The New Music

Let’s face it, Interpol’s move from indie label Matador to major label EMI was something most fans would like to forget. And while the band apparently has a new album in the works, it won’t be back on Matador [sigh]. So look at the debut solo album by singer/guitarist Paul Banks - or Julian Plenti as he likes to be called for the next few months – as a consolation prize then, as it sees him return to the label that not only discovered his band, but also put them on the map and turned them into one of indie rock’s biggest crossover acts.

According to Matador’s site, “from 1998 to 2003, Julian Plenti performed in and around Manhattan as an acoustic solo artist” and “in 2006 Plenti began to demo a selection of his music using Logic Pro. That selection took shape as Skyscraper.” Though it is technically a solo album, guests helping out on Julian Plenti is… Skyscraper include Ratatat’s Mike Stroud, The Occasion’s Charles Burst and Banks’s Interpol bandmate Sam Fogarino, who drums on “Games For Days” (though it’s not exactly obvious).

As with most members from well known bands who release solo efforts, Skyscraper is all about revealing what Banks is capable without Daniel Kessler, Carlos D and for 10 songs, Fogarino. Like the work of Thom Yorke, Dave Gahan and Richard Ashcroft, to name a few, Julian Plenti branches out from under Interpol’s signature sound of tight post-punk rhythms, elastic bass lines and chiming dual guitar chords.

More so than any of those other frontmen, Banks gets really ambitious, to the point where if it weren’t for his inimitable voice, you’d have no idea it’s the singer from Interpol who’s behind an album full of such idiosyncrasies and variety. “Fly As You Might” is a bizarre amalgamation of classic rock riffing and fluttering synths that chooses not to provide any real structure. “Only If You Run” sounds like another Interpol remix by Spoon’s Britt Daniel. And “Skyscraper” flirts with a modern spin on Nick Drake’s string-heavy folk.

Full of surprises, both good and not so good, if Julian Plenti proves anything it’s that Paul Banks isn’t the one in Interpol who’s fixated on brooding, atmospheric rock.

Listen to it Here

Artist: Julian Plenti
Album:Is… Skyscraper
Release Date: August 4, 2009
Label: Matador Records
Genre: Indie Rock
Author: Cam Lindsay

Track Listing:

1. Only If You Run
2. Fun That We Have
3. Skyscraper
4. Games For Days
5. Madrid Song
6. No Chance Survival
7. Unwind
8. Girl On The Sporting News
9. On The Esplanade
10. Fly As You Might
11. H

Tags: first spin, Interpol, Julian Plenti

Posted on Wednesday, July 29th, 2009 at 4:32 pm by Klye and is filed under Reviews, The New Music.

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