Paul Banks
It's hard to know what exactly would compel a modern rock band's front-man to record and release a solo album. Is there dissatisfaction with the concept of collaboration? Is he yearning to put a very personal stamp on a piece of music that is dictated by the individual and not the collective? Is the band's future in peril? All sorts of interrogatives arise, but after hearing “Julian Plenti is...Skyscraper” - the debut solo album from Interpol's Paul Banks (under the pseudonym Julian Plenti) - you can put your worries to rest.
Paul Bank's masterful craft has remained intact since he was last heard on Interpol's 2007 release, “Our Love to Admire”. This solo outing has, at times, a very similar guitar sound to the one heard on Interpol albums – an indication that Banks contributes as much to the six-string front as he does to the vocals. Overall, there are very unique and different sounds throughout the album. The presence of heavier keyboards, classical guitar and string arrangements bestow upon the album a great sense of variety and, as we've learned from albums such as “Ziggy Stardust”, variety is not a bad thing at all.
Album opener “Only if you run”, could fit comfortably on an Interpol release, with the exception of the bass which does not sound like Carlos D's usual low-end delivery. The first single “Games for days”, has the kind of chorus that one has come to expect from Banks: anthemic and uplifting with a subtle tinge of melancholy. Other songs such as “No chance survival”, “On the esplanade” and “Madrid song”, feel very much like solo album tracks due to broken-down arrangements, more focus on the vocals and a minimum of percussion.
“Julian Plenti is...Skyscraper” comes through as a well balanced album that, despite the fact that some songs were reportedly written years ago, sounds like a very cohesive collection of songs. The album's title might suggest that Banks is ambitiously trying to reach greater heights as an artist. In the end, the work speaks for itself, and it certainly appears that he has succeeded.
"Julian Plenti is...Skyscraper" is out now on Matador Records
Comments
Very cool. I had no idea Banks was doing this.
Excellent piece. Very well-researched.
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