The first solo album by Julian Plenti (aka, Paul Banks lead singer/guitarist for Interpol) finds Plenti/Banks straying away from the formula which has resulted in so much career success for him and his New York bandmates. The first thing that stands out upon listening to Julian Plenti Is...Skyscraper is the fact that Banks does not sing in the post-punk baritone so commonly associated with his Interpol persona. Throughout the album's run, Plenti/Banks utilizes more subdued vocals, incorporates strings (as well as predominately acoustic arrangements), Grandaddy-esque synths ("Unwind" especially sounds like the Grandaddy song that never was), and even the occasional horn section. However, things never really come fully together (album-wise). A solid opener in "Only If You Run" (which acknowledges right away that this is NOT an Interpol album) segues into predominately acoustic numbers ("Skyscraper") as well as just generally slower paced tracks. The albums final tracks borrow more from the neo-folk, singularly plucked acoustic guitar (including some upright bass of the dreamy "No Chance Survival") trend of late than Interpol's post-punk influences. If Plenti/Banks set out to distance himself from the Interpol sound, he accomplished that; however, if he were trying to create something truly innovative and special...well, perhaps next time Skyscraper.
3.3/5.0
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