Album: Porcelain by Sparta (2004)
Genre: Alternative Rock | Style: Rock/Pop
Record Label: Dine Alone Records
Format: Album

Description: Porcelain is the second album by the band Sparta. It was released on July 13, 2004 on Geffen Records and peaked at #60 on the Billboard 200. The first single released from the album was "Breaking the Broken".

Artist Background: Sparta is an American band from El Paso, Texas, formed in 2001. Founding members Jim Ward (vocalist/guitarist) and Tony Hajjar (drummer) are also members of post-hardcore group At the Drive-In. Keeley Davis (guitarist) is the former frontman of Engine Down. Part of the El Paso, Texas music scene. Emerged in the 2000s era. Associated with Post-Hardcore movement. Known for Rock/Pop style.

Music Scene: Part of the El Paso, Texas music scene. Emerged in the 2000s era. Associated with Post-Hardcore movement. Known for Rock/Pop style.

Tags: Alternative Rock, Rock/Pop, 2000s, Album, Dine Alone Records

Additional Context: Rating score: 7. Based on 2 votes. Available on Discogs marketplace


Porcelain is the second album by the band Sparta. It was released on July 13, 2004 on Geffen Records and peaked at #60 on the Billboard 200. The first single released from the album was "Breaking the Broken".

Album: Wiretap Scars by Sparta (2002)
Genre: Alternative Rock | Style: Rock/Pop
Record Label: Dine Alone Records
Format: Album

Description: Wiretap Scars is an album by Sparta, released on August 13, 2002 on DreamWorks Records and peaked at #71 on the Billboard 200. Only months separated this release from their debut EP Austere. The album is greatly influenced by the music of At the Drive-In, with whom most of Sparta's members originally played before their split in 2001.

The vocals and track naming in particular reflect At the Drive-In's Relationship of Command, the last album made by the group. This is in contrast to the music of The Mars Volta, formed by two other members of ATDI (Omar and Cedric), which departs entirely from the post-hardcore genre.

Artist Background: Sparta is an American band from El Paso, Texas, formed in 2001. Founding members Jim Ward (vocalist/guitarist) and Tony Hajjar (drummer) are also members of post-hardcore group At the Drive-In. Keeley Davis (guitarist) is the former frontman of Engine Down. Part of the El Paso, Texas music scene. Emerged in the 2000s era. Associated with Post-Hardcore movement. Known for Rock/Pop style.

Music Scene: Part of the El Paso, Texas music scene. Emerged in the 2000s era. Associated with Post-Hardcore movement. Known for Rock/Pop style.

Tags: Alternative Rock, Rock/Pop, 2000s, Album, Dine Alone Records

Additional Context: Rating score: 8. Based on 2 votes. Available on Discogs marketplace


Wiretap Scars is an album by Sparta, released on August 13, 2002 on DreamWorks Records and peaked at #71 on the Billboard 200. Only months separated this release from their debut EP Austere. The album is greatly influenced by the music of At the Drive-In, with whom most of Sparta's members originally played before their split in 2001.

The vocals and track naming in particular reflect At the Drive-In's Relationship of Command, the last album made by the group. This is in contrast to the music of The Mars Volta, formed by two other members of ATDI (Omar and Cedric), which departs entirely from the post-hardcore genre.

Album: Threes by Sparta (2006)
Genre: Alternatvie Rock | Style: Rock/Pop
Record Label: Dine Alone Records
Format: Album

Description: Threes is the third studio album by Sparta, released on October 24, 2006 and peaked at #83 on the Billboard 200. It is their first album with new guitarist Keeley Davis, previously of Engine Down and Denali. Several new tracks, including the single "Taking Back Control" are available for streaming on the band's MySpace page. 

The album was made available for streaming several days before its release on the band's MySpace site. A leaked copy of the album surfaced on the internet as well during early October 2006. Initial reviews were mixed, ranging from average to excellent (see reviews section). The album is generally considered to be darker and more complex than previous offerings, differing greatly from previous material in some places with callbacks in others.

Jim Ward explains the meaning of Threes. "Threes is a reference to the number 3 being important in my life. A lot of intersections happen involving that number, this record was a big changing point for me. The artwork is left to be interpreted by the viewer, you get a lot of interesting ideas form [sic] folks, I like it."

On April 9, 2008 an official blog was posted on Sparta's Myspace page announcing the release of Threes on double vinyl after being in development for some time. It is limited to 1,000 copies with 3 different colors, and features a completely different tracklisting, including the bonus tracks split up amongst various versions of the CD release. 200 copies on peach vinyl with black splatter, 300 copies on white vinyl, 500 copies on black vinyl with peach splatter. Orders can be placed through Vinyl Collective, the company distributing the double LP, and are expected to ship April 19, 2008.

