Threes (album)

Infobox Album
Name = Threes
Type = Album
Artist = Sparta

| Released = October 24, 2006 (US)
April 5, 2007 (Germany)
April 23, 2007 (Europe)
Recorded = March - June 2006, Robert Lang Studios, Seattle, Washington
Genre = Rock, Alternative rock
Length = 49:24
Label = Hollywood Records, ANTI-
Producer = Dave Bassett
Mixed = Mike Major and Brian Malout
Reviews = * Allmusic Rating|4|5 [http://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=10:frx8b594csqj link]
*"Austin Chronicle" Rating|1|5 [http://www.austinchronicle.com/gyrobase/Issue/review?oid=oid%3A413999 link]
*Aversion Rating|3|5 [http://www.aversion.com/bands/reviews.cfm?f_id=2826 link]
*IGN (8/10) [http://music.ign.com/articles/741/741234p1.html link]
*Pitchfork Media (6.1/10) [http://www.pitchforkmedia.com/article/record_review/39465-threes November 10, 2006]
*Rocklouder Rating|3|5 [http://www.rocklouder.co.uk/articles/2846.html link]
*Spin Rating|3|5 [http://www.spin.com/reviews/2006/10/061030_sparta link]
*Stylus Magazine (C-) [http://www.stylusmagazine.com/reviews/sparta/threes.htm October 24, 2006]
* Metal Hammer rating-10|5
* Kerrang!Rating|3|5
Last album = "Live At La Zona Rosa 03/19/2004" (2004)
This album = "Threes" (2006)
Next album = TBA

"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. [http://www.myspace.com/sparta]

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 of 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." [http://www.absolutepunk.net/showthread.php?t=188192]

On April 9th, 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 [http://www.vinylcollective.com/ Vinyl Collective] , the company distributing the double LP, and are expected to ship April 19th, 2008.

Track listing

#"Untreatable Disease" - 3:19
#"Crawl" - 3:54
#"Unstitch Your Mouth" - 3:07
#"Taking Back Control" - 3:41
#"Erase It Again" - 3:37
#"Atlas" - 4:30
#"The Most Vicious Crime" - 6:20
#"False Start" 3:51
#"Weather the Storm" - 4:43
#"Red.Right.Return. (Straight In Our Hands)" - 4:30
#"Without a Sound" - 3:18
#"Translations" - 4:33

Bonus Tracks

* "Blood Spills" (iTunes/Japan Bonus Track) - 3:44
* "As Far As We Go" (FYE/Japan Bonus Track) - 3:37
* "Born and Buried" (European Bonus Track) - 3:03

Double Vinyl Tracklisting

Side A:
#"The Most Vicious Crime"
#"Burn and Buried"
#"Crawl"
#"Red.Right.Return. (Straight In Our Hands)"Side B:
#"Weather the Storm"
#"Without a Sound"
#"Erase It Again"
#"False Start"Side C:
#"Untreatable Disease"
#"Taking Back Control"
#"Blood Spills"
#"As Far As We Go"Side D:
#"Unstitch Your Mouth"
#"Translations"
#"Atlas"

Contributing Artists

*Sparta - Primary Artist
*Merry Clayton - Background Vocals on 'Atlas' and 'Translations'
*Chris Henrich - Pedal Steel Guitar
*Keeley Davis - Guitar, Vocals
*Tony Hajjar - Drums
* Matt Miller - Bass, Backup Vocals
* Jim Ward - Guitar, Vocals

Technical Credits

*Liz Smith - Guitar Technician
*Joe Chiccarelli - Engineer
*Alan Yoshida - Mastering
*Dave Bassett - Producer, Engineer
*Greg Keplinger - Drum Technician
*Ray Wallace - Paintings
*Jared Kvitka - Assistant Engineer
*George Gumbs - Engineer
*Erik Ron - Digital Editing
*Geert Teuwen - Cover Photo

Buildup and Release

Prior to the release, the band released a variety of statements, videos and other information for fans.

Podcasts

Podcasts by the band, released at irregular intervals and featuring a variety of homemade footage of them in studio and at other locations were made available to fans. They can be seen on their [http://www.spartamusic.com website] , but were usually released on their [http://www.myspace.com/sparta MySpace] page.

Personal Message

The band released a message to fans prior to the release of the album, thanking them for their support and kind words. It is currently available for viewing on the Sparta [http://www.myspace.com/sparta MySpace] .

Music Videos

The music video for the single "Taking Back Control" was released on Yahoo Music in mid-October 2006. It can still be viewed for free on this [http://music.yahoo.com/ar-292054-videos--Sparta website] . The music video for the second single, "Erase It Again", can be viewed through the band's website.

Website Redesign

An entirely redesigned website was launched just prior to the release of "Threes". The site starts with a splash screen incorporating elements from the Eme Nakia film, Threes, and the individual band members. Sections included on the site include News, Tour, Media, Store, Contact and links to the fan run community Without a Sound as well as a signup page for the Sparta mailing list.

Album Versions

According the their official website, several different versions of the album were made available, depending on where they were purchased. Albums bought from Best Buy include a DVD with the short film Eme Nakia. Many independent record stores gave away limited edition Lithograph posters with painted portraits of Jim, Matt, Tony and Keely.

FYE albums included a bonus CD with an unreleased Sparta track titled "As Far As We Go" with each purchase. Purchasing the entire album on iTunes also includes a bonus track titled "Blood Spills".