Sparta’s EP Austere is very instrumental, artsy, and melodic. The songs are very emotional, but not “emo.”
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Sparta/Austere
The first song, “Cut That City,” starts out with two minutes of rhythmic thumping that should have been an introductory track all to itself. The rest of the song is upbeat and somewhat chaotic. Scrapes and scratches recorded over the vocals during certain parts emphasize that chaotic feeling.
Sometimes the songs go off on a tangent, for example in “Concertina,” Cedrix starts singing in Spanish, while sounding as if he has started to sing another song just for the heck of it. In “Eunuch Provovateur,” there are creepy inaudible mutterings, while echoing drums play in the background.
Sparta’s EP Austere is very instrumental, artsy, and melodic. The songs are very emotional, but not “emo.” Even though the songs are slightly softer than The Mars Volta’s songs, the songs are very strong and full sounding. Their five songs are less “friendlier” to the general public than The Mars Volta songs, because Sparta does not sacrifice the progressive sound. There is a definite electronica undertone.
“Mye” is the first song on the EP, and is also the heaviest. “Echodyne Harmonic” stands out with it’s almost techno-like instrumentals, and experimental sounds. “Cataract” stands out from the rest of the songs. The singing is very poetic in the soft parts, and then belted out with emotion at the louder parts.
Out of the two bands that were spawned by ATDI’s death, The Mars Volta is slightly ahead. There are no real flaws on these EPs, and the music is a perfect demonstration of what can be done musically, while still remaining a viable artistic force. Both bands are raising the bar for anyone seriously endeavoring to make “cutting edge” rock music. Someone who has an appreciation for experimental and progressive music will enjoy these EP’s, but the other people who don’t, might not see or appreciate the real art to this music.
Bleached Pink
See my companion piece of the two ATDI spawns for Sparta here
The Mars Volta/Tremulant and Sparta/Austere
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