Artist Background: Sparta is an American band from El Paso, Texas, formed in 2001. Founding members Jim Ward (vocalist/guitarist) and Tony Hajjar (drummer) are also members of post-hardcore group At the Drive-In. Keeley Davis (guitarist) is the former frontman of Engine Down. Part of the El Paso, Texas music scene. Emerged in the 2000s era. Associated with Post-Hardcore movement. Known for Rock/Pop style.

Music Scene: Part of the El Paso, Texas music scene. Emerged in the 2000s era. Associated with Post-Hardcore movement. Known for Rock/Pop style.

Tags: Alternatvie Rock, Rock/Pop, 2000s, Album, Dine Alone Records

Additional Context: Rating score: 7. Based on 2 votes. Available on Discogs marketplace


Threes is the third studio album by Sparta, released on October 24, 2006 and peaked at #83 on the Billboard 200. It is their first album with new guitarist Keeley Davis, previously of Engine Down and Denali. Several new tracks, including the single "Taking Back Control" are available for streaming on the band's MySpace page. 

The album was made available for streaming several days before its release on the band's MySpace site. A leaked copy of the album surfaced on the internet as well during early October 2006. Initial reviews were mixed, ranging from average to excellent (see reviews section). The album is generally considered to be darker and more complex than previous offerings, differing greatly from previous material in some places with callbacks in others.

Jim Ward explains the meaning of Threes. "Threes is a reference to the number 3 being important in my life. A lot of intersections happen involving that number, this record was a big changing point for me. The artwork is left to be interpreted by the viewer, you get a lot of interesting ideas form [sic] folks, I like it."

On April 9, 2008 an official blog was posted on Sparta's Myspace page announcing the release of Threes on double vinyl after being in development for some time. It is limited to 1,000 copies with 3 different colors, and features a completely different tracklisting, including the bonus tracks split up amongst various versions of the CD release. 200 copies on peach vinyl with black splatter, 300 copies on white vinyl, 500 copies on black vinyl with peach splatter. Orders can be placed through Vinyl Collective, the company distributing the double LP, and are expected to ship April 19, 2008.

"Trust the River" showcases Sparta's signature blend of post-hardcore and alternative rock, characterized by dynamic instrumentation and layered textures. The album features a mix of driving rhythms and atmospheric soundscapes, with tracks like "Class Blue" and "Turquoise Dream" delivering a balance of urgency and introspection. The production is polished yet retains a raw edge, allowing the guitar work to shine through with both melodic and dissonant elements. Songs such as "Spirit Away" and "Miracle" highlight a range of tempos, from contemplative to anthemic, while the emotional weight of tracks like "Empty Houses" and "No One Can Be Nowhere" adds depth. Overall, the album's sonic landscape is rich and immersive, making it a distinctive entry in the genre.

Album: Trust the River by Sparta (2020)
Record Label: Dine Alone Records
Format: Album

Artist Background: Sparta is an American band from El Paso, Texas, formed in 2001. Founding members Jim Ward (vocalist/guitarist) and Tony Hajjar (drummer) are also members of post-hardcore group At the Drive-In. Keeley Davis (guitarist) is the former frontman of Engine Down. Part of the El Paso, Texas music scene. Emerged in the 2000s era. Associated with Post-Hardcore movement. Known for Rock/Pop style.

Music Scene: Part of the El Paso, Texas music scene. Emerged in the 2000s era. Associated with Post-Hardcore movement. Known for Rock/Pop style.

Tags: 2020s, Album, Dine Alone Records


"Sparta" (2022) showcases a dynamic blend of post-hardcore and alternative rock, characterized by its layered instrumentation and atmospheric production. The album features driving guitar riffs and intricate drum patterns that create a sense of urgency, particularly in tracks like "Kill the Man, Eat the Man" and "Mind Over Matter." The tempo varies, with some tracks like "Hello Rabbit" offering a more contemplative pace, while others, such as "Dark Red Quicksand," ramp up the energy with intense crescendos. Texturally, the album balances gritty, raw sounds with polished elements, allowing for a rich sonic landscape. The emotional depth in the lyrical content is matched by the sonic intensity, making it a distinctive entry in their discography.

Album: Sparta by Sparta (2022)
Format: Album

Artist Background: Sparta is an American band from El Paso, Texas, formed in 2001. Founding members Jim Ward (vocalist/guitarist) and Tony Hajjar (drummer) are also members of post-hardcore group At the Drive-In. Keeley Davis (guitarist) is the former frontman of Engine Down. Part of the El Paso, Texas music scene. Emerged in the 2000s era. Associated with Post-Hardcore movement. Known for Rock/Pop style.

Music Scene: Part of the El Paso, Texas music scene. Emerged in the 2000s era. Associated with Post-Hardcore movement. Known for Rock/Pop style.

Tags: 2020s, Album


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