A solo album, yet not,
Julian Plenti Is Skyscraper is the debut album from the alter ego of
Interpol's
Paul Banks. His voice has gotten richer and less forced over the years, and songs like the gently persuasive album-opener "Only If You Run" show off a softness that only surfaces occasionally in
Interpol's music. Yet "Games for Days" (which features
Interpol drummer Sam Fogarino and producer Peter Katis) turns romantic intrigue and roaring guitars into an epic track that would have been a standout on
Our Love to Admire. More often than not,
Julian Plenti Is Skyscraper takes the scenic route, and it pays off with an intimate, subtle set of songs that are strong in their own right. ~ Heather Phares