but it is a repeat of ATDI. I guess if it worked the first time why not try it again. Anyways, the CD is great. Just keep an eye-out for Mars Volta. Expand
  6. ErnieS.
    Sep 16, 2002
    9
    This album got way underrated by the critics. I haven't heard any rock on the radio this fresh this year, and the reviews seem to This album got way underrated by the critics. I haven't heard any rock on the radio this fresh this year, and the reviews seem to undercut it. It's sad. I'm a big ATDI fan, but Sparta seemed to perfect a number of nuances in the ATDI formula, which really makes this album all the better. Expand
  7. TylerB.
    Sep 19, 2002
    6
    it's fine music, but nothing really groundbreaking. i actually liked austere more

See all 13 User Reviews