Another kind of review of Skyscraper, the new album of Julian Plenti aka Paul Banks

Dear Paul Banks,

I toured around the world with Interpol under your name for many years . I fought jetlag in muggy hotelrooms, signed countless autographs, have been followed by the media and played a show nearly every single night while you were having fun on the beach with topmodels.

But first of all I wrote many many songs for you and your band. Melancholy songs full of heartache, desire and letdown as it was expected from Interpol. But I can’t keep writing songs as sad as C’mere or I am going to be depressed.

It may surprise you to hear that but I have been working on my own songs for years. And now I decided to show the world that Julian Plenti is more than just his alter ego Paul Banks. After all undreamt-of possibilities open up for me as a solo artist: finally I can play around with keyboards, synthesizers and soundeffects. And I can use words that would have been out of bounds with Interpol.

Imagine a song called Fun That We Have on one of your albums! Along with those funny sounds that make the song nearly sound like a disco song. I think that would have confused the fans a little bit.
But fortunately I can finally do some brighter songs under my own name. I do think I did pretty good with Unwind. The idea of the artificial fanfare horn is simply brilliant, isn’t it?

I’ve been meaning to try out some string arrangements for ages and so I did on Skyscraper and Girl On The Sporting News. I think violin and cello are the perfect addition to my always sort of melancholy singing and they add a special grace to the songs. As if the subtle melody could break into pieces anytime.

Another benefit as a solo artist is that one doesn’t have to care about the bandmates’ wishes and can write accoustic ballads. With On The Esplanade and Madrid Song this long-held wish came true. I do have to admit that those songs turned out a little sad. Melancholy songs full of heartache, desire and letdown.
The last years seem to have shaped me very much. I am not even sure if I have written Games For Days for you or for me. It sounds pretty much like Interpol. But maybe it’s just because your drummer is supporting me on that one.

I am aware of that the media will compare my album with the work of Interpol inevitably.
Probably it will be called „the solo album of Paul Banks“. Of course there is nothing bad in profiting from your popularity. But I do hope that the listeners are willing to draw a line – accoustic and emotional. Because I think you are only able to enjoy this complex and out of the ordinary album if you are not drawing comparisons in your head all the time but make yourself free from all expectations and just get carried away with the melodies.

Love, Julian Plenti

P.S. Nevertheless I am available for a new Interpol album at any time! Bettina Koch

The user of the interpol forum rose_mary translated the original review from our German original

VÖ 31.07.09

Wunderbar! Stella 2009-08-03 20:01:47 Sehr originelle Rezension für ein in der Tat sehr schönes Album! Vielen Dank dafür. Antworten 1   0

Mischa 2009-08-07 14:47:46 Nach Reinhören in die Platte frag ich mich ja, ob da überhaupt noch ein nächstes Interpol-Album kommt. Scheint recht zufrieden damit zu sein, was er da macht, der Herr Banks. Antworten 0   0

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