Sleepercar — West Texas

West Texas

Civil Defense League

Shehzaad Jiwani (CHARTattack)

05/06/2008 9:40am

Usually when members of loud rock bands announce that they're venturing into solo territory, it's all City And Colour-style emotional acoustic albums that show an artist's softer side. Sleepercar, better known as the side-project of Sparta frontman and ex-At The Drive-In guitarist Jim Ward, is certainly turned down a few notches from the abrasive post-hardcore the singer is known for, but definitely doesn't follow the whole softie route. For one, Ward's backed by a full band, and the songs are far more upbeat than most would expect. The group follows a pretty straightforward alt.country blueprint, and lap steel and marching rhythms abound, but Ward's penchant for stratospheric melodies puts them closer to Attack In Black than Wilco. As solo outings go, this is one Sparta fans shouldn't mind Ward spending a bit more time with in the future.

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