Sparta is back with its first album in 14 years, and kids, Trust The River (Dine Alone) was worth the wait. Clocking in at a lean, mean half-hour, the fourth LP from Jim Ward and Co. showcases his growth as a songwriter, incorporating the post-hardcore of Ward’s former band At The Drive-In, the alt-country of his Sleepercar project and a pop-rock veneer that would sound great in an arena, especially now that we’re all stuck at home. (Speaking of which: If you missed the three online shows that Ward did to promote Trust The River, he compiled the “best versions” of the songs and made an album out of them called 11 Hour World Tour, available for $5 on Bandcamp.) Trust The River is the sound of Sparta taking back control.
