Thank Uncle Buck for the new Sparta??? Well, at least the album title and vibe of Cut A Silhouette according to Sparta mainman Jim Ward (Vocals/Guitar) who, in the press release ramp up to the band’s 6th LP, tells of a particular Macaulay Culkin quote in the recent I Like Me documentary covering the legendary life and career of comedian in which Culkin described meeting Candy like something entered your brain and “cut a silhouette” regarding the impression that the late actor left on him. With the album Cut A Silhouette, Ward wanted to do the same thing in relation to Sparta’s musical legacy and upon hearing this new opus we’re of the mind that he accomplished that goal tenfold.
Boasting a lineup that features Ward along with bassist Matt Miller and drummer Neil Hennessy and a bevy of co-contributors, Cut A Silhouette is almost like the “ultimate” Sparta record with J.Robbins (Jawbox, Burning Airlines, etc) at the boards and some heavy hitting writing mates as My Chemical Romance’s Frank Iero lends a pen to “Crater” and “Mouthbreather” while the one and only Kemble Walters who, despite the press release naming Juliette & The Licks and Chevelle on the resume, will ALWAYS be the voice of AEGES for us (Go listen to ALL of their stuff right here right now!) co-writes and plays on “See You Soon” along with Adrian Borgeois on piano. Robbins can also be found contributing to the instrumentation here with former Jawbox bandmate (And current War On Women guitarist) Brooks Harlan bulking up the sound as well.
So, like Uncle Buck, Cut A Silhouette is action-packed!
“Split Lip” to start off is urgent, like one of Pearl Jam’s more ferocious bangers (Think “Lukin” or “Spin The Black Circle”), with Ward sounding as vital as ever flowing into a glowing chorus. Did we say urgent? Well, we can’t mention that term without bringing up lead single “Crater” which is just career-defining Sparta here. If you were ever out of the Sparta loop then “Crater” is the one to call you back to the fold with a two and a half minute package of pure sonic bliss featuring wailing guitar lines, Ward’s signature howl and melodies and a solid rhythmic onslaught from Miller and Hennessy.
“Mouthbreather” expands the sound considerably on this one as guitars like warning sirens/alarms ring out and these Post-Punk bass lines and drums that’d fit in with modern Bloc Party or classic The Cure rumble on followed by some next level Sparta sounds across “Daydream”. “See You Soon” pumps the brakes ever so slightly on this twinkling, cerebral down home ditty that sort of sounds like closing time at your favorite hang out spot and then “Everything You Say” begins with syncopated beats, driving bass lines and spacious guitar lines as Ward’s smooth delivery leads to that howl once again on this instant classic within the Sparta discography.
“Without Your Hands” is a stirring new Sparta anthem, “Midnights” enlists another friend with Chicano Batman’s Carlos Arévalo adding guitar on the hopeful Alt-Rawk hymnal, and “Mystery Of Missing” could easily be mistaken for an Old School U2 jam if you didn’t know who you were listening to already. Ending with the layered textures of “Glimmer”, Sparta once again highlights their strong songwriting on a steady closing track that’s a slow build and every bit as nuanced as the rest of what’s filled up this wonderful sixth full-length.
Cut A Silhouette arrives on May 29th through Equal Vision Records/Dine Alone Records and you can secure your copy in a variety of ways by heading here or to the stream below. For more from Sparta, including where to catch them on their Fall tour which hits Medford’s Deep Cut on September 18th with support from Public Opinion (Advance tix here!), hit the interwebs and the band’s socials located here and here.