In a nutshell, Sparta is At The Drive In after therapy. All the anger and consequent creative genius that ATDI was known for has been identified, isolated and ejected from Sparta’s identity (sold separately as the Mars Volta). While more emotionally stable, this lack of rage has left Sparta artistically bland. Although the band’s first two albums still captured some of that fire, Sparta’s third musical effort, Threes, is a weak work of post-hardcore composition. Sparta was originally known for music that made feeling mad OK. Threes, however, feels like an album-long breath that’s never exhaled; you keep yearning for some kind of release, but the music continues to meander through stale melodies and half-hearted chords. It almost hurts to say this, but bring back the screamo, Sparta. We listen to your music so we can thrash, not sway. Grade: C
— Michelle Forelle, Muse Staff