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September 19-25, 2002 musicpicks Sparta
Anyone still sobbing over the hasty "hiatus" of supposed rock 'n' roll saviors At the Drive-In can replace their tissue boxes with a spittle cup for the saliva sure to drip over Sparta's Wiretap Scars (DreamWorks). The Texan quartet is ATDI without the homicidal intensity and MC5 afros (bye-bye, Cedric and Omar, enjoy playing catch up with Mars Volta). Add a keen sense of melody, layers of strings and keyboards and post-punk leanings to the volatile equation and Sparta is everything ATDI wasn't. Vocalist/guitarist and former ATDI riff grinder Jim Ward sets the scene over the exploding chorus of "Mye." "This time I'll get it right/ You can't defend it/ It's predetermined," he proclaims to any detractors. No need to defend anything. The music stands on its own. Some songs get angry and angular like old-fashioned ATDI, such as the caustic opener "Cut Your Ribbon" and "Sans Cosm." But like acknowledged inspiration Fugazi, Sparta knows when to restrain its anger and when to punctuate the evolutionary musical landscape with scathing screams. As a cello whines incessantly, the solid "Collapse" slowly builds over Ward's focused singing and a swaying backbeat. On "Cataract," light drum machine patterns toy with whirling guitars and a shifting tempo. Suddenly, an ATDI reunion doesn't seem so important anymore. Mon., Sept. 23, 8 p.m., $12-$14, with Cave In and Small Brown Bike, The TLA, 334 South St., 215-336-2000.  -- Respond to this article in our Forums -- click to jump there
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