Professional ratings
Review scores
Source	Rating
Allmusic	link
Austin Chronicle	link
Aversion	link
IGN	8/10 link
Pitchfork Media	6.1/10 November 10, 2006
Rocklouder	link
Spin	link
Stylus Magazine	C- October 24, 2006
Metal Hammer
Kerrang!

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. [1]

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 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."[2]

On April 9, 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 track listing, 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 Vinyl Collective, the company distributing the double LP, and are expected to ship April 19, 2008.

Side A:

Side B:

Side C:

Side D:

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

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 website, but were usually released on their MySpace page.

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Wikipedia