Porcelain (Sparta album)

Porcelain is the second studio album by the American rock band Sparta, released on July 13, 2004, through DreamWorks Records. The album marked a departure from the band's earlier, more aggressive post-hardcore sound towards a more melodic and emotionally driven alternative rock style.

Porcelain was produced by Gil Norton, known for his work with bands such as Pixies and Foo Fighters. The production contributed to the album's polished sound, emphasizing vocal melodies and layered instrumentation.

The album's themes delve into personal struggles, relationships, and the complexities of life. Clay formed Sparta after the breakup of At the Drive-In and Porcelain reflects the evolution of his songwriting and the band's overall direction.

Singles released from Porcelain included "Breaking This Machine" and "While Oceana Sleeps." These tracks achieved moderate success on alternative rock radio, helping to broaden Sparta's audience.

Upon its release, Porcelain received generally positive reviews from critics, who praised its songwriting maturity and polished production. Some critics, however, noted the album's shift away from the band's earlier sound and expressed mixed opinions about the change in direction. Commercially, Porcelain performed decently, reaching a respectable position on the Billboard 200 chart.